Romania boasts a rich beer culture with various local and craft beers catering to diverse tastes. The country’s beer history dates back to the late modern period, with beer pubs becoming popular social hubs during the 1877 Independence War. Today, Romania is one of the top beer-consuming countries in the world, with an annual consumption of over 100 liters per capita.

Popular Romanian Beer Brands

Some well-known Romanian beer brands include Ursus, Timișoreana, Ciuc, and Silva. Ursus, meaning “bear” in Latin, is a favorite among locals known for its robust flavor.

Timișoreana, named after the city of Timișoara, is another beloved brand, offering a smooth and refreshing taste. Ciuc, named after Miercurea Ciuc, and Silva, meaning “forest” in Latin, are also popular choices, each with their unique flavors and characteristics.

Ursus

Ursus is often referred to as the “King of Beers” in Romania. It has a long history, dating back to 1878 when it was first brewed in Cluj-Napoca. The brand offers a range of beers, including Ursus Premium, Ursus Black, and Ursus Cooler. Ursus Premium is a pale lager with a balanced taste, while Ursus Black is a dark beer with a rich, malty flavor. Ursus Cooler is a refreshing beer mixed with natural fruit juices, perfect for hot summer days.

Timișoreana

Timișoreana is the oldest beer brand in Romania, with its origins tracing back to 1718. It is brewed in Timișoara, a city known for its vibrant beer culture. Timișoreana is celebrated for its smooth and crisp taste, making it a popular choice among beer enthusiasts. The brand also offers Timișoreana Nepasteurizată, an unpasteurized beer that retains more of the natural flavors and aromas of the ingredients.

Ciuc

Ciuc is a well-known beer brand from Miercurea Ciuc, a city in the heart of Transylvania. The brand is famous for its refreshing lagers, which are brewed using pure mountain water from the Harghita Mountains. Ciuc Premium is a light and crisp Romanian beer, perfect for any occasion. The brand also offers Ciuc Natur Radler, a beer mixed with natural lemon juice, providing a zesty and refreshing taste.

Silva

Silva, meaning “forest” in Latin, is a Romanian beer brand that embodies the natural beauty of Romania. It is brewed using high-quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods. Silva offers a range of beers, including Silva Blonde, Silva Dark, and Silva Strong. Silva Blonde is a pale lager with a light and refreshing taste, while Silva Dark is a rich and malty Romanian beer with hints of caramel and chocolate. Silva Strong is a robust beer with a higher alcohol content, perfect for those who enjoy a stronger brew.

Romanian Craft Beer Scene

In recent years, Romania has seen a surge in craft beer production. Breweries like Zăganu and Fabrica de Bere Bună have gained popularity for their innovative and high-quality brews. These craft beers often feature unique flavors and ingredients, providing a fresh alternative to traditional Romanian beers.

Zăganu

Zăganu is one of the most well-known craft breweries in Romania. It was founded in 2013 by two young entrepreneurs who wanted to revive the tradition of independent brewing in Romania. The brewery is named after the Zăganu peak in the Carpathian Mountains, symbolizing the purity and natural beauty of the region.

Zăganu offers a range of craft beers, including Zăganu Blondă, Zăganu Brună, and Zăganu IPA. Zăganu Blondă is a pale ale with a balanced taste, while Zăganu Brună is a dark ale with rich, malty flavors. Zăganu IPA is a hoppy and aromatic beer, perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors.

Fabrica de Bere Bună

Fabrica de Bere Bună, meaning “The Good Beer Factory,” is another popular craft brewery in Romania. It was founded in 2014 by a group of beer enthusiasts who wanted to create high-quality, artisanal beers. The brewery is known for its innovative and experimental brews, often using local ingredients and traditional brewing methods.

Some of their popular beers include Fabrica de Bere Bună Pale Ale, Fabrica de Bere Bună Porter, and Fabrica de Bere Bună Saison. The Pale Ale is a light and hoppy Romanian beer, while the Porter is a dark and rich beer with notes of chocolate and coffee. The Saison is a farmhouse ale with a fruity and spicy flavor profile.

 

Romania is one of the world’s largest wine producers, ranking fifth among European countries. The country’s wine-making tradition dates back over 6,000 years, with viticulture thriving due to the favorable climate, soil, and relief.

Indigenous Romanian Wine Grape Varieties

Romania is home to several indigenous grape varieties that produce exceptional wines. For white wines, popular varieties include Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, Riesling, and Chardonnay. For red wines, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Băbească Neagră, and Fetească Neagră are widely cultivated. These grapes are grown across Romania’s 33 DOCs (Denomination of Controlled Origin), ensuring high-quality wine production.

Fetească Albă

Fetească Albă is one of the most ancient and traditional white grape varieties in Romania. It is known for producing aromatic and well-balanced Romanian wines with floral and fruity notes. The wines made from Fetească Albă are often light and refreshing, making them perfect for pairing with seafood and light dishes.

Fetească Regală

Fetească Regală, meaning “Royal Maiden,” is another popular white grape variety in Romania. It is a relatively new variety, created in the early 20th century by crossing Fetească Albă with another local grape. Fetească Regală wines are known for their crisp acidity and vibrant flavors, often featuring notes of green apple, citrus, and white flowers.

Riesling

Riesling is a well-known white grape variety that thrives in Romania’s cool climate regions. Romanian Rieslings are often characterized by their high acidity and complex flavors, ranging from green apple and citrus to honey and petrol. These wines can be enjoyed young or aged, with the latter developing more intricate and nuanced flavors over time.

