The Best Beers to Try in Latvia During Radiodays Europe 2026

Key Takeaways:

• Traditional vs. Craft: Traditional Latvian beer is sweet and unfiltered, while the booming Baltic craft scene focuses on heavily hopped IPAs and sours.
• What to Order: Skip the global lagers and order local craft favorites from breweries like Labietis or Malduguns to impress your hosts.
• The Best Beer Bar: Head to Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs in the Old Town, a medieval underground cellar boasting 27+ local beers on tap.

Latvians are quiet people. We don't talk much. But if you put a beer in our hand, we will talk for hours.

Beer (Alus) is not just a drink here; it is a religion. We have been brewing it since the 13th century, long before the German crusaders showed up and tried to tell us how to do it.

While you are at Radiodays Europe, you are going to see a lot of beer menus. You might recognize "Heineken" or "Carlsberg." Do not order them. You are in one of the best brewing nations in Northern Europe. Ordering a Heineken in Riga is like ordering a Domino's pizza in Naples.

Here is a short history lesson—and a shopping list—for your week in Riga.

A Brief History of Thirst (The Pagan Roots)

Unlike the Germans (who love purity laws) or the Belgians (who love monks), Latvian brewing roots are Pagan.

For centuries, ancient Latvians brewed beer using whatever grew in the forest—yarrow, meadowsweet, wormwood, and honey. It wasn't just for getting drunk; it was used in rituals to honor deities like Jumis (the god of fertility).

Even today, the "Craft Beer" scene in Latvia isn't just about IPAs. It’s about reviving these ancient herbal recipes. If you drink a beer here that tastes slightly like a pine forest or a meadow, that’s not an accident. That’s history.

The "Must-Try" List

1. The "Fancy" Lager: Valmiermuiža

• Style: Amber Lager / Dark Lager
• Verdict: The Gold Standard.
• The Story: If you go to a nice restaurant, this is what you order. It is brewed slowly in a historic manor house.
• Taste: It’s not a watery pilsner. It has a rich, caramel backbone but finishes crisp.
• What to order: Valmiermuižas Gaišais (Light) or Tumšais (Dark). Both are masterpieces.

2. The "Pagan" Craft: Labietis

• Style: Herbal / Experimental
• Verdict: Unique to Latvia.
• The Story: These guys are modern wizards. They use local herbs (yarrow, thyme, meadowsweet) instead of just hops.
• What to order:
• "Mežs" (Forest): A Juniper Red Ale. Tastes like drinking a pine tree (in a good way).
• "Rasele" (Dew): A light session ale brewed with yarrow.

3. The "Local Legend": Tērvetes

• Style: Pale Lager
• Verdict: The People’s Champion.
• The Story: This is the beer you buy at the supermarket for a BBQ. It is widely considered the best "mass-produced" beer in the country. It is unpretentious, honest, and consistently delicious.
• Tip: If you see it in a brown glass bottle, buy it.

4. The "Dangerous" One: Brenguļu

• Style: Unfiltered / Unpasteurized
• Verdict: Sweet, strong, and deadly.
• The Story: This beer is usually only sold on draft because it is "live" (unpasteurized). It is cloudy, very sweet, and hits you much harder than the 5.5% on the label suggests.
• Where to find it: LIDO often serves it, or specialty beer shops. Two pints of this and you will be speaking fluent Latvian.

The "Spotwise" Taste Test

Reading about beer is fine. Drinking it is better.

We know you are busy running between sessions at the ATTA Centre. You might not have time to hunt down a bottle of Valmiermuiža.

So we brought the beer to you.

Stop by the Spotwise Booth during the Happy Hour (or... anytime, really). We have stocked our fridge with a curated selection of our favorite local brews—including some of the ones listed above.

Come for the Real-Time Ad Monitoring demo. Stay for the free Valmiermuiža.

Priekā! (Cheers!)

- Roberts

Read more :

The "Morning After" Guide: Best Hangover Breakfasts in Riga

The "Real" Food Guide to Riga: Where Locals Actually Eat

FAQ

What is traditional Latvian beer?

Traditional Latvian beer is often unfiltered, cloudy, and slightly sweet, completely different from modern IPAs or commercial lagers.

Where is the best place to drink beer in Riga?

Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs in the Old Town offers one of the largest selections of local draft beers in the city.

Do Latvians brew craft beer?

Yes, the Baltic craft beer scene is exploding, with local microbreweries producing world-class IPAs, stouts, and sours.

How do you say "Cheers" in Latvian?

The traditional Latvian toast is "Priekā!" (meaning "To Joy!"). Always maintain eye contact when clinking glasses.

Will Spotwise have beer at their RDE 2026 booth?

Yes, the Spotwise booth on the exhibition floor will be fully stocked with cold, local Latvian beer for attendees.