European Beer Tasting at The Ukrainian National Home

Stevan Stanisic
Oct 25, 2017
3 min read

The Ukrainian Cultural Center of Syracuse, Inc. is a non profit cultural facility in Syracuse, NY. It helps maintain local interest in Ukrainian culture and provides assistance to members of the local community.

It is housed in the Ukrainian National Home (UNH), a building in the Near Westside neighborhood of Syracuse.

Ukrainian National Home, Syracuse, NY

The Near Westside was originally populated in the 1800’s by Irish and Ukrainian immigrants. In the early part of the Twentieth Century, parts of this area were some of the wealthiest in Syracuse. It is now considered one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country.

Though considered a private club, UNH periodically holds fundraising events open to the public in part to finance their community outreach efforts. One of these, their 3rd annual European beer tasting, was being held while I was recently in the area visiting a friend.

Initially not knowing what to think upon arriving at UNC, I quickly warmed up to it. My friend and I arrived early, and we were able to go to the bar and get a beverage while we waited for the event to start. UNC was originally built in 1933, and I suspect the bar has changed little, if any since then.

Bar, Ukrainian National Home

What intrigued me about this bar was that it reminded me of many taverns from yesteryear when I was living in Milwaukee, WI. There is quite an eastern European influence in Milwaukee. Though establishments there like this are commonplace there, they can be hard to find in other parts of the country, especially Southwest Florida. Talking to patrons, it was $10 for a yearly social membership to UNH. As it was a private club, they also permitted smoking but were trying to phase it out. Smoking is now only permitted on Fridays until 7 PM! Currently, UNH has almost 500 members.

Now for the beer tasting.The event was held in UNC’s dance hall.

Dance hall, Ukrainian National Home

I thought it was interesting that the ticket taker for this event was in her 70’s and told us her grandparents were married in this facility. Upon entry we were given a wristband and a 4 oz. sampling glass.

Sampling glass, European beer tasting, Ukrainian National Home

Numerous tables were set up for various snacks but also for the beers served. All told there were 28 different beers from 11 different countries. Beers from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Scotland and the Ukraine were made available to attendees.

There were two very nice beers from the Carlow Brewing Company in Ireland, an O’Hara’s Irish Red and an Irish Pale Ale.

O’Hara’s Irish Beers

Irish beer table, European beer tasting

What was interesting was that each beer station had a bucket of peanuts, presumably as a palate cleanser, in between beer tastes.

Intriguing and equally delicious were the beers from Pardubicky Pivovar brewery in the Czech Republic. These were a Craft Boom Pardubice pale lager and pilsner beers. Pilsner beers originated in the Czech Republic many moons ago. No wonder it was so good.

Czech Republic beer table, European beer tasting

Probably most intriguing of all was one of the beers from Austria. This was brewed by the Schloss Eggenberg brewery, and is their Samichlaus lager. It is a Bavarian Doppelbock and at 14% ABV, is one of the strongest lagers in the world. Interestingly, Samichlaus means Santa Claus in Swiss/German dialect. This beer is only brewed on December 6th, the day of St. Nick, making it one of the rarest beers in the world.

Austrian beer table, European beer tasting

Most of the other beers offered that evening were very remarkable. Better yet, attendees could mix and match any of these beers in a 6 pack at the end of the evening for $20.00, an incredible value.

The European beer tasting at UNH was a really fun event and worth every penny at $35 for advance tickets and $45 the day of the event. This event is highly recommended. I thought UNH a unique and excellent community presence in Syracuse, NY.