Union Experience

The Union Experience is the visitor centre of the Union Brewery in Ljubljana, which stands on Celovška cesta, on the northern edge of the city centre near the Tivoli Park. Union is one of the two best-known beers of Slovenia, and the brewery has been a part of the life of the capital since the nineteenth century, when beer brewing grew into a major industry in the Habsburg lands. The company dates its beginnings to the 1860s, which means that the brewery has been operating for around a hundred and sixty years, and in that time it has weathered changes of empire, state and ownership, becoming one of the best-known brands in the country. The visitor centre offers a way into that story.

The experience combines a museum visit with a guided tour. The museum part tells the history of brewing in Ljubljana and of the Union Brewery, with exhibits of old equipment, bottles, labels, posters and photographs, and with stories and legends connected with the beer, some of them humorous. The guided tour goes through parts of the brewery and explains how beer is made, from malt and hops to fermentation and bottling, comparing the old methods with the modern ones. A virtual reality element is included, which takes visitors inside the production process and gives a different view of the machinery, and it is a feature that younger visitors in particular enjoy.

The tour ends with a tasting. Guests sample beer in a room modelled on an old inn, which fits the story of the brewery's early days, when beer was drunk in taverns by neighbours and travellers, and the guides explain how to taste and how to match beer with food. Those who do not drink alcohol are generally looked after, and the guides are often praised for making the tour interesting to everyone. Tours are given in Slovenian and English, and the length of a visit is about an hour and a half.

Because the experience is organised for small groups, advance booking is normally required, and tours run at set times on certain days of the week, so check the current schedule and book online or by email before going. Age limits for children and the cost of the ticket vary, and private groups can arrange special visits. The brewery is close to Tivoli Park, so a visit can be combined with a walk in the park or a trip to the city centre by bus.

The tour suits beer lovers, groups of friends, families with older children and visitors who enjoy industrial heritage. Wear comfortable shoes, since part of the tour is on foot.