Stone Beer In Russia: Availability And Accessibility

Russia has the fourth largest beer market in the world and is known for its fantastic lagers. Beer in Russia is distributed by colour categories: 'light', 'red' (semi-dark) and 'dark'. Beers with 6% to 10% alcohol are known as 'super strong beer'. Beer prices in Russia vary depending on the bar and the beer itself. You can get a pint at a pub for as little as 40 roubles, or a bottle/can at a convenience store for 40-50 roubles. Craft beers are more expensive, at 150+ roubles in stores and 350-400 roubles at Moscow bars. Beer cannot be purchased in shops after 11 pm.

Where to buy Stone beer in Russia

Stone Brewing's Stone Imperial Russian Stout is available in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. However, it is unclear if the beer is available in Russia.

In Russia, beer sales are regulated, and alcohol, including beer, cannot be sold between 11 pm and 8 am, except by restaurants, bars, and duty-free shops. Additionally, alcohol must be purchased before 11 pm, as sales are restricted after that time. These laws are in place to reduce public drunkenness and alcoholism.

If you are looking to purchase Stone Imperial Russian Stout in Russia, your best option may be to contact Stone Brewing directly to inquire about their distribution channels in the country. They may provide information on specific retailers or online platforms that offer their products in Russia. It is also worth checking specialty beer stores or online platforms that cater to international beers.

Please note that the availability of Stone Imperial Russian Stout in Russia may vary, and it is always a good idea to check with local retailers or Stone Brewing for the most up-to-date information.

Russian drinking traditions

While beer is popular in Russia, the country is more famous for its vodka. Here are some Russian drinking traditions:

Toasts

Russians love to make toasts, whether at formal events or impromptu gatherings. There may be dozens of toasts at a wedding or birthday, honouring the person or couple being celebrated, their parents, grandparents, and so on. Russians toast luck, health, and life, but not at funerals, where this is frowned upon. A toast may be a simple exclamation like "vashe zrodovye" ("to your health") or a longer, humorous anecdote.

Drinking in company

Russians don't drink alone, and it's customary to have a toast before drinking. It's bad luck to put your glass back on the table before it's empty. It's also customary for guests to finish their drink before leaving a venue.

Drinking without a break

According to Russian tradition, you shouldn't eat after the first glass of vodka and there's no break between the first and second glass. The period between the second and third glasses is also short.

The "penalty" shot

If you're late to a party, your Russian friends may make you drink a "penalty" shot. This tradition was introduced by Peter the Great, who tried to train his subordinates not to be late by forcing them to down a 1.5-litre glass of vodka in one go. These days, you'll only have to drink one shot.

"For a walking stick"

When a guest needs to leave a party, the host may propose one last drink "for a walking stick" ("pososhok"). In the past, a guest would down a small glass placed on a stick's handle. If the glass fell, they would have to stay at the party all night to avoid "a bad road".

"Think for three"

If two Russians invite you to drink vodka with them, they may say "troikh" ("think for three"), an expression that probably comes from Nikita Khrushchev's reign when vodka became very expensive. A bottle cost three rubles, and it was prohibited to sell it on tap, so three people would have to club together to buy vodka.

"Wash the purchase"

When a Russian buys something expensive, they should "wash the purchase" ("pokupku") by celebrating with friends or relatives. In ancient times, people believed that an expensive purchase might make neighbours envious, so they invited a priest to bless the item with holy water. This later became a symbolic "washing" of the item by making a toast with vodka.

Russian beer prices

Stone Imperial Russian Stout is available in several countries, but Russia is not one of them. However, Russia has the fourth-largest beer market in the world and is known for its fantastic lagers. Beer prices in Russia vary depending on the location and the type of beer. In Moscow, a beer at the airport can cost around €1.50, whereas in Khabarovsk, it can be as low as €0.70. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, a bottle or can of beer at a convenience store can cost between 40 and 50 Russian rubles, while a pint at a bar can range from 150 to 400 rubles. Craft beers are more expensive, with prices starting at 150 rubles in stores and 350 rubles in Moscow bars. The retail price range for beer in Russia is between $0.63 and $1.20 per kilogram or between $0.29 and $0.54 per pound. The wholesale price is lower, ranging from $0.44 to $0.84 per kilogram.

It is worth noting that Russia has laws restricting the sale of alcohol, including beer, between 11 pm and 8 am, except for in restaurants, bars, and duty-free shops.

Russian beer distribution

Russia has the fourth-largest beer market in the world and is known for its fantastic lagers. Beer is tied with vodka as the most popular alcoholic drink in the country, with the average Russian drinking about 11.7 litres of pure alcohol in 2016, with beer and vodka each accounting for 39% of that.

In 2011, there were 561 beer producers operating in Russia, including 40 large producers, 76 medium-scale regional breweries, 263 microbreweries, and 182 restaurant breweries. The two oldest breweries are based in St. Petersburg, and many of the larger cities are also home to microbreweries and brewpubs.

Russians categorise beer by colour, with 'light', 'red' or 'semi-dark', and 'dark' being the main categories. There is a separate category for beers with 6% to 10% alcohol, known as 'super strong beer'.

On-premise channels are the primary means of distribution for beer in Russia. Baltika Breweries accounted for the majority of the share in Russia's beer and cider market in 2020, followed by Heineken Brewery, Eses Russia, Sun InBev Russia, and Moscow Brewery.

In terms of beer type, the market is segmented into lager, wheat beer, and flavoured beer. Lager was the most preferred beer type and accounted for the highest value and volume share in 2020.

The beer market in Russia was valued at 1,597,618.2 LCU million in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% during the period 2021-2026.

Russian alcohol laws

Alcohol consumption in Russia remains among the highest in the world. In 2011, annual per capita consumption was about 15.76 litres of pure alcohol, the fourth-highest volume in Europe. Russian alcohol consumption is already twice the critical level set by the World Health Organization.

In 2011, then-President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law that reclassified beer as alcohol. Before this, beer (containing less than 10% alcohol) was considered a 'foodstuff' in Russia and was sold in stalls and tents 24 hours a day. Beer was marketed as a healthier alternative to spirits and it was common to see people drinking it in public.

The new law brought about several changes: drinking beer in streets and parks became prohibited; the sale of beer became illegal near educational institutions and bus stops; outdoor and TV advertising was restricted; and stores lost the right to sell beer from 11 pm to 8 am. These measures were aimed at reducing alcohol consumption in Russia.

In addition to the time restrictions on alcohol sales, Russia implements other anti-alcoholism measures, including banning spirits and beer trade at night, raising taxes, and further banning the advertising of alcohol. According to medical officials, these policies have resulted in a considerable fall in alcohol consumption volumes.

There are many different customs and traditions associated with drinking alcohol in Russia. At special occasions like dinner parties and formal occasions like business meetings, it is customary for tables to be set with shot and wine glasses. Drinks must be poured with the glass on the table, rather than held in the air, and glasses should not be put back on the table until they are empty. Russians also have a tradition of toasting luck, health and life. When drinking spirits like vodka, they will touch glasses and toast, unless they are at a funeral, where this is frowned upon. It is also customary for guests to finish their drink before they leave a venue, for good luck.

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