5000 years ago, the ancient Slavonians of Vučedol brewed their beer just like their Sumerian counterparts.

Written by: Mislav Pavošević

If you google "Slavonia and Baranja" in search of ideas for a trip, the top results will be about its acclaimed cuisine, and among them those about the region’s wines. And this is indeed Slavonia and Baranja, a region where good food is served and which is home to the three oldest and largest Croatian wineries. But hidden in the voids of Google, in the shade of vines, lie a few fun facts about local and craft beers.

5000 years ago, the ancient Slavonians of Vučedol brewed their beer just like their Sumerian counterparts. Historians claim that from ancient times people knew exactly where beer was brewed by the wild hops wrapped around the yard fence. It is thus not surprising that modern beer production in Croatia officially started here, more precisely in Osijek, in 1697, when beer was taxed for the first time.

After the private production of beer almost disappeared in the second half of the 20th century due to socio-political circumstances, a great renaissance of home breweries and small artisanal craft breweries happened at the beginning of the new century. Nowadays, there are four in Osijek-Baranja County, with at least one other about to open. Each one deserves a few pages, but let us first present them together, as follows:

Osijek Brewery Osječka pivovara

Along with bottled light and dark lager beer and Croatia's favourite Black Radler, be sure to try the unfiltered Osječko. You can find it in Beertija next to the Osijek co-cathedral or in the old town, in Runda on the European Avenue, in Rubicon near the train station, in a number of other restaurants and cafes, and during summer at the locals’ favourite sandy beach known as Copacabana or Kopika, in the Bajta beach bar - www.pivovara.hr

Beckers

Head to the General von Beckers pub at Osijek's Holy Trinity square to try one of their excellent beers: Pale Ale, Komancheros (Kölsch type of beer), Session IPA or Mangulica (Schwarzbier/black lager), named after the plate’s favourite black Slavonian pig. A fun aspect in these pubs are the guided beer tastings, modelled after wine tastings, which we suggest you sign up for right away. In addition to the Beckers pub and the Kopika beach bar, you can find their beers in the Gajba beer tasting room in Sunčana Street - www.facebook.com/beckersbrewery

Black Hat

Đakovo, a town surrounded by hundred-year-old diocese vineyards, is heaven for beer lovers as well - Black Hat Brewery invests all their love into their Blond Ale, Black IPA, Munja (AmberAle) and festival beer Spakovo (DDH Pale Ale). Look for Black Hat beer at pizzeria Lipizzano, Larisa bar, Camp Borovik and Hotel Đakovo - www.facebook.com/BlackHatCraftBrewery

Stric Craft Brewery

Đakovo, a town surrounded by hundred-year-old diocese vineyards, is heaven for beer lovers as well - Black Hat Brewery invests all their love into their Blond Ale, Black IPA, Munja (AmberAle) and festival beer Spakovo (DDH Pale Ale). Look for Black Hat beer at pizzeria Lipizzano, Larisa bar, Camp Borovik and Hotel Đakovo - FB Stric Craft Brewery

Pivara

Watch out now - in the cradle of Croatian winemaking, at the foot of Bansko hill, which the ancient Romans still considered golden, there is soon to be a brewery. For now, named Pivara (The Brewery), after the hill where malting barley used to be grown, this craft brewery in the village of Karanac in Baranja will open its doors in the spring of 2025. We know we can’t wait.

In addition to the abovementioned five, there are a number of other master brewers in the region, giving you a chance to try local craft beer in almost every major city. And if you prefer to taste them all in one place, we suggest that you plan your visit to Slavonia and Baranja during its beer festivals: Osijek CraftBeer festival (May 9-10, 2025), Našice CraftBeer festival (August), Dani prvog hrvatskog piva Days of the first Croatian beer (September), Đakovo CraftBeer festival (September), Valpovo CraftBeer festival (September), HeadOnEast Festival (October 3-5, 2025) i Home Brew Festival Hombre (October).

Cheers!

DOES BEER MAKE US FAT?

Osijek's ideal (beer) measures testify to the fact that this is just a myth. While the 90-60-90 ratio may be valid in the fashion world, 90-90-90 is much more preferable in the city of the first Croatian beer! The city is located at 90 metres above sea level, its highest point is +90 m, which is the height of the Osijek co-cathedral tower, while the lowest point in the city is -90 m, the depth of the Osijek brewery water well.