Historic Embankment, Cheboksary, Chuvashia Republic, Russia
A visit to the city is well worth it, especially for those who are partial to the odd pint of beer: The area is famous for brewing hops. Be careful not to get too drunk and misbehave though as there’s an ancient jail still in use today.
Cheboksary is only 400 miles east of Moscow. With half a million inhabitants, the city is the capital of the Republic of Chuvashia. Cheboksary is located on the Volga River and is a hotpot of both Russian and Chuvash cultures. A hop flower and its leaves are depicted on Chuvashia’s coat of arms – around 90 percent of Russia’s hops are grown in the region, which has a long tradition of brewing. In ancient times, picking hops was an important part of life. “The Chuvash people used to say, there are as many women as there are types of beer,” local tour guide Lyudmila Ilmenderova explains.
Home brewing was widespread in the area and families passed recipes through the generations. Thanks to this beer culture and the unique climate, Chuvashia established itself as the main hop growing region in the Soviet Union. By the end of the eighties, local state farms grew up to 95 percent of all Soviet hops that were used not only for beer production, but also cosmetics and food.
In downtown Cheboksary there is the Museum of Beer. It was opened in 1997 by the Bouquet of Chuvashia brewing company. Here you can find 19th century beer bottles, beer coasters, and old brand labels.
Russian brewers from the 19th century took great care when producing the beverage and only used the finest ingredients. Every manufacturer used their own branded packaging and often emblazoned their name on the bottles.
Authentic Chuvash beer is still brewed, 120 miles away from Cheboksary in the village of Komsomolskoe – especially for the museum.
Authentic Chuvash beer is still brewed, 120 miles away from Cheboksary in
Epic Russia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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