Discovering My Favorite Latvian Beer: Valmiermuižas

If you’re a beer aficionado or simply someone who appreciates unique craft brews, let me introduce you to a hidden gem from Latvia: Valmiermuižas (pronounced VAL-meer-MWOY-zhahs). Unfortunately, for reasons I can’t quite grasp, this remarkable beer isn’t available for export, not even to Western Europe.

During my three-year stay in Riga, I developed a deep appreciation for Valmiermuižas. To describe my relationship with this beer as “frequent” would be an understatement; I was undeniably a loyal patron. Since then, I’ve explored different parts of Europe, including Italy and Germany, and each time I’ve attempted to acquire some of this delightful brew to no avail. The shipping costs are astronomical, often reaching into the hundreds of dollars for just a case. Perhaps one day I’ll have the financial freedom to indulge in such luxuries, but that day isn’t here yet.

This post serves to showcase the brilliance of Valmiermuižas and to urge fellow beer lovers who visit Latvia—and possibly Estonia—to seek it out and experience its exquisite flavor.

As I prepare for my move back to the United States in a few months, I can’t help but feel a tinge of sadness about the likely impossibility of finding my beloved Valmiermuižas stateside. If I struggled to source it while living in Germany, I’m highly skeptical that I’ll find it in the U.S.

So, if you ever find yourself in Latvia, do indulge in a glass (or two) of Valmiermuižas; your taste buds will thank you! Cheers to discovering new flavors and the bittersweet nature of unattainable brews.