Its borders are softly defined, but its five primary countries are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikstan, and Uzbekistan. The region’s borders are China to the east, Russia to the north, the Caspian Sea to the west, and Afghanistan to the south. All five nations were former states of the Soviet Union and regained their independence during its collapse in 1991. Since then, all five countries have struggled to find prosperity and stability, with varying results.

Although the inhabitants of the five nations of Central Asia primarily practice Islam, which observes the ruling of the Quran against alcohol in all forms, many locals drink alcohol regularly. While vodka, introduced by the Russians, is the drink of choice, beer is currently gaining in popularity. Favored beers are generally imported from Russian and Europe. Popular beers in the region are St. Petersburg’s Baltika, and on-tap favorites are Tian-Shansky and Shimkent from Kazakhstan and Siberian Crown from Russia.

Kyrgyzstan is currently undergoing a significant beer revival. The country’s National Statistics Committee reported in early 2010 that one sixth of the country’s adults drink beer regularly. The first brewery in Kyrgyzstan opened in Kara-Kol in the 1800s. By the beginning of the 20th century, five breweries were producing beer. During Soviet times, Osh, Kara-Balta, Talas, and Kochkor all had breweries. But during an anti-alcohol campaign of the 1980s production was cut and people moved toward alcohol in other forms.

Currently two major breweries are producing beer in Kyrgyzstan—Abdysh-Ata and Arpa, which together produce more than 90% of the country’s beer. Most of it is consumed locally, with small percentages exported to Russia and Kazakhstan.

Beer is primarily sold in cafes and beer stands, although in the city of Bishkek, there are six beer pubs and two breweries, Steinbrau and Blonder Pub.