Discovering Valmiermuižas: A Craft Beer Lover’s Dream

If you’re a fan of craft beers, let me introduce you to a hidden gem from Latvia: Valmiermuižas (pronounced VAL-meer-MWOY-zhahs). This exceptional brew is one of the country’s finest, yet inexplicably, it remains elusive, with no exports reaching even the western edges of Europe.

My journey with Valmiermuižas began years ago when I called Riga home for three transformative years. During this time, I became a devoted admirer of this local brew—so much so that describing my fondness for it as mere “regular consumption” would be an understatement. Having since resided in Italy and Germany, I found myself searching high and low for any opportunity to get my hands on some of this remarkable beer. Unfortunately, my attempts to secure shipments have been met with steep prices that left my budget in shock—think hundreds of dollars for a single case. For now, indulging my palate remains a distant dream, but perhaps one day, I’ll have the financial means to treat myself.

The primary purpose of this post is to bring attention to this outstanding craft beer and to passionately urge fellow beer enthusiasts who find themselves touring Latvia (and possibly Estonia) to seek it out and savor its unique flavors.

As I prepare for my upcoming move back to the United States, my hopes of obtaining Valmiermuižas continue to dwindle. If I struggled to find a source in Germany, I can only imagine how challenging it will be to find it across the Atlantic. So, if you’re planning a trip to Latvia, make it a mission to discover Valmiermuižas—your taste buds will thank you!