Poles apart: Fans warned over local brew
Polish ex-pats say they fear Ireland supporters won’t be able to stomach their powerful pilsners, porters and pale ales — which can be up to three times the strength but a fraction of the price of those at home — unless they limit their intake.
And they have urged footie fans travelling to Poznan and Gdansk in June to curb their booze intake if they want to make the most of their trip abroad.
A crash-course on Polish beer was a feature of a special information evening at the Montenotte Hotel in Cork yesterday afternoon, organised by the MyCork Polish Association.
The event’s organisers invited travelling Ireland fans to come along to listen to travel pointers from Cork-based Poles and receive money-saving tips on cheap places to stay and how to avoid getting ripped off.
Attendees were also taught how to order a beer, or piwo in Polish, as well as getting the opportunity to taste local brews such as Zywiec, Tyskie and Okocim.
But organisers said their biggest tip for travelling fans is to check the alcohol content of their drinks, some of which, like extra-strong Lech Mocne, are as high as 14.8%.
The group’s president, Polish native Izabela Krygiel-Kozlowska, said: “Irish fans will find the beer very cheap over there at about €1.50 a pint. But our beer is much stronger than here, so we’re advising fans to go easy on it.
“If supporters drink as much as they do in Ireland, I’d worry that some of them who’ve bought tickets for games would end up missing the matches. So people should go easy when they’re over there.”
Ms Krygiel-Kozlowska, who has lived in Cork for nine years, also said she plans to have a translation service in place for fans struggling to communicate with Polish nationals.
“The Cork accent might not be the easiest for Polish people to understand, so we’re hoping to set up a phone service here so that fans can call us if they need us to translate something or give them advice.
“We want people’s visit to be as enjoyable as possible. We held the event to inform people about interesting places to visit and to try to save fans money by advising them on cheaper places to stay and other tips, like avoiding private taxis, which charge much higher prices.”
With 71 breweries across Poland, there are hundreds of beers to choose from. Polish beer connoisseur Pawel Switaj, 37, who has lived in Cork for five years, gives his verdict:
* Tyskie: Poland’s flagship beer, Tyskie is a pale lager, clear and golden, with a decent white head and 5.6% alcohol content. A good, solid, light-bodied beer.
Pawel says: “Definitely the best beer available in Poland.”
* Lech: At 5.2% alcohol content, weak by Polish standards, Lech is easier to drink than most other beers. But beware of ordering Lech Mocne, which is a potent 14.8% brew.
Pawel says: “Lech is a good choice and Irish fans should look out for Lech Pils.”
* Zywiec: This medium-light bodied 5.6% pilsner will not suit all tastes. It’s been brewed in Poland for 150 years, using mountain spring water.
Pawel says: “This is the first beer that was ever exported from Poland. I’m very fond of it.”
* Okocim: This golden-yellow pilsner has a distinct bitter taste, with a 5.7% alcohol content. For a more potent drink, try Okocim Porter, at 8.3%, which is dark, rich and malty.
Pawel says: “The taste is quite specific. You’ll either really like it immediately or decide it’s not for you.”
* Warka: From one of Poland’s oldest breweries, this is a clean and easy-drinking beer, with a relatively low alcohol content of just 5.2%.
Pawel says: “It’s a very traditional beer, but not one of my favourites.”
* Zubr: Zubr has become one of the most popular beers in the country. Golden-coloured, full-bodied and with a pleasant, hoppy aroma, it has a 6% alcohol content.
Pawel says: “This beer has become very popular and is the only brand well-known outside Poland.”
