When you think of craft beer, Moldova is probably not the first country to pop into your head.
This eastern European country in the Balkan region has a well-established wine and brandy industry, not to mention one of the world’s highest levels of alcohol consumption!
As alluring as the wine scene in Moldova is, we’re here to talk about one of my true loves: craft beer.
If you’re looking for craft beer in Moldova, you’re in luck.
The country is undergoing something of a craft beer renaissance at the moment, with more and more home-brewed beers coming out of the country’s capital, Chisinau but also in other parts of the country.
Also called Chishinau, Chisinau, or Chișinău, you’ll fall in love with the breweries in this sweet Moldovan town.
This post will cover all of the best places to get craft beer in Chisinau, from local breweries to beer houses, taprooms, and more.
Best Craft Beer in Chisinau
Many people jump straight to Transnistria when visiting Moldova, but the country’s capital is brimming with intriguing taprooms, proud local brewing companies, and craft pubs for you to try out. I’ve rounded up the best of the local Chisinau craft beers bars in the comprehensive list below.
Keep reading for the ultimate craft beer guide to Chisinau, Moldova.
“Litra” Brewing Company
Litra Brewing Company is widely considered to have the best beer in Moldova, offering IPA’s, fruit beers, and wheat beers (or hefe weissbiers).
The micro-brewery is a family-owned business established in 2013, using German brewing technology, local fruits, and natural spices to create proudly Moldovan craft beer.
The Litra family follows what is called ‘Reinhetsgebot,’ the Bavarian beer purity law. This law states that only four ingredients can be used in the brewing process, chiefly hops, brewer’s yeast, water, and malt.
Litra is an excellent spot if you’re as fascinated by the brewing process as I am.
You can take a load off at the tasting bar and sip on a cold one within full view of the barrels and equipment in the brewing area.
The best part is that it’s not uncommon to see a member of the Litra family tending the bar, and any one of them will be happy to share their immense craft beer knowledge with you.
Watch the crew brewing their beers, chat to the locals, and sip on the finest Moldovan beer in town.
Only downside is that the Litra bar is located a bit outside the city center, so the only way to reach here is by taxi.
But if you don´t want to venture so far outside Chisinau city center, so are the craft beers from Litra sold in almost every bar around Chisinau these days.
Location: Varnita Street 20/1, Chisinau
Opening times: Friday: 10 am – 4 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 3 pm Monday – Thursday: 10 am – 4 pm
LaBREWtory Brewing Company
If you’ve got a hankering for American craft beer, LaBREWtory Brewing Company is the place for you.
This brewery was started by two Americans who came to Moldova, fell in love with the country and the people, and never looked back.
Today, LaBREWtory focuses mainly on American-style craft beer, as well as styles from Ireland, Belgium, and Great Britain.
For a pair of American ex-pats, these guys bring an immense amount of Moldovan pride to their work; “fresh and local, as beer should be.”
All production is 100% natural, made with high-quality American and European ingredients, and yes, their beers are suitable for vegans.
However, the place dont serve any food, but they are happy to help you with ordering food for delivery from nearby restaurants and pizza places.
Try the XPA- Extra Pale Ale 1. It’s the very first extra pale ale brewed in Moldova and boasts an intense hop flavor that any IPA lover will enjoy.
The outdoor area is quite humble, but it does give you that feeling of having stumbled on a hidden gem (a feeling many tourists are addicted to).
You can also sip on beer and try some bar snacks inside if you want to take a peek at the brewing tanks.
My personal favorite when it comes to Chisinau Craft beer.
Location: Șoseaua Muncești 77, Chisinau
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 4 pm – 8 pm. Saturday- Sunday: 2 pm – 8 pm
Taproom 27: A Hoppy Place
With excellent service, great beer, and a vibey atmosphere, Taproom 27 is a local favorite in Chisinau with a lot to offer.
This rustic no-frills pub is super cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a craft beer on a chilly Chisinau night. The high ceilings, fairy lights, and friendly staff will make you feel right at home.
Head down to Taproom 27 from 3 pm to 6 pm, and you’ll be greeted with fantastic Happy Hour specials. If you haven’t had a chance to visit LaBREWatory or Litra yet, you can try one of their craft beers here.
Alternatively, try the flight tasting special to sample eight different locally made craft beers.
Taproom 27 doesn’t serve its own food, but it does encourage you to order from other local eateries and get delivery to the bar.
If you can’t go an hour without your favorite local dish, order it in to enjoy with your IPA!
Location: Strada Vasile Alecsandri 117/1, Chisinau
Opening times: Tuesday – Thursday: 12 pm – 8 pm. Friday – Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Smokehouse
If you’re planning on having a sober night out, Smokehouse is one of the few places in Chisinau where you can get 0% alcohol beer.
