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Exactly 250 years ago, the Dojlidy Brewery released the first batch of beer. Currently owned by Kompania Piwowarska, the oldest operating brewery in the city of Bialystok decided to celebrate the jubilee together with its employees, friends and locals. The birthday celebrations were as extraordinary as the occasion itself.
Birthday guests in the brew house
The first birthday guests knocked on the door of the brewery on September 1, when the celebrant invited the residents of Bialystok to take a tour around its premises, which remain unavailable for visitors on a daily basis. The brewery welcomed every person with one of the 250 free tickets handed over by local press and radio throughout August. It turned out that there were even more people eager to go behind the scenes of the brewery. In the end, the employees served as guides for 280 visitors, allowing them to closely observe every stage of the brewing process – from preparation of the wort to bottling.
– Walking around the brewery with our guests, we have covered many kilometres, answered numerous questions and heard countless words of gratitude. There is probably no better reward for us than the interest in our work and appreciation for the beer we brew – says smiled Jacek Winiarski, Director of the Dojlidy Brewery.
The visitors were one of the first people to see the refreshed logo and repainted tanks. Staring at them from above, the monumental silhouettes of the king of the forest remind about the fact it was here, at the Dojlidy Brewery, where the recipe for Poles’ favourite beer, Żubr, was born.
Brewery employees captured by Rafał Siderski
On the occasion of the jubilee, the brewery invited its employees to take part in a commemorative photo shoot. The role of the photographer was entrusted to Rafał Siderski, a well known Bialystok native who – as it turned out during the cooperation – also has a history with the Dojlidy Brewery, where he earned the money to buy his first camera.
– The brewery is one of the places in Bialystok that completes every biography of my hometown. It also constitutes a part of the personal biographies of many locals who have worked there over the years. During our photo shoot, we followed the professional and private paths of people standing in front of the camera, in order to tell their full story. And with the use of their stories – the story of the brewery itself – says Rafał Siderski.
The photo diptychs created during the shoot ended up at the exhibition presented at the picnic organized by the brewery for the employees. Later on, they will decorate the walls of the brewery as one of the jubilee souvenirs.
Sharing one table with Żubr
September celebrations were crowned by the birthday meeting with Żubr. Deeply rooted in the Dojlidy Brewery, the brand decided to gather its fans from the region and beyond at one table. On September 23, the first toast in front of the Dramatic Theatre in Bialystok was preceded by a celebratory tapping of a barrel full of freshly brewed Żubr, performed by the mayor and the director of the Dojlidy Brewery. Everyone wanted to have a taste of the beer. Some guests enjoyed local delicacies, while others tried their hand at preparing local dishes during culinary workshops led by Jerzy Nogal. And let’s not forget about dancing. The first sounds of Bum Bum Orkestar encouraged many brave individuals to get on the outdoor dance floor. The concert evening ended with performances by Tulia and Łąki Łan bands, whose most popular songs kept the residents of the Podlasie region going until late at night.
Besides a surprise for beer lovers, Żubr has also prepared a gift for all employees of Kompania Piwowarska. Every one of them got a commemorative beer mug reminding about the double jubilee.
