Karl Thomson has researched the history of brewing

History should be known. The author of the book “Beer industry in Latvia” Kārlis Thomsons (from the right), the chairman of the “Cēsu alus board” Eva Sietiņsone and the chairman of the board of the Latvian Beer Brotherhood Andrejs Šikora are pleased that everyone can now learn about beer brewing traditions. PHOTO: Sarmite Feldmane

The long-time manager of “Cēsu alus” Kārlis Thomsons has made many people happy and surprised
research on beer brewing in Latvia, the findings are summarized in the book “Beer Brewing in Latvia”.

K. Thomson emphasizes that writing the book was not an end in itself. “I have worked in breweries all my life, since I was a student. I have met interesting, industry-savvy people. At one time, the director of “Aldara” Jēkabs Spilva told about the pre-war period. Of course, I didn’t write it down, but I remember a lot,” says the author of the publication and reveals that a deeper interest in brewing arose when he came to Cēsis in 1972. He was attracted by the year number 1878 carved into the stone wall of the main building of the Cēsi brewery. Then the company commissioned the historian Robert Malves to research the history of beer production in the castle of the Cēsi Order.

The historian recorded in his research that in 1590 there were rooms for brewing beer in the palace. This was an important foundation in the development of “Cēsu beer”. “Then in 1990, the Cēsi brewery celebrated its 400th anniversary. In 2008, it was 130 years since the industrial production of beer began in Cēsis. History had to be learned. An exhibition dedicated to the industrial production of beer was created in the museum in cooperation with the Cēsis museum staff. That’s how the materials accumulated,” says K. Thomsons and emphasizes that in earlier years, newspapers and publications about brewing were published, they wanted to summarize the development of the Latvian beer industry and also remind the oldest history of brewing.

“Undeniably, beer – in the long-term formation of its production and consumption traditions – has become the national product of many European countries and peoples. Also with us, in Latvia. I treat it with deep respect. So much has changed in Latvia’s hundred years of beer production as well,” says K. Thomsons.

Andrejs Šikora, chairman of the board of the Latvian Beer Brotherhood, emphasizes that K. Thomson’s research is also important because those interested will learn about the traditions of beer brewing and consumption. “Until now, there have been several articles by enthusiasts, but no one has made it to such a large-scale research based on facts and references,” says A. Šikora and adds that young alders are interested in the book, thereby confirming that they are the continuation of Latvian beer brewing traditions.

“And the opening of the book takes place in Latvia’s oldest and today’s largest brewery,” emphasizes A. Šikora. Eva Sietiņsone, the chairperson of the “Cēsu Beer Board”, expressed her belief that the opening of the book celebrates Kārļis Thomson’s lifelong contribution to the development of the beer industry, and preserves the heritage of Latvian beer brewing. “The book contains many facts that cannot be read elsewhere,” stresses E. Sietiņsone.

The first to receive the book with the author’s autograph were the members of the “Cēsu alus” Retirement Club. K. Thomsons has been leading the club since its foundation in 2013.