Over 30,000 pints-worth of Kyiv-based Varvar Brew’s eclectic craft beers have been ordered by the UK’s bars, pubs, restaurants and retailers in just 4 days, as part of an initiative to show support and raise money for the people of Ukraine.
Launched by Hertfordshire-based business Euroboozer last Friday, the craft and speciality beer importer is hoping to rescue roughly 45,000 pints of beer from Varvar Brew, which has had to close down since the invasion.
The brewery is desperate to sell its stock to raise much-needed funds for food, medicine, to pay taxes and wages and to support the country as a whole.
Thanks to the incredible backing from the On and Off-trade in the UK before the initial cut off last Tuesday (29th March), the first lorry is now being loaded and hoping to set off from Kyiv on Thursday 31st March to arrive in the UK around the 6th April.
Martyn Railton continued:
“The support so far from pubs, bars, restaurants and retailers has been overwhelming so we can’t thank each and every one of them enough. The lorry still has to make it safely out of Ukraine but we’re confident the stock should arrive on the 6th April. If all goes to plan, we will ensure everyone has their orders before the 14th April so as many people as possible around the UK can raise a glass in support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine, while helping to raise money.”
In addition to paying Varvar the full price for the stock, Euroboozer will also be donating all profits from the sale of the beer to www.drinkersforukraine.com, which is raising money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
The hospitality and retail businesses who have agreed to stock the beers have also agreed to run their own fundraising initiatives.
Businesses already supporting the initiative and set to stock the beers include MEATliquor, Brewdog, Alberts Schloss, London Shuffle, Market Taverns, Graceland Pubs, Trembling Madness, Indiebeer and Beautiful Beers to name a few. A full list of stockists will be announced and promoted once the beer has safely landed.
Martin Dawson of Varvar Brew said:
“Our brewery has been unable to operate since the war began and we have stock in our warehouse in Kyiv that we are desperately looking to sell. The situation in Kyiv is unpredictable, and we don’t know exactly how many days we will still be able to get our hands on our beer. Hopefully each and every beer that leaves the country can provide real enjoyment but also play a role in keeping our fight at the front of people’s minds. Our beer is made with a tank full of Ukrainian passion and the finest ingredients so we don’t want to see it destroyed.”
For retailers, restaurants, pubs and bars interested in being involved and stocking the beers, visit www.euroboozer.co.uk/blog/
About Varvar Brew
An independent and ambitious craft brewery founded in a former sawmill in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2015. With a passion for brewing great beers, the brewery has garnered a loyal following within Ukraine’s burgeoning craft beer scene. Running two brewhouses – 2,000 L and 500 L, they produce over 750,000 L of beer per year across four lines; traditional craft, modern craft, barrel-aged and sours, and experimental.
Ukraine is the breadbasket of Europe so the brewery often incorporates fruits, berries and herbs, as well as some more unusual ingredients – tomato, gherkin, horseradish, beetroot, birch sap and seaweed into its recipes. Taking great pride in representing their country at international competitions, festivals, and in collaborations, the brewery aims to show the world what Ukraine has to offer.
Some of the brewery’s recent tours of the UK have included collaborations with Siren (Mavka, imperial porter), Marble (Reminiscence, old ale), Pomona Island (Ratamahatta, NEIPA), Carnival (Muddler, imperial gose), North (Smoked Stout, stout), Heist (Limbo Shots, NEIPA), and Neon Raptor (Rise & Paul, NEIPA).
For further information visit – www.varvarbrew.com.
About Euroboozer
Started from the back of an old VW Vento in 2003, Euroboozer was set up by beer lover Martyn Railton, initially importing Austrian brands Stiegl, Schremser and Hirter. The company soon branched out across Europe and the Atlantic helping to drive the craft beer trend in the UK.
Nineteen years on the VW Vento has gone to be replaced with offices and a warehouse in Hertfordshire and Euroboozer now supplies some of the finest food and beverage establishments and retailers in the country.
In addition to the Austrian beers, the company exclusively distributes Andechs, Blakstoc, Harpoon and Other Half, as well as ten exciting Czech craft breweries and a host of leading UK brewers.
For further information, please visit www.euroboozer.co.uk or follow on Instagram – @euroboozer and Twitter @Euroboozer.
Press release from Euroboozer
Contact: sam@hungrycommunications.co.uk