A gift from the gods: how beer appeared and why festivals are dedicated to it

The history of beer is inextricably linked with the development of the first civilizations and the establishment of agriculture. The first beer probably appeared by accident, due to the naturally occurring fermentation process of the grains trapped in the water. Today, it is not only a traditional drink for many countries, but also an important part of the global economy. About how ancient people accidentally discovered beer, what influence Peter I had on the development of the industry in Russia, how Prohibition developed the production of non—alcoholic beer in the USA, how the wedding of the Bavarian prince influenced the emergence of thematic festivals and what to do at the first Baltika Fest festival - in the Izvestia material.

The history of beer development in the world

The history of beer goes back to ancient times. The first evidence of the foam drink dates back to the 10th-9th millennia BC. The Sumerians, who inhabited ancient Mesopotamia (in modern Iraq, Syria and Turkey), brewed beer from barley and wheat. This is confirmed by various archaeological finds, such as clay vessels with wort remains dating back to the 7th millennium BC.

The Sumerians experimented with different cereals, and also added various herbs, spices, fruits and honey to beer. But it was barley beer that became an integral part of the culture of the peoples of ancient Mesopotamia.

In ancient Egypt, beer was also revered, moreover, it was considered a divine gift from the god Osiris. The drink was drunk by representatives of all walks of life. Taxes were collected with beer, they paid for the work done, and it was brought as a gift to the gods.

Beer became popular in Europe in the Middle Ages, primarily in monasteries. The monks added hops to the drink to give it a little bitterness and extend its shelf life. By the 12th century, beer had spread everywhere in Germany and Belgium, the first brewers' guilds appeared, and the drink itself became an important export commodity.

The Beer Purity Law of 1516 in Bavaria fixed the main ingredients: only water, barley and hops could be used to produce a foamy drink. In Modern times, the sunny drink has spread all over the world: the British brought ale to America and Australia, the Dutch to Africa and Southeast Asia.

The history of brewing in Russia

Beer has been known in Russia since about the 10th century. Our ancestors brewed a foamy drink from malt, bread and honey, and called it "beer" from the word "drink". It was used in rituals, it was served at feasts and, of course, it was widely used in everyday life. By the 15th century, breweries appeared in monasteries, and under Tsar Ivan the Terrible, beer production began to be strictly regulated.

The real heyday of brewing occurred in the XVIII century. Emperor Peter I, inspired by his journey through Europe, invited foreign craftsmen to Russia and built factories. He even introduced the fashion for beer at court. Under Peter, the quality standards of this drink also arose, innovations definitely improved its taste. And many people thought that the "new" Russian beer was a very serious competitor to the European one.

Later, under Catherine II, large breweries began to be built in Russia. In the first half of the 19th century, breweries were actively multiplying: in the 1860s, there were already about 200 of them.

Baltika, one of the market leaders with a share of almost 30%, and the leading Russian beer exporter, occupies a special place in the modern history of Russian brewing.

The company's journey began in 1978 with the construction of a factory in Leningrad. In 1990, the state enterprise Baltika Brewery was founded, and in November of the same year the first batch of 27 thousand liters of beer was released. At that time, there was no single Baltika brand, the company's products were produced under the brands Zhigulevskoye, Rizhskoye, Admiralteiskoye, and Festive.

The company grew rapidly, and in 1992 it launched its own brand, Baltika. The company produced 500 million liters of beverages annually. Today, the company produces billions of liters of beverage every year. Including non-alcoholic beer.

The history of the development of non-alcoholic beer

Non-alcoholic beer has become a response to the challenges of the time and has emerged as an alternative to classic beer. It preserves the taste, but does not give intoxication. Its mass production started in the 20th century. The key impetus was prohibition in the United States. Brewers have adapted to the stringent requirements and have learned how to create beer with a low alcohol content. Nevertheless, after the abolition of prohibition, the demand for such a drink remained.

Modern non-alcoholic beer appeared in the 1970s. The first commercial version was brewed in Czechoslovakia.

Technologies have gradually developed: vacuum distillation removes alcohol after fermentation, special yeast does not produce it, or fermentation is interrupted at an early stage. By the 1980s, non-alcoholic beer began to be actively sold in Europe and the United States, and as a target audience they focused on supporters of healthy lifestyle, drivers and athletes. Today, the segment is growing: according to the analytical company IWSR, sales of non-alcoholic beer in the world increased by 6% in 2023 due to healthy lifestyle trends. In Islamic countries, it is popular as a halal drink.

Non-alcoholic beer has been gaining momentum in Russia since the 1990s, when the market opened up to innovation. Baltika became a pioneer in this segment: in 2001, the company launched Baltika 0. It was the first mass-produced non-alcoholic beer in the country. The company gradually developed the segment by introducing different flavors.

Beer Festival Culture

Beer festivals originated first as a way to celebrate the end of the harvest, and then ceased to be an important channel of promotion. The first such events appeared in the 19th century.

The most famous beer festival is Oktoberfest in Munich. It started in 1810 on the occasion of the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Theresa. Initially, it was horse racing and festivities in the meadow, but beer quickly took the center stage at this secular celebration. Today, the festival lasts 16-18 days in September-October and attracts about 6-7 million guests. During this time, visitors drink up to 7 million liters of beer. Oktoberfest is not only about tastings, but also colorful theatrical processions, performances by national orchestras and much more.

In the twentieth century, beer-related festival culture spread all over the world. The holiday began to be widely celebrated in England, Belgium, China and Russia.

In September 2025, Baltika is hosting the Baltika Fest food festival in honor of its 35th anniversary. The vibrant event will combine gastronomy, music, and outdoor cultural entertainment. The festival will be held at the motorhome "Igor Drive" on September 13. There are many activities in the program: gastro shows, master classes, interactive zones. Famous artists such as Marie Crymbreri, Disco Accident and Chaif are also scheduled to perform. The organizers remind you that only persons over the age of 18 can attend the food festival. Tickets for Baltika Fest can be purchased on the official website.