A. Le Coq Premium Beer Review - A Symbol Of Estonian Independence

October 14, 2022 Cameron Mackenzie

A.le Coq is Estonias’s largest and oldest beer manufacturer, with its history starting all the way back in 1800. The company we know today has had a rocky road; having survived both world wars and being brought under two of history’s most infamous regimes. Originally, the company was an amalgamation of three separate entities, these being: BJ Hesse’s Brewery, Tivoli and A.Le Coq. By 1912 all three of these companies had combined to become the A.Le Coq company and in the same year the business was granted the title of the official supplier of the Russians Emperor’s Court.

From this period of 1912 until present day (2022), Estonia fell under Hitler’s Nazi regime and Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union. Estonia remained as part of the USSR up until 1991 when it’s independence was officially recognised by the regime. It was only after this point that private businesses were allowed to flourish once more. From the onset of WW1 until this period, the A. Le Coq business had been nationalised multiple times and subordinated. It was in 1995 when the business was privatised once more and the original name was restored to it. By 2002 A. Le Coq became the leading producer of beverages in Estonia. Their portfolio has grown to include many different products like energy drinks, cider, corn beer, syrup and many more.

It’s no surprise that Estonia’s favourite brand is also the most widely available. You’ll find a wide selection of A. Le Coq products in the shops, some of these include:

A. Le Coq Premium
A. Le Coq Premium Nippel
A. Le Coq Premium Select
A. Le Coq 1
A. Le Coq Pilsner
A. Le Coq Special
Alexander
Alexander Premium
Hoggy’s
Fizz

The beer itself is very inoffensive, placid almost. It pours with a very pale straw colour and holds a very small head. The aromas are also quite neutral, with only a select few being picked up. Grassy hops, hay and a slight sweetness can be detected when the beer is smelled. The neutrality carrier over to the taste too; the beer is slightly watery, making it very easy to drink, with slight hints of sweetness and a faint bitter aftertaste. This is all accompanied by a very light carbonation and a subsequently soft mouth feel.

A pretty standard bulk beer by most standards but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad beer by any stretch of the imagination. It’s perfectly serviceable and would certainly go down well on a hot day. If you’re in Tallinn or Estonia in general I’d recommend picking some up, it’s worth a try. As they say, when in Rome.

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