Today in 2006, Montenegro gained their Independence from Serbia by referendum.
Montenegro
Montenegro Breweries
Montenegro Brewery Guides
Other Guides
Guild: None Known
National Regulatory Agency: None
Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known
Drunk Driving Laws: BAC N/A
- Full Name: Montenegro
- Location: Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
- Government Type: Republic
- Language: Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified (includes Croatian) 3.7%
- Religion(s): Orthodox 74.2%, Muslim 17.7%, Catholic 3.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 3%, atheist 1%
- Capital: Podgorica
- Population: 657,394; 167th
- Area: 13,812 sq km, 162nd
- Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Connecticut
- National Food: Kačamak, Raštan
- National Symbols: Montenegrin Mountain Hound; Double-headed eagle
- Affiliations: UN
- Independence: From Serbia, May 21, 2006 / The status of the union between Montenegro and Serbia was decided by the referendum on Montenegrin independence on May 21, 2006 and Statehood Day is celebrated on July 13.
- Alcohol Legal: Yes
- Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy)
- BAC: N/A
- Label Requirements: N/A
- Number of Breweries: 1
- How to Say “Beer”: pivo
- How to Order a Beer: Yed-no pee-vo, mo-lim
- How to Say “Cheers”: Ziveli (zjee-ve-lee, “let’s live long”) / Zivio Ziveli
- Toasting Etiquette: N/A
Alcohol Consumption By Type:
- Beer: N/A
- Wine: N/A
- Spirits: N/A
- Other: N/A
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):
- Recorded: N/A
- Unrecorded: N/A
- Total: N/A
- Beer: N/A
WHO Alcohol Data:
- Per Capita Consumption: N/A
- Alcohol Consumption Trend: N/A
- Excise Taxes: N/A
- Minimum Age: 18
- Sales Restrictions: N/A
- Advertising Restrictions: N/A
- Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: N/A
Patterns of Drinking Score: N/A
Prohibition: None
Today in 1877, România gained their Independence from the Ottoman Empire.
România
România Breweries
România Brewery Guides
Other Guides
Guild: None Known
National Regulatory Agency: None
Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known
Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.00%
- Full Name: Romania
- Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
- Government Type: Republic
- Language: Romanian (official) 91%, Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
- Religion(s): Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1%
- Capital: Bucharest
- Population: 21,848,504; 56th
- Area: 238,391 sq km, 83rd
- Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Oregon
- National Food: Mămăligă, Ciorbă de burtă
- National Symbols: Golden Eagle; Dog rose
- Affiliations: UN, EU, NATO
- Independence: From the Ottoman Empire, May 9, 1877
- Alcohol Legal: Yes
- Minimum Drinking Age: None (to drink); 18 (to buy) [Note: According to law 61/1991 updated in 2008, paragraphs 21-25, it is illegal to serve or sell alcohol to minors. The law also imposes restrictions on serving or selling alcohol in some public locations (parks, hospitals, schools, stadiums, airports, public transport, etc.) or during certain events (strikes, public meetings, sport events, etc.)]
- BAC: 0.00%
- Label Requirements: N/A
- Number of Breweries: 20
- How to Say “Beer”: bere
- How to Order a Beer: Oh beh-reh ver rohg
- How to Say “Cheers”: Noroc (“good luck”) / Pentru sanatatea dunneavoastra
- Toasting Etiquette: N/A
Alcohol Consumption By Type:
- Beer: 39%
- Wine: 22%
- Spirits: 39%
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):
- Recorded: 11.30
- Unrecorded: 4.00
- Total: 15.30
- Beer: 4.07
WHO Alcohol Data:
- Per Capita Consumption: 11.3 litres
- Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
- Excise Taxes: Yes
- Minimum Age: 18
- Sales Restrictions: Location, specific events
- Advertising Restrictions: Yes
- Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No
Patterns of Drinking Score: 3
Prohibition: None
Today in 1945, The Netherlands were liberated from Nazi Germany.
Netherlands
Netherlands or Dutch Breweries
Netherlands Brewery Guides
Other Guides
Guild: Centraal Brouwerij Kantoor
National Regulatory Agency: Not Known
Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: See European Union requirements
Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%
- Full Name: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
- Government Type: Constitutional monarchy
- Language: Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
- Religion(s): Roman Catholic 30%, Protestant 20% (Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%), Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42%
- Capital: Amsterdam
- Population: 16,730,632; 64th
- Area: 41,543 sq km, 135th
- Comparative Area: Slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
- National Food: Stamppot, Hutspot
- National Symbol: Lion; Tulip; Willibrord; Windmills
- Affiliations: UN, EU, NATO
- Independence: Liberated From Nazi Germany, May 5, 1945 / 23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)
- Alcohol Legal: Yes
- Minimum Drinking Age: 16 (under 15% ABV); 18 (15% ABV and over) [Note: If the person is under the age of 20, an identity card has to be shown before buying. Drinking in public is banned by local ordinance in most municipalities. Selling alcohol to underage customers carries a fine of €900–3,600.]
