Exploring the history of Cesis beer, beginning in 1590 when the earliest records of brewing in Cesis can be found in the manor audit protocols, we must give honour to theLord of Cesis Manor, Emanuel von Zievers, who, in 1878, built the first brewery outside Cesis Manor. It is this exact brewery that is today known as the old brewery of Cēsu alus, which was still operating until the year 2000. Since 2001, Cēsu alus brewery has been located in new production facilities, and is now the second largest brewery in Latvia.

“To honour the founder of Cēsu alus – the manor lord, aristocrat and artist, we are dedicating a new brand of beer to the passion for beer of Count von Zievers by naming it after him. This beer is a tribute to the Count’s life and legacy, which is still alive in the art and architecture of Cesis, as well as the first brewery of Cesis, which was built by the Count. Creating lager and ale type beer in this brand, we want to introduce our customers to the diversity of beer in the world, and we hope there will be more and more lovers of ale in our country,” said Eva Sietiņsone-Zatlere, CEO of Cēsu alus.

The beer brand Grāfs fon Zīverss will introduce beer lovers and gourmets to two products – the already popular in Latvia lager (4.8% alcohol by volume) and the world famous ale (5% alcohol by volume).

Lager or classic light beer is the world’s most popular type of beer. It is fermented for a long time at a low temperature, thus resulting in a golden beer with a mild and refreshing taste. Serve chilled to 10°C. Ale on the other hand has its origins in 17^thcentury England. Ale is made using one of the oldest technologies – above-fermentation, which gives the beer a strong taste, flavour and dark colour.

“Beer Grāfs fon Zīverss represents the prestigious slow beer segment, which belongs to the high quality and gourmet category. This beer must be enjoyed slowly – with taste perfection in every sip. Lager is innovatively complemented by dark malt, which gives a fuller, rounder flavour and darker, deeper golden colour. Ale, on the other hand, is characterized by well-balanced classic hop and light hint of bread bouquet of taste, with a hint of caramelization. Grāfs fon Zīverss Ale is milder than classical ales, it has a small hint of fruitiness,” said the Head Brewing Master of Cēsu alus, Māris Grambergs.

The design of the beer has been thoughtfully made in accordance with the nuances of 19th century aristocratic style – the label shows a portrait of the Count, it is made in the colours of the Sievers’ family coat of arms: deep red, blue and pastel background tone. It is filled in – so far in Latvia unprecedented, but previously widely known – bottles with a volume of 0.4 litres. The bottles also have the engraving Imperial, which can be translated as high quality, majestic, magnificent.

The beer will be available from the Easter week. It is planned to sell 1 million bottles this year. Total investment in the new beer brand is EUR 100 000.

Information:

Count Emanuel von Zievers (1817th – 1909) was Lord Chamberlain, Secret Councillor and Senator at Russian court, as well as the Lord of Cesis Manor from 1856 until 1909. In Cesis, Count Emanuel von Zievers was known as a member of the city council, outstanding art expert and supporter. He also did much for the improvement and modernization of the manor. Fon Zievers lived a life of continuous motion, travelling and getting to know other cultures, traditions and recipes. It was most probably the experience from his travels that inspired the Count to build a brewery outside the manor walls in Cesis. In 1878, replacing old farm buildings with a – for that time – rather modern brewery (which can still be seen), which operated until 2000.