The collection consists of archive photos, papers, beer bottles from nearly a century ago, mugs, glasses, and beer openers. ‘We started collecting exhibits back in February,’ says Stoyna Kostadinova, junior manager in Zagorka Brewery. Many former and current employees of the company respond and donate exhibits. The town’s history museum, library, art gallery and archives joined the campaign.

“Among the most interesting exhibits with which we are proudest are a beer bottle from 1902,” says Stoyna Kostadinova. “The bottle is from the time of Andrey Brashovanov – the first trained brewer in Bulgaria. We also have some of his personal belongings such as books, mugs and textbooks that he wrote. Brashovanov studied in Germany that’s why all textbooks are in German. Days before officially opening the museum, we received photos and papers from Dr. Konstantin Kozuharov, founder of the brewery. He graduated medicine in Prague and married a Czech woman there. After that he returned home and brought back his love of beer. With the help of local entrepreneurs, Dr. Kozuharov opened the first brewery in the town of Stara Zagora in 1902.”

The exhibits in the collection are ordered thematically following the production process, says Stoyna Kostadinova. The idea is to be able to see past and present at the same time. Looking at the photos, visitors can see how things were in the past while looking around they can see how the beer is being produced at the moment. For instance, by the brewery’s contemporary laboratory, which examines the quality of the beer, visitors can see different laboratory devices now museum exhibits. More from Stoyna Kostadinova:

“On the third floor we have a specially designated area where the actual process of beer brewing can be observed by visitors,” says Stoyna Kostadinova. “There are huge copper tanks and they are the ‘heart’ of the brewery. Visitors can also see old beer production installations and other devices used in the production process. They can see and really taste the malt and hops used for beer production. The beer is a natural product derived from the fermentation of malt and hops mixed with water.”

At the end of the ‘live’ tour of the museum, the visitors are taken to a special room where they can actually taste beer with appropriate side dishes. “What’s different here is the fact that we offer actual tasting of live beer – one not yet filtered and ready for sale,” says Stoyna Kostadinova. Live beer is different, it’s unclear but it is very nutritional. It has less alcohol in it. It is tastier and less bitter.

English version: Delian Zahariev
Photo: Zagorka Brewery