Beer Enjoyed by Macedonians/Greeks, Poles

[succeed]

I'd like to give someone some beer. He's Macedonian/Greek. I'd also like to give someone some beer who was born in Poland. Any recommendations for brands that might be appreciated by people from those countries (that are available in Ontario)?

[NorthYorker]

I'd like to give someone some beer. He's Macedonian/Greek. I'd also like to give someone some beer who was born in Poland. Any recommendations for brands that might be appreciated by people from those countries (that are available in Ontario)?
There's semi-decent selection of Polish beers in LCBO. Zywiec, Lasko, couple of other brands (both canned and bottled). However, if the guy truly appreciates beer, you can get him some Czech stuff too, it enjoys outstanding reputation in Eastern Europe.

[onehaehyuk]

Kind of an odd request because you're automatically assuming you know what beer they'll want based on where they're from?

When I was in Greece, Mythos was the usual brand on tap. I remember it being an ok, easy-to-drink beer. Kind of like their equivalent of Budweiser, Labbatt Blue I guess. Not sure if you can find it here though.

Otherwise, I'd go with a more local craft beer or even a european beer as they'll taste much better. I think there's a beer thread somewhere here on RFD, might be worth checking out

[succeed]

Kind of an odd request because you're automatically assuming you know what beer they'll want based on where they're from?

I know nothing about beer, but I do notice that people from other countries often still enjoy the same types of food and flavours that they were used to back home, especially if they tend to be of the older generation. I simply figured that was at least a place to start, when trying to figure out what type of beer they might appreciate. I'm not trying to stereotype - I just need something to help narrow the field.


Otherwise, I'd go with a more local craft beer or even a european beer as they'll taste much better. I think there's a beer thread somewhere here on RFD, might be worth checking out

Thanks. I just googled "most popular beers in Ontario", and out of the top 10, only 1 of them is European. So, I guess it's gonna be Heineken, or as someone else suggested, Carlsberg.

[kopokipi]

There's semi-decent selection of Polish beers in LCBO. Zywiec, Lasko, couple of other brands (both canned and bottled). However, if the guy truly appreciates beer, you can get him some Czech stuff too, it enjoys outstanding reputation in Eastern Europe.

Lasko is a Slovenian beer not polish i think you mean Lezajsk beer which is polish

[neutral]

So what are Macedonians? I've heard links to Greeks, to Serbs? What gives?

[NorthYorker]

Lasko is a Slovenian beer not polish i think you mean Lezajsk beer which is polishYou are right. I'm pretty indifferent to standard pale lagers, so I mixed up.
Kind of an odd request because you're automatically assuming you know what beer they'll want based on where they're from?This is not odd, giving this type of gift proves that giver put some thought and effort into it.
So what are Macedonians? I've heard links to Greeks, to Serbs? What gives?That's because there are two types of "Macedonians". One is Greek-speaking and, for all extents and purposes, they are (slightly distinct, like Newfies in Canada) part of Greek ethnic group. Another is Slavic (more related to Bulgarians than to Serbs), and are majority in FYROM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Macedonia). There's a dispute (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonia_naming_dispute) between those two who are the "real" Macedonians.

[Wallly]

Zywiec is good, nice hop flavor .

[Squiggles]

I am Canadian born and if someone gave me a gift of Molson Canadian beer I would punch them in the teeth.

[thepersianguy]

I am Canadian born and if someone gave me a gift of Molson Canadian beer I would punch them in the teeth.

what if it was alistair overeem?

