Beer rivalry - Lasko or Union?, Ljubljana

2 more images

Slovenes are generally quite laid back. But not when it comes to choice of beer.

There are two major beers in Slovenia: Laško and Union. Apparently, loyalty for one's beer in Slovenia is somewhat akin to loyalty to one's baseball team in the USA. Showing support for Union in a Laško pub is like showing support for the Boston Red Sox in the Bronx (been there, done that...).

Anyway, down to business. At the risk of alienating half of Slovenia's population, I slightly preferred Union because it had a more full and balanced flavor. On the positive side, Laško was lighter, hoppier, and more thirst-quenching. I certainly wouldn't turn down either beer, though.

I'll leave you with one more fun fact about the Balkan Beer Bellicosity: Laško and Union are both owned by the same company.

I drank a lot of Lasko and Union when visiting Slovenia. I loved both. They're not great belgium beers, but the pilsener taste of Lasko got me first. I dont care for the Union, but the name is too much English for me, I like when it sounds like the country youre in.

Anyway, I Found Lasko in Ottawa at King Edouard's LCBO! Yeah!!! We also got he Ozujsko from Croatia out there!

Enjoy!

1 more image

There are two big brands of beer; Union and Lasko. And, apparently, there is a big regional rivalry between who prefers which.

So I'll add my contribution:

the Lasko, every time, especially their dark (malted barley) beer: Temno Lasko.

But I am a real-ale drinker in the UK, so maybe those of you who prefer weaker lager-type beers would prefer the Union brands?

Maybe one needs to try both, several times, in order to make a valid judgement............... :-)

If you want to make friends with the locals in Ljubljana, drink Union beer. There's a huge rivalry between the two main beers, the red Union and the green Lasko, and a true Ljubljana patriot drinks only red Union beer. According to my friend Primoz, himself a Marxist, it is also a political statement. The red Union beer speaks of a solidarity with the popular working man's struggle against the elite, whereas Lasko is a drink for the people who party at Global every weekend. Well, that's what he says. The people of Maribor, where Lasko is made, will probably say something different!

well no suspence: for me Union is better. You can see it in the hands of the guys quite everywhere in Ljubljana. I read many virtual tourists' pages about this issue and i was very courious to discover my own about beer! ;)

Slovenians like to drink beer - at home, when they go out, on a picnic... We also have two major breweries - one located in Ljubljana - UNION (opposite Park TIVOLI) the other LASKO, located in the town of Lasko, the region where also hop is growing. Now the two breweries are united, however the tastes of both beers are much different (so the experts say). Beer drinkers are usually either Union or Lasko lovers. One doesn't drink the other.

Remember, svetlo is your run of the mill golden lager and temno is a darker brew. Contrary to popular belief, the darker beers in this area of the world are generally sweeter. Union is the local brewery and produces sweeter beers than Lasko, the other Slovenian big brewery. Would have to say that Lasko was the best stuff I had here, both the svetlo and temno were very nice. The brewpub I went to besides Kratochwill was not all that great and situated outside of the center in an industrial area, not really worth seeking out. It did make for a nice picture though. ;)

The country of Slovenia is seperated into a friendly rivalry of beers. Union and Lasko. If you are out with a local wait to find what he is drinking then order the same, then state 'Can you believe people actually drink(insert other beer). You have just made a friend for life. But truth be known Lasko Rules!!!!!!!