Beer in Azerbaijan

Beer in Azerbaijan is typified by lighter lagers. Of the domestically produced beers, the most widely distributed is Xirdalan, formerly brewed by Baki-Castel (BGI) but bought by Baltika in 2008. As a sponsor of Baku's Eurovision Song Contest, Xirdalan issued special commemorative Eurovision cans and bottles in 2012. Other relatively widespread brands include Novxanı (brewed by Bakı-Praqa) and draft-only NZS. Beer drinking is growing in popularity in Azerbaijan. Unlike almost all CIS countries, the beer bottles in Azerbaijan are marked with excise duty sticker.