The first edition of Latviabeerfest took place on September 3 and 4, 2011 at the Swedish Gate. It featured over 40 beer brands offered by both local and foreign manufacturers. The Brengulu beer was acknowledged as the best beer of the year. The first festival was a success so it was decided to make it an annual event.
The second Latviabeerfest was held in May 2012 in Vērmanes Garden, Riga’s oldest public garden. It has been a springtime event ever since. Latviabeerfest is an international beer festival, it features over 200 beer kinds from both Latvian and European breweries and more than a half of the attendees are from abroad.
It offers breweries from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, the Czech Republic and other countries a great opportunity to showcase their finest products to a wide audience of beer lovers from all over the country and abroad.
Latviabeerfest runs over several days in May, serving about 60 tons of beer every year. As of 2017, tickets cost 2 EUR. Unlike most festivals of its kind, Riga’s beer festival doesn’t have a token system for beer tasting, attendees can pay for all beers in cash. However, it does have a signature tasting glass.
The program of the festival includes beer tastings, lots of delicious food (including Latvian delicacies), games and contests, music and dance performances, street gymnasts, comedians, strength competitions, parties, arts & crafts market, and more. The event traditionally kicks off with a symbolic opening of a giant beer barrel.
The festival also hosts Baltic Beer Star, an annual brewing industry that runs concurrently with Lavtiabeerfest. The conference offers a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and experience as well as to establish new business contacts.
