How the Untappd Community Can Continue to Support Ukraine
Over four months ago, we banded together as a craft beer community to support the people of Ukraine. For Untappd's part, we made a donation to the International Committee of the Red Cross to support their Ukrainian relief efforts.
Additionally, we released a special "Support for Ukraine" badge. In order to qualify, participating breweries needed to brew a beer with the goal of raising funds for awareness to support the people of Ukraine.
We were bowled over by the submissions that poured in.
Beyond that, we became aware of a two year long campaign to officially recognize the Ukrainian Golden Ale as an official style.
What Is a Ukrainian Golden Ale?
Beer judge and ambassador for Kyiv-based Varvar Brewery, Lana Svitankova has been striving for Ukrainian Golden Ale to be a publicly recognized style for the past two years, reaching out to organizations like the Beer Judge Certification Program (BCJP) and Untappd to add the style to its platforms. Last January, Svitankova and eight other Ukrainian beer professionals came together to create a taxonomic description of the style, classifying Ukrainian Golden Ale as a malt-focused ale with pale, wheat, and caramel malts, either Old or New word hops, a neutral yeast strain or Belgian one with very restrained phenols, and the option of adding coriander seeds.
While this style may sound similar to a Belgian Golden Ale or British Golden Ale, it's the local yeast that really sets it apart. Due to a limitation on ingredients, brewers in the Ukraine use a dry yeast with a profile sweeter than its Belgian brethren and a fuller body. The final beer tends to fall in a lower ABV range (5.5%-7.5%ABV).
While not linked to current events, this past April Untappd voted to recognize the style "Ukrainian Golden Ale" on the app. When considering adding a new category, Untappd Moderator votes must succeed by at least a sixty percent majority and have to show there is a difference between the named style and styles already available on Untappd.
"Not English and not Belgian, the Ukrainian Golden Ale is a product of its environment," says Kyle Roderick, Executive Vice President, Product at Next Glass, the parent company of Untappd. "Differences in local yeasts and ingredients lends a unique character to this style that we hope the community will get a chance to discover in their journey through beer."
By officially introducing "Ukrainian Golden Ale" as a style category on the app, Untappd is recognizing an important symbol of Ukrainian culture and identity.
"We can say that this style marked the beginning of the craft revolution in Ukraine," wrote Untappd moderator Mykhailo Dykun in a discussion around adding the style to the Untappd app back in March. "If in other countries the craft revolution is associated with IPAs or stouts, in our country it is golden ales that have become a first alternative to mass lagers."
First appearing on the scene in 2009, the Ukrainian Golden Ale emerged as a local favorite. In fact, last year Ukrainians drank 1.25 million liters of Ukrainian Golden Ale!
"It's national pride, to say you are not lagging behind all the rest of the world; you also have something of your own in terms of beer," Svitankova says in an article for Good Beer Hunting. "If people see Ukraine and talk about Ukrainian stuff, it helps keep the news on the surface. It helps with visibility and now, visibility is the only thing we can get."
And now more than ever is a good time to remind everyone that our efforts are still needed.
What Can You Do to Support Ukraine?
If you are brewing a special beer in support of Ukrainians, please submit your beer using this form to be included with this special Untappd "Support for Ukraine" badge.
And if you're drinking, consider buying one of these beers from the list of participating breweries and eligible beers. For easy reference, here are the current most checked-in beers as a part of the "Support for Ukraine" badge:
Most Checked-In Beers for the "Support for Ukraine" Badge
Beer - Brewery: Unlocks
1. Chernigivske Svitle (Чернігівське Світле0 - AB InBev Efes Ukraine: 4,391
4.6% ABV
N/A IBU
19,532 Ratings
2. No to War! Kyiv - PINTA: 1,731
7% ABV
35 IBU
2,329 Ratings
3. MRIYA IPA - BRLO: 1,668
6% ABV
30 IBU
3,003 Ratings
4. United For Ukraine - BrewDog: 1,506
5.2% ABV
N/A IBU
1,715 Ratings
5. SOLIDARITÄT | digital collab series 5/5- ATELIER VRAI: 1,502
SOLIDARITÄT | digital collab series 5/5
Collaboration with Blech.Brut, PZDK BREW
IPA - Imperial / Double New England / Hazy
8.1% ABV
N/A IBU
1,884 Ratings
6. No Tyrants - Funky Fluid: 1,449
5.5% ABV
N/A IBU
2,326 Ratings
7. Ārpus x Rebrew TDH Mosaic x Vic Secret IPA - Ārpus Brewing Co.: 1,246
6.5% ABV
N/A IBU
2,434 Ratings
8. Manifesto - Basqueland Brewing: 817
6.5% ABV
N/A IBU
1,164 Ratings
9. Oak Aged Vanilla & Chocolate Porter - The Garden Brewery: 667
5.5% ABV
20 IBU
2,339 Ratings
10. #NoWar - Lehe Pruulikoda: 622
5% ABV
25 IBU
887 Ratings
Consider Donating Directly to These Vetted Organizations to Support Ukraine
Beyond that, if these beers aren't available in your area. you can always consider making a direct donation to these ten vetted organizations, rated highly for their transparency, mission, and impactful work according to Charity Navigator.*
International Rescue Committee
At Untappd, we are committed to being a partner to the breweries, bars, restaurants, and retail locations where beer drinkers come together not only to enjoy the craft but to offer their support to those in need in this global community.
*This is a small sample. Please visit Charity Navigator here for a full list of vetted organizations and their ratings.
Toast
