Poland: There are about 70 breweries operating in Poland, but since the end of Soviet influence, they've been increasingly subject to that staple of capitalism: the corporate merger. Okocim and its sister brewer, Piast, are now owned by a conglomerate headed by Danish brewer Carlsberg. Zywiec and Lezajsk, along with another import, EB, are owned by the same company that owns Heineken. Zubr, made by the Dojlidy brewery, is owned by SABMiller, which also owns the Miller Brewing Co.

Polish beer like other beers from Eastern Europe, are increasingly available in the United States. Okocim and Zywiec are among the most popular Polish beers in America. But it's only in recent years that Polish beers have appeared here in any great number. Many of the Polish beers imported to the United States are golden lagers, broadly speaking, in the pilsner or pils style. Czech and German imports in that style are somewhat common.

27 October, 2004