How Russians Changed Craft Beer in Serbia

In these past three years, over 350,000 Russians have started a new life in Serbia.  Of course, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has driven this.  Most of the Ukrainians relocated to the European Union.  However, most of the Russians, on the other hand, did not have the option to enter the European Union.  So many chose Serbia.

As a result of this, in 2024, over 9,000 Russian businesses have opened in Serbia.  Many of these businesses are cafes and bars which have a distinctly different look and feel from typical Serbian institutions.  They serve traditional Russian cuisine, boutique coffee, and unique craft beers (also often Russian.) 

Are these Russians in Serbia evil thuggish terrorists?  Do they see me, as an American, as their enemy? 

Nope.  On the contrary, many of these Russians wave Ukrainian flags in Belgrade’s protests while wear My Little Kitty hats.  Later, they go to bars for Dungeons ‘N’ Dragons tournaments, stand-up comedy shows and bottles of geeky craft beer.

Real Beer Geeks

In short, most of these Russians are nerds.  And generally they are opposed to the war.  Many of them are well-paid programmers who work online in IT, and they earn a salary which enables them to live comfortably in Serbia.  A lot of their money goes into expensive craft beer.  So it seems – since I’ve spent many a night myself drinking with them, plotting, scheming.  Together – us Americans and Russians – we make great CIA and KGB spies.

(Yeah. The KGB no longer exists.  It’s called the FSB now.)

Where do these Russians get their craft beer?  Some of these bars are easy to find; other like us spies, are hidden off the beaten path. Here are some drinking establishments where you can go to experience a little bit of Moscow in Belgrade.  Not all of these places are owned by Russians, but they all at least have Russians working with them in some capacity.

Russian Craft Bars & Brewpubs In Belgrade

1. Axiom Belgrade

Visnjiceva 2, Beograd