In the footsteps of breweries – small-scale beer culture in Transdanubia

Small-scale breweries have brought a new colour to Győr’s gastronomic palette. It is true that Guri Brewery is not a Transdanubian, but a family business from Jászapáti, but they have already opened several beer houses across the country with their own brews. Their unit in Győr is also a popular meeting place as a pub. The Vaskakas Brewery in nearby Győrújbarát is known not only for its beers, but also for its community-building programmes: every year they organize a home brewing competition, where amateur brewers can compare their skills, and the public can also get an insight into the diverse world of brews.

In the region of Győr, the meeting of tradition and the new wave is represented by the Pannonhalma Abbey Brewery, where they revive the centuries-old traditions of the Benedictine monks in a modern guise. The Belgian-style beers – the light Blond, the caramel Dubbel, the rich Tripel and the full-bodied Quadrupel – bring together the monastic atmosphere and the quality of a small-scale brewery.

The excellent brewery of Helka is located on the southern shore of Lake Balaton, in Balatonföldvár. Their beers are named after characters from the Balaton legends and the range includes IPA, unfiltered and top-fermented items. In addition to tasting the range, it is also worth visiting them during their events; during their brewery tour, you can take a look behind the scenes of the factory, while within the framework of their thematic beer clubs, you can taste legendary beer specialities. The brewery also has a continuously operating bar, where you can also buy products from local small businesses and their cosy beer garden is practically just a few steps from Lake Balaton.

Sopron has a long tradition of both wine and beer. In the 19th century, several breweries operated here, and although the large-scale past is still decisive – as the Sopron Brewery is home to one of the most famous Hungarian beers – you can now also find small-scale breweries in the area. You can find more and more special brews in the pubs of the city centre, and new initiatives are popping up on the shores of Lake Fertő. In Fertőrákos, the family-run Krois Brewery offers an alternative to the flavours of large-scale breweries.

You can find an experimental brewery in Vas county as well, the Krenner Brewery in Csempeskopács attracts those with a thirst for discovery with its unique beers. They experiment with spontaneous fermentation processes and offer exciting programmes.

The essence of small-scale breweries is that they strive not for mass production, but for unique flavours and local identity. In some places, each brew is only available for a few weeks, so there are always surprises in the offer. In addition, in many places you can hear the history of the recipes from the brew-masters themselves, or you can see how the hops are put into the tank. This personal touch is what makes beer tours increasingly attractive.

So wherever you go in Transdanubia, beer experiences can be a great complement to visiting cultural and natural attractions. A glass of lager can be good after a castle tour, or a refreshing IPA at the end of a bike ride. Small-scale breweries show that beer is not just a drink, but an interweaving of stories, community experiences and flavours tied to a place.