Winter beer festival ŽMOGŠALA'12"
ŽMOGŠALA is living proof that Lithuania truly is a beer country! For the 12th time, the winter season will bring together independent breweries and independent beer lovers under one roof.
As always, the festival will feature the very best of Lithuania’s craft beer scene – the top brewers, importers, homebrewers, and this year’s exciting addition: local bars ready to surprise your palate!
This event is for those who want to:
- Train and challenge their taste buds
- Dive deeper into the mysteries of fermentation
- Meet brewers and beer judges in person
- Discover creativity in the art of brewing
- Become part of the beer culture itself
ŽMOGŠALA isn’t just for beer fans – it’s also for those who think they don’t like beer... because they haven’t yet discovered how diverse and unpredictable this drink can be.
It’s important to note that craft cider and mead producers are also joining the festival, which is why we proudly call ŽMOGŠALA a celebration of “fermented drinks made with love and imagination.”
PROGRAM
12:00 – First glass poured & launch of the “Winter 2026 TOP Beer” vote
Everyone at the festival is a judge!
12:12 – Group photo with all participants & official festival opening toast
13:15 – Documentary short film “Beer”
Director: Milda Baginskaitė
14:00 – Lecture & tasting:
“Zero Is No Longer Zero: The Era of Non-Alcoholic Beer”
with beer sommelier JORIS PUIDOKAS
(Entry with an additional €10 per person ticket)
This lecture-discussion explores the rapid rise of non-alcoholic beer. During the tasting, five different non-alcoholic beers will be sampled, allowing participants to compare styles, characters, and different approaches to “zero”.
15:30 – (in English) Lecture:
“Distinctive Features of Lithuanian Brewing”
with brewer, archaeologist, and historical & prehistoric brewing reconstruction specialist SIMONAS GUTAUTAS
(Entry with an additional €10 per person ticket)
A unique opportunity to understand why Lithuanian beer is not just “another style,” but a distinct phenomenon on the European beer map. The lecture will be accompanied by practical sensory examples to help better experience and understand the topics discussed.
17:00 – Lecture & tasting:
“Brewer’s Stories”
with brewer and Head of the Brewers’ Academy ARTŪRAS MASILIAUSKAS
(Entry with an additional €10 per person ticket)
The session will cover beer recipe logic, creative decisions, failures and successes, and how beer evolves from the first idea to the final version. For some, this may be a first chance to taste wort, hop “tea,” or to understand the difference between a “first-grader” and a “second-grader” beer — not in theory, but through flavor and aroma.
18:00 – Documentary short film “Beer”
Director: Milda Baginskaitė
Before the screening – a meeting with the film’s main character Armantas Baginskas
19:00 – Award ceremony for the “Winter 2026 TOP Beer”, chosen by Žmogšala’12 festival visitors
20:00 – Turning up the volume and the tempo!!!
21:00 – Festival closing toast!
(The program may be subject to minor changes or additions.)
Tastings will be served in special festival glasses, with pours of up to 150 ml. You can buy the official ŽMOGŠALA tasting glass on-site, or bring one from previous years. Drinks and food are not included in the ticket price.
Please note: photography and filming may take place during the event. By attending, you agree that your image may appear publicly on social media or other media channels.
IMPORTANT
ŽMOGŠALA promotes responsible drinking and encourages guests to enjoy the festival in a respectful and mindful way.
Festival participants have the right to refuse serving drinks to anyone who appears intoxicated. Intoxicated guests will not be allowed to enter the event, and no refunds will be issued for such cases.
DATE: February 7, 2026 (Saturday)
VENUE: Litexpo, Vilnius
MORE INFO: zmogsala.lt
INSTA: @zmogsala
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ORGANIZER: Alaus brolija