Merlot

Merlot is one of the most popular red grape varieties in the country. It is known for producing soft and approachable wines with flavors of red berries, plum, and chocolate. Romanian Merlots are often medium-bodied with smooth tannins, making them a great choice for pairing with a variety of dishes, from grilled meats to pasta.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is another widely cultivated red grape variety in Romania. The country’s warm climate regions are particularly well-suited for growing this grape, resulting in wines with bold flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, and cedar. Romanian Cabernet Sauvignons are often full-bodied with firm tannins, making them ideal for aging and enjoying hearty dishes.

Băbească Neagră

Băbească Neagră is an ancient red grape variety native to Romania. It is known for producing light and fruity wines with flavors of red berries, cherry, and spice. These wines are often enjoyed young and are perfect for pairing with lighter dishes, such as poultry and vegetarian fare.

Fetească Neagră

Fetească Neagră, meaning “Black Maiden,” is one of Romania’s most prized red grape varieties. It is known for producing rich and complex wines with flavors of dark berries, plum, and spice. Fetească Neagră wines are often full-bodied with firm tannins and good aging potential, making them a great choice for special occasions and cellaring.

Romanian Wine Regions

Romania’s main wine regions include the Transylvanian Plateau, Moldovan Hills, and the Munteniei & Olteniei Hills. Each region offers unique terroirs that contribute to the distinct flavors and characteristics of Romanian wines. For instance, the Dealu Mare region is renowned for its robust red wines, while the Cotnari region is famous for its sweet white wines.

Transylvanian Plateau

The Transylvanian Plateau is one of Romania’s most important wine regions, known for its cool climate and diverse terroirs. The region is particularly well-suited for growing white grape varieties, such as Fetească Albă, Fetească Regală, and Riesling. The Romanian wines from this region are often characterized by their high acidity and vibrant flavors, making them perfect for pairing with a variety of dishes.

Moldovan Hills

The Moldovan Hills region is located in the northeastern part of Romania and is known for its rolling hills and fertile soils. The region is home to several indigenous grape varieties, including Băbească Neagră and Fetească Neagră. The wines from this region are often rich and complex, with flavors of dark berries, plum, and spice. The Cotnari sub-region is particularly famous for its sweet white wines, made from grapes such as Grasă de Cotnari and Tămâioasă Românească.

Munteniei & Olteniei Hills

The Munteniei & Olteniei Hills region, located in the southern part of the country, is known for its warm climate and diverse soils. This region is particularly famous for its red wines, with grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Fetească Neagră thriving here. The Dealu Mare sub-region, often referred to as the “Napa Valley of Romania,” is renowned for its robust and full-bodied red wines. The wines from this region often exhibit rich flavors of dark berries, plum, and spice, with good aging potential.

Dobrogea

Dobrogea, located near the Black Sea, is another important wine region in Romania. The region’s maritime climate and sandy soils create ideal conditions for growing both white and red grape varieties. Dobrogea is known for producing aromatic and well-balanced wines, with popular varieties including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot. The wines from this region often feature flavors of tropical fruits, citrus, and red berries, with a refreshing acidity.

Banat

The Banat region, located in the western part of the country, is known for its diverse terroirs and favorable climate. The region is home to several indigenous and international grape varieties, producing a wide range of wine styles. Popular grape varieties in Banat include Fetească Regală, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines from this region are often characterized by their vibrant flavors and balanced acidity, making them perfect for pairing with a variety of dishes.

Romania’s liquor scene is diverse, featuring a range of traditional and modern spirits. The country’s national drink is țuică, a potent spirit distilled from plums. This clear, strong liquor is often homemade and enjoyed during special occasions and celebrations.

Traditional Romanian Liqueurs

Romania is also known for its traditional liqueurs, such as Vișinată and Afinată. Vișinată is a sour cherry liqueur made by macerating cherries and sugar in alcohol, resulting in a sweet and tangy drink. Afinată, on the other hand, is made from blueberries and has a rich, fruity flavor.

Vișinată

Vișinată is a beloved traditional liqueur in Romania, often made at home using family recipes passed down through generations. The process involves macerating sour cherries with sugar and alcohol, typically for several months, to extract the rich flavors and vibrant color of the fruit. The resulting liqueur is sweet and tangy, with a deep red hue and a smooth finish. Vișinată is often enjoyed as a digestif or served during festive occasions, and it pairs well with desserts and cheeses.

Afinată

Afinată is another traditional Romanian liquor, made from blueberries. The process of making Afinată is similar to that of Vișinată, with blueberries being macerated with sugar and alcohol to create a rich and flavorful liqueur. Afinată is known for its deep purple color and fruity, slightly tart taste. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif and pairs well with a variety of dishes, including game meats and chocolate desserts.

Modern Romanian Spirits

In addition to traditional liqueurs, Romania produces a variety of modern spirits. These include brandies, vodkas, and other distilled beverages that cater to contemporary tastes. The country’s liquor stores and bars offer a wide selection of both local and international spirits, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

Romanian Brandy

Romania has a long tradition of producing high-quality brandies, known locally as vinars. These brandies are typically made from distilled wine and aged in oak barrels to develop complex flavors and aromas. Romanian brandies often feature notes of dried fruits, vanilla, and spices, with a smooth and warming finish. Some popular Romanian brandy brands include Murfatlar and Zarea.

Romanian Vodka

Vodka is another popular spirit in the country, with several local brands producing high-quality vodkas using traditional methods. Romanian vodkas are often made from grains or potatoes and distilled multiple times to achieve a clean and smooth taste. Some well-known Romanian vodka brands include Stalinskaya and Săniuța.