Where Riga drinks local: brewpubs, taprooms and the new wave.
Taprooms, brewpubs and the local beer scene in Riga worth taking a tram to.
Labietis is Riga's most-cited craft brewery, opened 2013 on the grounds of the old von Stricka brewery with a pagan-themed lineup of foraged-ingredient beers.
Order: A flight of three Pagan Brews to taste foraged ingredients like elderflower or nettle.
Tip: Second taproom in the Centrāltirgus Gastronomy Pavilion; the von Stricka Culture Taproom is the original.
Labietis's Central Market taproom sits in the Gastronomy Pavilion of Centrāltirgus, the daytime counter pouring Labietis pagan brews beside the market stalls.
Order: A pour with smoked sprats from the next-door fish stalls.
Tip: Open daytime hours only; pair with a Centrāltirgus shopping run for the strongest weekday-lunch combo in Riga.
Valmiermuiža's Riga Beer Embassy on Aristīda Briāna runs the widest range of Latvian craft beer in the city, with 220+ tastes plus ciders and wines.
Order: A flight built around Latvian small breweries you won't see in supermarkets.
Tip: The Riga branch of Valmiermuiža (the brewery itself is in Vidzeme); the shop also sells local produce and wines.
Riga Beer District clusters Labietis, Valmiermuiža's Embassy and several smaller taprooms on Aristīda Briāna near the old von Stricka brewery grounds.
Order: A roving flight, one beer per taproom; the district fits in a single walking evening.
Tip: Plan a Friday or Saturday evening when all taprooms run late; Sunday is quieter but several taprooms close earlier.