[cRaZyRaVr]

My fav Polish beer has got to be Tyskie or Lech. I prefer Lech only because it comes in tall boy cans... easier to manage :)

[Stryker]

If you look at the top 50 beers from Poland at ratebeer, (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/country/poland/163/) you'll note that the best eleven beers rated are all Porters. Yet the LCBO in it's infinite wisdom doesn't import any Porters from Poland. Every one of the selections from Poland are Lagers at the LCBO. (http://lcbo.ca/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/searchResults.do?language=EN&style=+LCBO.css&action=result&dropdown=&radio=&STOCK_TYPE_NAME=All&ITEM_NAME=&KEYWORDS=&ITEM_NUMBER=&LIQUOR_TYPE_SHORT_=Beer&CATEGORY_NAME=*&SUB_CATEGORY_NAME=*&PRODUCING_CNAME=Poland&PRODUCING_REGION_N=*&SELLING_PRICE=*)

[grk_souvlaki]

You will never go wrong with Heineken or Amstel.

FYI. Macedonia is a region in Northern Greece.
The country known as Macedonia (FYROM = Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) is break away republic of Yugoslavia made of a population Slavic and Albanian peoples.

[succeed]

You will never go wrong with Heineken or Amstel.

Thanks. I got him a case of Heineken, which he seemed very happy with. Apparently, his favorite beer is Stella Artois - so now I know for the future.

[cwb27]

My fav Polish beer has got to be Tyskie or Lech. I prefer Lech only because it comes in tall boy cans... easier to manage :)

My Polish in-laws drink Tyskie and Żywiec.

[NorthYorker]

If you look at the top 50 beers from Poland at ratebeer, (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/country/poland/163/) you'll note that the best eleven beers rated are all Porters. Yet the LCBO in it's infinite wisdom doesn't import any Porters from Poland. Every one of the selections from Poland are Lagers Same thing with x-Soviet beers. There're many decent darks and wheats in this country, but LCBO features lagers and lagers only. It seems that only Germans and Belgians are allowed to sell less-boring varieties here :)

[raymondly]

I like Warka

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=676080

[Stryker]

Same thing with x-Soviet beers. There're many decent darks and wheats in this country, but LCBO features lagers and lagers only. It seems that only Germans and Belgians are allowed to sell less-boring varieties here :)

In addition to the above you've mentioned, there's also a variety of dark beers from Britain at the LCBO. We've also had a few good dark beers brought over in the last year from the likes of Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, and the U.S., that I've personally been able to savour and enjoy. Mostly discontinued now, unfortunately. Then of course, there are a few dark brews from right here in Canada.

[NorthYorker]

In addition to the above you've mentioned, there's also a variety of dark beers from Britain at the LCBO.British stuff is mostly priced as if they brew liquid gold (literally):) I see no point in buying 4.50/bottle beer, I'm not that much of a fan. There's decent reasonably priced Irish stuff (Smithwick's, for example)
Then of course, there are a few dark brews from right here in Canada.Quebec's pricing is out of whack (same as British), and I could not find decent Canadian dark priced competitive with Irish, Germans, Belgians or even Sri Lankans (Singha). Red Ales and Honey Browns, Canadians know how to brew. Darks - I've tasted Waterloo stuff and it tastes like muddy water :(

[Stryker]

British stuff is mostly priced as if they brew liquid gold (literally):) I see no point in buying 4.50/bottle beer, I'm not that much of a fan. There's decent reasonably priced Irish stuff (Smithwick's, for example)Quebec's pricing is out of whack (same as British), and I could not find decent Canadian dark priced competitive with Irish, Germans, Belgians or even Sri Lankans (Singha). Red Ales and Honey Browns, Canadians know how to brew. Darks - I've tasted Waterloo stuff and it tastes like muddy water :(

It's hard to beat the price of a good tasting beer like Sinha Stout at $1.95 per bottle, as you mention. However the British do bring in a few dark beers at under $3.00 I personally enjoy. Fullers ESB (Extra Special Beer) at $2.70, Fullers London Porter at $2.70, and Newcastle Brown Ale at $2.90. As for dark beers in Canada I don't like Waterloo either, but there are at least a few good brews like Black Creek Porter, Garrison Grand Baltic Porter, Wellington Iron Duke, and St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout. I'm sure there will be others that have their own favourties. It's all about what you personally enjoy. No shortage of beers to try.

[arek]

Tyskie all the way :D