Of course, there is a small but carefully curated selection of boozy craft beers on the menu, too. You can even do a beer tasting with a flight of four or eight different beers.
You can try both imported American beers and Moldovan-made beers here, and the bar offers a range of different craft options, from lagers to IPA’s and more.
Smokehouse serves American-style grub like ribs and buffalo wings, the ultimate messy snack to go along with your cold beer.
Try the nachos and salsa, too, they’re to die for. The restaurant also has great happy hour specials, weekly trivia nights, and specials on the chicken wings on Wednesdays.
Location: Stefan cel Mare si Sfant Boulevard 128, Chisinau
Opening times: Friday: 12 pm – 8 pm Saturday – Thursday: 11 am – 10 pm
Lumencraft Brewery
Lumencraft is a microbrewery in the Chisinau Airport that produces over ten different types of beer, ranging from classic European styles to experimental fruity beers with herbal accents.
The food served here is also delicious and, notably, uses ingredients and produce homegrown in Moldova.
They also offer an array of delectable bar snacks and the most mind-blowing steak you’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting – in an airport, of all places.
So it’s recommended to have some extra time before your depature from Moldova, so you can try some last-minute Chisinau craft beer.
If you’ve got a craving for Lumencraft, luckily, there is a store in town where you can buy their craft beers and ready-to-eat meals.
The beer selection is intriguing, and every bottle comes with a comprehensive list of tasting notes.
Try the unique Lumencraft Coffee Stout. This dark ale has an intense burnt flavor with notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and cocoa, and pairs perfectly with dark meats and chocolatey desserts.
Another crowd favorite is the Lumencraft IPA Mango, a full-bodied, aromatic pale ale variation with mango, orange, and pineapple flavors.
Location: Dacia Blvd 80/3, Chisinau
Opening times: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Efes Vitanta Moldova Brewery SA
Founded in Chisinau in 1873, Efes Vitanta Moldova Brewery (EVMB) is the oldest brewery in Moldova.
Not really a Moldovan Craft Beer place, but it´s located close to Litra Brewery, so might be worth a visit if you got extra time.
The only reason to visit this place is if you want to try all the local mainstream beers in Moldova or want to buy a t-shirt with the local beer brand on it.
The brewery falls under the Efes Beer Group, one of the biggest brewers in the country, which also happens to control more than 70% of Moldova’s beer market.
EVMB is responsible for several different beer brands in Moldova, including Chisinau beers, Leffe, Hoegaarden, and Franziskaner, which you can find in many pubs and bars around the country.
The Chisinau beer brand, in particular, has a delicious craft pale lager called Chisinau Blonda. It’s a light, premium beer with strong malt and hop flavors, a touch of bitterness, and pronounced aromas.
You can book a tour of EVMB to see the beer-making process firsthand and try out their selection. There is no way to book on the website, so just call ahead to find out more information and to book your slot with one of the tasting room staff.
Location: Strada Uzinelor 167, Chisinau
Opening times: Monday – Friday: 9 am – 8 pm
Beer House
Beer House is a popular restaurant and brewery in Chisinau with five craft beers on tap.
These include a pilsner, a dark beer, a light beer, and a wheat beer. You can also choose between a filtered or unfiltered dark beer.
The food on the menu is super tasty, offering wholesome dishes, an array of starters, and a good selection of desserts.
Beer House also serves phenomenal pizza and traditional Moldovan dishes perfect for the curious tourist.
Beer House also happens to have very unique decor. The restaurant is decorated in an old-timey European style with murals made to take you back to a bygone Moldovan era.
Even the ceilings are painted to look like the sky. If you’re in the market for something weird and wonderful, then Beer House is the place for you.
Location: Constantin Negruzzi Blvd 6/2, Chisinau
Opening times: Daily: 11 am – 11 pm
Kozlovna Ceska Pivni
Another beer house in Chisinau, while it only selles the Czech beer Kozel, in all varieties, sizes, and styles, together with typical Czech and German food.
When entering the place, it might seem small, but the place have a huge garden in the back, which is perfect for late evenings and dinner with your friends.
The York Pub
A typical English pub, a good place to go to try some local Moldovan craft beer from around the country, and also the place to go if you want a draft of a Guinness in Chisinau or some typical British pub food.
Enjoy the Craft Beer in Chisinau
Hopefully, you’ll get the chance to visit each and every one of the fantastic breweries and pubs on this list of Chisinau favorites.
Moldova’s capital has a lot to offer, and beer tasting can be a great way to break up your vacation in between all the sightseeing and exploring.
If you’re looking for more craft beer spots to try out around the world, you can check out our Craft Beer Archives for recommendations and inspiration.
Have an excellent time in Chisinau. Cheers!