- BAC: 0.05%, 0.02% for drivers with less than 5 years’ experience
- Number of Breweries: 117
- How to Say “Beer”: bier
- How to Order a Beer: Un beer, ahls-yer-bleeft
- How to Say “Cheers”: Geluch / Proost
- Toasting Etiquette: N/A
Alcohol Consumption By Type:
- Beer: 50%
- Wine: 34%
- Spirits: 16%
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):
- Recorded: 9.55
- Unrecorded: 0.50
- Total: 10.05
- Beer: 4.72
WHO Alcohol Data:
- Per Capita Consumption: 9.6 litres
- Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
- Excise Taxes: Yes
- Minimum Age: 16
- Sales Restrictions: Time, places
- Advertising Restrictions: Yes
- Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes
Patterns of Drinking Score: 1
Prohibition: None
Today in 1990, Latvia gained their Independence from the USSR.
Latvia
Latvia Breweries
Latvia Brewery Guides
Other Guides
Guild: None Known
National Regulatory Agency: None
Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known
Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05%
- Full Name: Republic of Latvia
- Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
- Government Type: Parliamentary democracy
- Language: Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3%
- Religion(s): Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7%
- Capital: Riga
- Population: 2,191,580; 142nd
- Area: 64,589 sq km, 124th
- Comparative Area: Slightly larger than West Virginia
- National Food: Grey Peas and Bacon
- National Symbol: Ox-eye daisy
- Affiliations: UN, EU, NATO
- Independence: From the USSR, May 4, 1990 / From Soviet Russia, November 18, 1918
- Alcohol Legal: Yes
- Minimum Drinking Age: 18 [Note: Stores may sell alcohol only between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. With the exception of bars, clubs and restaurants]
- BAC: 0.02% for drivers with less than 2 years of experience and 0.05% for those with more than 2 years of experience
- Label Requirements: N/A
- Number of Breweries: 19
- How to Say “Beer”: alus
- How to Order a Beer: N/A
- How to Say “Cheers”: Prieka / Uz veselibu
- Toasting Etiquette: N/A
Alcohol Consumption By Type:
- Beer: 33%
- Wine: 10%
- Spirits: 56%
- Other: 1%
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):
- Recorded: 9.50
- Unrecorded: 3.00
- Total: 12.50
- Beer: 3.61
WHO Alcohol Data:
- Per Capita Consumption: 9.5 litres
- Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
- Excise Taxes: Yes
- Minimum Age: 18
- Sales Restrictions: Some, specific events,
- Advertising Restrictions: Yes
- Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes
Patterns of Drinking Score: 3
Prohibition: None
Today is Danish brewer Anders Kissmeyer’s 56th birthday. He was a co-founder of Nørrebro Bryghus in Copenhagen. I first met Anders through corresponding with him for an article on collaboration beers I did for All About Beer magazine a couple of years ago. Then we met in person at GABF a couple of years ago and judged together at the World Beer Cup in Chicago. Kissmeyer recently left Nørrebro due to economic circumstances, but his mood was upbeat and with his talent will be brewing again any minute. Join me in wishing Anders a very happy birthday.
Anders with Kjetil Jikiun, from Nogne O, at the Local Option during CBC Chicago.
Today in 1991, Georgia gained their Independence from the USSR.
Republic of Georgia
Georgia Breweries
Georgia Brewery Guides
Other Guides
Guild: None Known
National Regulatory Agency: None
Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known
Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.03% or 0.02%
- Full Name: Republic of Georgia
- Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe
- Government Type: Republic
- Language: Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%
- Religion(s): Orthodox Christian (official) 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7%
- Capital: Tbilisi
- Population: 4,570,934; 123rd
- Area: 69,700 sq km, 121st
- Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than South Carolina
- National Food: Khachapuri, Khinkali
- National Symbols: Five red crosses, Kartlis Deda
- Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth of Independent States
- Independence: From the USSR, April 9, 1991 / From Soviet Russia, May 26, 1918
- Alcohol Legal: Yes
- Minimum Drinking Age: 16
- BAC: 0.03%
- Label Requirements: N/A
- Number of Breweries: 17
- How to Say “Beer”: ლუდი
- How to Order a Beer: N/A
- How to Say “Cheers”: Gagimardschoss / Gaumardschoss
- Toasting Etiquette: N/A
Alcohol Consumption By Type:
- Beer: 18%
- Wine: 20%
- Spirits: 62%
- Other: <1%
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):
- Recorded: 3.90
- Unrecorded: 2.50
- Total: 6.40
- Beer: 0.76
WHO Alcohol Data:
- Per Capita Consumption: 3.9 litres
- Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
- Excise Taxes: Yes
- Minimum Age: 18
- Sales Restrictions: Places
- Advertising Restrictions: Yes
- Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes
Patterns of Drinking Score: 2
Prohibition: None
