Rise and Fall of Beer Lovers’ Parties in East Central Europe: Party History and General Lessons

Abstract

Abstract:This article deals with the process of how beer drinking became a factor in party organization in East Central European politics in the 1990s. It presents historical data on party formation in several nations (Ukraine, Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary) as well as campaign activity and results. The characteristics and history of beer lovers’ parties are not simply illustrations of postcommunist party systems. Party organizers saw beer drinking as conveying a complex and coherent message that would attract members and followers: friendly beer drinking suggests a peaceful political climate; beer brewing is closely connected to manufacturing, agriculture, and the hospitality industry; it is also a starting point for environmental protection. They found that while beer is indeed a complex symbol, it was not enough to sustain a successful party. And yet an exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of beer parties, and of these parties’ birth and eventual demise, provides valuable insights into both the region and the early postcommunist era.