Beer from the land of hops

There are as many types of beer as there are desires for originality

All who seek tradition in Slovenia order Union and Laško. All who seek something special enjoy the flavours of various craft beers.

In Slovenia, you can taste everything from bottom-fermented to top-fermented beers, from lagers to various ale-type beers. Union and Laško are traditionally popular brands, while beers from microbreweries may be found in selected pubs and at various events.

In Slovenia, beer has become an increasingly interesting culinary ingredient that chefs incorporate into their dishes. Similar may be said about hops whose extensive plantations and specialities may be discovered in the Savinja Valley. You may taste various beers and beer-related treats at numerous gastronomic events.

Discover the stories of the first two brewing towns on guided tours, tastings, and special experiences

See how beer is made, visit a brewery, escape from the first beer-themed escape room in the world.

Formerly rival breweries in Laško and Ljubljana are now one company, and their past stories and influences on the surroundings are a source of various experiences.

There is a large pub next to Union Brewery almost in the centre of Ljubljana, which you can check out on guided tours. The speciality of the pub, which offers food and drinks, is the Union Brewery Selection – beer that is brewed each month especially for the brewery. The Brewery Museum is the starting point of the Union Experience guided tour.

The stories of Laško Brewery, established in 1825, are part of the special features and experiences of Laško, a spa town. They are also included in the largest festival in Slovenia – the Beer and Flowers Festival.

Many beers in the world taste at least a little bit like Slovenia. It is provided by Slovenian indigenous hop varieties

The Savinja Valley is deemed the Valley of Green Gold – hops. Its capital is Žalec, the town with the world’s first beer fountain.

You can pour various beers with Savinja Valley hops from the fountain in the centre of Žalec , and discover stories of one of the largest hop production areas in the world. The Eco-Museum of Hop-Growing and Brewing Industry is nearby. Hiking and biking trails wind around the hop plantations. Local providers captivate with hop-based cuisine.

Try hop-based dishes inspired by the snacks of former hop pickers

Dishes like Pickers’ Lunch, HopBurger, and barley risotto may be washed down with Kukec, the Savinja Valley beer.

The beer is named after Simon Kukec, the beginner of hop-growing in the Savinja Valley and the father of brewing in nearby Laško. Light and dark lager can be found at the Eco-Museum of Hop-Growing and Brewing Industry and certain other local providers. You can also choose a set to brew beer at home – with hops from the Savinja Valley, of course.

Beer

You can buy beers of different brands and flavours in specialist shops, and experience them on a guided tour for beer lovers.

Brewing is booming in Slovenia, which means that tomorrow’s most sought beers might be brewing right now. The most known beers are Pelicon, HumanFish, Lobik, Tektonik, Reservoir dogs, Mali grad, and numerous others you may also get at top pubs. There are breweries all around Slovenia, and Kamnik is among the towns with the most breweries.

You can taste local beers in many places. Ljubljana, in particular, offers guided tours for beer lovers. Experiences are provided by, for example, Beer Tasting Ljubljana and LjubljanaNjam.

Events and festivals are excellent opportunities to taste beer and beer-related cuisine

Events where the diversity of beer and accompanying dishes are organised around Slovenia.

Pivo&Burger Fest in Ljubljana, Pivo Fest in Krvavec, Makro Beer Fest in Maribor, Savinja Beer Fest in Mozirje, Pivomanija in Ajdovščina, the Beer & Sausage Festival in the tunnels under old Kranj, Brežice Beer Fest, and microbreweries’ events around Slovenia are just some of the opportunities for you to learn about Slovenian craft beers.