Kvass is a fermented, cereal-based, low-alcoholic beverage with a cloudy appearance and a sweet-sour taste. It is believed to have originated in northeastern Europe, where grain production was insufficient for beer to become a daily drink. The drink is made from rye bread or rye flour and malt soaked in hot water, fermented with the help of sugar and yeast. While it is considered non-alcoholic in Eastern Europe, it can contain up to 1.2% ABV.
Kvass is a popular drink in several countries, including Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, and Ukraine, and is also consumed in parts of Finland, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and China. In these countries, it is typically sold in cafes, brewpubs, and restaurants, as well as on the streets by vendors.
In the United States, kvass is available in some speciality stores selling Eastern European products and has started to gain popularity among Americans. It can also be found in the United Kingdom, following the influx of immigrants after the 2004 enlargement of the European Union.
What You'll Learn
Where to buy kvass beer in the US
Kvass is a fermented drink made from grains, typically rye bread or rye flour, and is usually very low in alcohol content. It has been consumed in Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe for centuries and is often sold by street vendors during the summer.
While it may be challenging to find authentic, traditional kvass in the US, there are several options for purchasing it online and in stores. Here are some places where you can buy kvass in the US:
Online Options:
- Amazon: Amazon offers a wide range of kvass brands, including Russian, Ukrainian, and Lithuanian varieties. You can find both traditional rye bread kvass and modern versions with added flavours such as beet, ginger, and turmeric.
- RussianFoodUSA: This online store specializes in Russian products and offers a large selection of kvass brands, including sweet and traditional varieties. They provide free shipping for orders over $200 and deliver to any US address.
Physical Stores:
- Russian/Eastern European Markets: Your local Russian or Eastern European market is likely to carry kvass. These specialty stores often have a variety of Eastern European products, including kvass.
- Russian Restaurants: Some Russian restaurants may have a small shop section that sells Eastern European grocery items, including kvass.
Keep in mind that the kvass commonly found in the US may differ from the traditional version, as it is often a sweetened, watered-down version of the authentic drink. However, some producers are now reviving traditional methods to offer a more authentic kvass experience.
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Where to buy kvass beer in the UK
Kvass is a fermented, cereal-based, low-alcoholic beverage of cloudy appearance and sweet-sour taste. It is made from a mash obtained from rye bread or rye flour and malt soaked in hot water, fermented for about 12 hours with the help of sugar and bread yeast or baker's yeast at room temperature.
In the UK, you can buy kvass from Curators of Craft, which offers free UK delivery on all orders over £70 and local delivery for £3.50. You can also buy it from QuasDrinks, which offers free next-day delivery.
If you are in London, you can find kvass in a variety of off-licences, including Dalston Local on Kingsland High Street, Mama Nasha in Cambridge Heath and Deptford, and Banya No.1 near Old Street. Several Russian restaurants and shops in London also stock kvass, including Kalinka in Queensway and Zima in Soho.
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Where to buy kvass beer in Russia
Kvass is a fermented drink made from cereal or rye bread with a slight alcoholic content. It is a popular drink in Russia and other Eastern European countries.
In Russia, you can buy kvass from street vendors, who often dispense it from mobile tanks, or in 2-litre bottles, similar to soda. It is also available in some supermarkets and grocery stores.
Some popular brands of kvass in Russia include:
- Ochakovsky
- Russky dar
- Khlebny kray
- Kruzhka i bochka
- Nikola
You can also find Coca-Cola-branded kvass, as the company launched its own brand in 2008.
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Where to buy kvass beer in Poland
Kvass, or "the acid", is a popular drink in Poland. It is a fermented, cereal-based, low-alcoholic beverage with a cloudy appearance and a sweet-sour taste. It is made from stale bread, usually toasted and then soaked and fermented, and can be sweetened with sugar, honey, or fruit.
Although kvass is not as popular in Poland as it is in other Eastern European countries, it has been present in the country for centuries and is now making an artisanal comeback. You can find it in some supermarkets and grocery stores, where it is known in Polish as kwas chlebowy. Commercial bottled versions of the drink are the most common variant, with some companies manufacturing a more modern version of the drink. Some of these are made in Poland, while others are imported from neighbouring countries like Lithuania and Ukraine.
If you're looking to buy a good brand of kvass in Poland, you might want to try Obolon, a sweet Ukrainian brand that is available in bottles in Polish shops. Another option is to go to a Ukrainian store, which usually carries a large number of kvass brands. You can also try making your own with a kit from Browin.
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Where to buy kvass beer in Canada
Kvass is a fermented beverage made from dried rye bread and flavoured with fruits, raisins, or herbs. It is typically low in alcohol content and has a unique taste that is often likened to a blend of pop and beer.
In Canada, there are several places where you can buy Kvass beer. Here are some options for where to buy it in Toronto and other parts of Canada:
Toronto
- All Stars Bakery: This bakery produces authentic Kvass, using day-old rye bread, sugar, raisins, and bacterial culture.
- Freshco: You can find Kvass in the international aisle at Freshco, with some locations selling it for around $1.60 for a 2-litre bottle.
- Yummy Market: Some locations of this market carry Kvass in their international foods section.
- No Frills: Select No Frills stores in the North York area may have Kvass in their international foods section.
- Vatra Cheese and Deli: Located on the north side of Bloor Street near Six Points Plaza, this deli sells Kvass.
- Russian/Ukrainian delis: Various Russian and Ukrainian delis around the city may carry Kvass.
- Starsky: A possible stockist of Kvass.
Ottawa
Beau's: Beau's brewed Killer Kvass in collaboration with Half Pints Brewing from Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is available for home delivery in Ottawa via BYBO.ca.
Online
Amazon: Amazon offers a variety of Kvass options, including imported Russian brands, which can be delivered to various locations in Canada.
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Frequently asked questions
Kvass is available in some supermarkets and grocery stores in the US, though it is more common in Eastern Europe. You can also find it in specialist Eastern European stores.
Since the 2004 enlargement of the European Union, several stores selling Eastern European beverages have opened in the UK, many of which stock imported (pasteurised) kvass.
In Russia, kvass is available in most supermarkets and can be bought from street vendors in the summertime.
In Lithuania, kvass (known locally as gira) is available in bottles and drafts in many restaurants and brewpubs.
Jester King Brewery in Austin, Texas, brews a farmhouse ale called Jester King Kvass.