Lvivske and Slavutich – Beers for Global Consideration

In the heart of Toronto’s financial district, on bustling King Street, various media and prospective investors congregated for a lesson in beer.  On September 3^rd, 2008, at the stately Beer Bistro, guests were invited by Multiculture Bevco to sample their products – Lvivske and Slavutich – in the context of other beers available in the Ontario market.

Beer and travel aficionado, Oliver Dawson facilitated the Beer Masters Class along with John Vellinga, President of Multiculture Bevco. The pair met years ago, but had recently reacquainted when Dawson travelled to Ukraine as part of his Beer Lovers’ Tour.

Dawson is a revered beer guru in Canada. Having worked for Toronto’s original micro-brewery, Upper Canada Brewing Co., he developed a passion for beer and became very knowledgeable about the brewing industry. As the voice of “Beer Chat” on Toronto AM 640’s MOJO Radio, he is a connoisseur of the highest calibre when it comes to beer. In recent years, Dawson has hosted local and international beer tours taking him from Toronto’s Corktown all the way to the Czech Republic’s Pilsen region. This past June, he travelled further east to Ukraine, exploring the Lvivske brewery in Lviv and the Slavutich brewery in Kyiv.

This trip left such a profound impact on Dawson, that upon his return, he insisted on leading a sampling class to showcase the two Ukrainian beers in relation to other varieties of beer. He explained to the guests that his intention was not simply to promote a particular style or brand of beer, but rather “to appreciate the geography and culture that gave rise to the beers.” Leading the group’s taste buds through the British Isles, Bohemia, along the Rhine, Saxony, and defining century-old brewing techniques, an understanding and appreciation was warranted for the two Ukrainian breweries, as they both had something distinct and unique to offer.

Stating, that when one thinks of good beer, most often we think of German lagers or Belgian ales as that which brew masters define to be superior. While both regions exhibit great brew-brands, there is a wealth of other beer available, and it’s time that Ukraine is acknowledged as a worthy competitor in the global market of beers. Featuring exceptionally advanced brewing techniques, the most modern brewing facilities and a superior combination of ingredients, both Lvivske and Slavutich are worthy products for consideration when making a beer purchase. Lvivske and Slavutich beers are available in Ontario at the LCBO, and across Canada in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in various select liquor control retail stores.