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Live beer is unfiltered and unpasteurised — the natural yeast stays in the bottle. Most commercial beers are filtered and heat-treated to extend shelf life and ensure consistency. We skip both steps. The result is a beer that is still alive, still developing, and full of natural character you simply cannot get from a processed product.

Water, barley malt, hops, and yeast. That is it. No additives, no stabilisers, no shortcuts. The water comes from pristine Latvian sources and the grain is milled to order.

Same recipe, same batch, different format. The 1L swing-top bottle is designed for sharing — open it at the table and pour. The 0.33L crown-cap bottle is a single serve, ideal when you want the full Doles Alus experience on your own terms. The 0.33L was introduced in 2023, a year after the 1L.

Both bottles are 5.45% ABV. We have not chased a higher number — the strength is what the recipe naturally produces and we leave it at that.

Keep it cold. Ideally between 2°C and 8°C. Because the beer is unpasteurised and alive, temperature is the main thing that controls how it continues to develop. A warm cellar is acceptable short-term but a fridge is always better.

The 1L bottle is best within 3 months of release. The 0.33L is best within 2 months. These are not hard expiry dates — the beer does not suddenly go bad — but the flavour is at its peak early. Live beer is not designed to sit on a shelf for a year.

Upright is best for crown-cap bottles. For the 1L swing-top, either works. Keeping a small air gap at the top means the beer breathes naturally, which is exactly what you want.

Use the contact form on our Contact page or call us directly. We do not currently run an automated online checkout — we confirm every order personally. This lets us check batch availability and make sure the beer reaches you in the best condition.

Yes, within Latvia. We use chilled courier delivery to make sure the beer travels at the right temperature. For Rīga and the surrounding area, delivery is typically next day. For other regions, allow 2 to 3 days.

We have exported to three countries since 2024 and are open to more. Contact us directly to discuss international orders — quantities, shipping conditions, and timelines vary by destination and we handle each one individually.

Yes. The 1L bottle comes in cases of 12. The 0.33L bottle comes in cases of 24. Case orders get priority when batches are limited.

Yes. We welcome visitors by appointment. Dole Island is a short drive from Rīga and Salaspils — we are in Dāvidi on the island. Email or call ahead and we will make sure someone is here to meet you.

From Rīga, take the A6 towards Daugavpils and turn off at Salaspils. The island is accessible by road — there is a bridge. Follow the signs for Doles sala. The drive from central Rīga takes around 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.

Occasionally, yes. We do small group tastings at the brewery when a new batch is ready. Follow us or check back on this site for dates. If you have a group of six or more, contact us and we can arrange something private.

Yes. We work with a small number of carefully selected venues in Latvia. If you run a restaurant, bar, or bottle shop and want to carry Doles Alus, get in touch. We prefer long-term relationships with places that understand and respect live beer.

Minimum orders for trade are two cases (24 bottles of 1L or 48 bottles of 0.33L). We do not split cases for wholesale orders.