“Istok” conquers all: who has won the bartending contest Lidskae BeerMaster 2025

Lidskae BeerMaster 2025, a high-profile bartending contest, has become a source of unforgettable impressions and new tastes inspired by the Belarusian culture and heritage. The contestants used creative combinations of ingredients to tell stories about their native land filled with a distinctive atmosphere. The panel of judging experts chose the winners in the final part of the contest which took place on June 4th.

This year, the contest brought together bartenders from all over the country, both from big cities and from small villages. Each cocktail represents a part of Belarus: Polesie myths about mermaids or inspirations from artists Marc Chagall and Kazimir Malevich, spectacular cityscape outlines and fields of cornflower blue, amazing legends and traditions of homeland.

Lidskae BeerMaster 2025 was held in several stages; the exciting final stage was hosted by Lidbeer’s bar "Aksamitny". There were 16 finalists who made a bid for the title of the best bartender. The members of the judging panel unanimously praised memorable performance and high professional level of the contestants. Each stage of the contest involved assessment of creativity of the name and concept, imaginativeness of presentation, taste of the drink and brand integration. The finalists were able to interest the judges not only with their original recipes based on Lidskae Premium, but also with nonconventional presentations. They turned cocktailmaking into a theatrical narrative of stories and legends, and each drink has become a small masterpiece telling about their native places. All finalists received diplomas and tickets to the LIDBEER festival.

The judges were especially impressed by the cocktails "Istok" (Springhead), "Yadnannie"(Unity), and "Legenda Torgovykh Putey" (Legend of Trade Routes); their authors became the winners:

• 1 place – Aleksandra Bystrik, bar "Legendar", Minsk
• 2 place – Roman Ignatchik, bar Embargo, Minsk
• 3 place – Nikita Zvernik, bar "Konkors", Minsk

It was for the first time this year that the organisers of the contest held an online audience vote with over 1,200 participants casting their votes for the best signature drinks. The Audience Choice Award was awarded to Aleksey Smirnov with cocktail Sun City, dedicated to his sunny home town, Molodechno.

For our company, Lidskae BeerMaster 2025 became a unique opportunity to unite Belarus through its rich traditions. We are glad to create a platform where bartenders can not only reveal their talent, but also show history of Belarus through cocktails. Representatives of Lidskoe PivoOJSC say that the company, being the industry leader, always supports the growth of professionals who create outstanding tastes and convey new sensations, thereby increasing the culture of beverage consumption.

Lidskae BeerMaster contest has been held since 2015 and is a landmark event in the Belarusian bar industry. Due to its creative format, professional bartenders are able to master their skills and amateurs can find inspirations and new ideas.