New Croatian craft whiskey “NEBO” is born from distilling and brewing collaboration

Ivan, Petar and Nikola Nauković from Pivovara Medvedgrad (Photo: mesinovicphoto)

Two craft institutions have come together for the first time in a joint project that blurs the boundaries between brewing and distilling.

Pivovara Medvedgrad and Spirit in a Bottle, the team behind the renowned Old Pilot’s brand, have combined their passion and respect for raw ingredients, process, and time to introduce NEBO.

This single malt whiskey clearly reflects both worlds: the precision of craft brewing and the patience of top-tier distillation, with a character that begins in the brewery and matures in an oak barrel.

Through an innovative approach, they have created a premium product and a unique experience that delivers enjoyment in every sip.

Nebo (Photo: mesinovicphoto)

With this collaboration, Pivovara Medvedgrad steps beyond the world of beer and enters the world of whiskey for the first time in its history. NEBO is therefore not just the name of a whiskey, but also a new chapter in the Croatian craft scene, one where boundaries no longer exist.

Another important link between these brands lies in their labels, which tell stories. While Pivovara Medvedgrad draws inspiration from Zagreb legends, Spirit in a Bottle explores themes of the skies as well as some of Croatia’s most famous inventions.

(Photo: mesinovicphoto)

The vastness of the sky has always inspired those bold enough to dream and explore, and this Croatian story of collaboration shows just how far a shared vision, trust, and the courage to step beyond familiar boundaries can take you.

It all began in 2020, with the meeting of two worlds, distilling and brewing. Two teams, united by a passion for craftsmanship and a commitment to quality, set out to explore what happens when their expertise intertwines.

Pivovara Medvedgrad, the largest and oldest craft brewery, played a key role in the initial phase of production through mashing and fermentation.

Their long-standing experience in precise and controlled brewing, particularly of demanding lager styles, brought a deep understanding of raw materials and fermentation processes.

Once the aromatic profile was established in the brewery, the beer was transferred to the Spirit in a Bottle distillery, where it continued its journey through distillation and aging, with the goal of preserving the character developed in the brewing phase.

At the heart of this story lies carefully selected malt. However, the true innovation is found in the approach: instead of traditional distillers’ yeast, brewer’s yeast was used, opening the door to experimentation from an early stage.

Further development took place in smaller, 100-litre oak barrels, adding extra layers of complexity and roundness to the project.

(Photo: mesinovicphoto)

Every step was the result of thoughtful decisions and mutual trust, the very element that distinguishes ordinary collaboration from true partnership.

What makes this initiative particularly special is that it is not a one-off project, but an ongoing process that evolves and builds year after year. Each new batch once again highlights the relationship between partners who share the same business philosophy, one that places quality, authenticity, and long-term value first.

From the same beginning, a new chapter is soon to follow. Inspired by the same malt and the initial production process, Pivovara Medvedgrad’s new beer, Medo Veliki, offers an intriguing blend of tradition and innovation.

New beer Medo Veliki (Photo: mesinovicphoto)

This new amber lager carries recognizable characteristics, the same raw ingredients as the NEBO whiskey – resulting in a rich beer with a whiskey-like character.

Its name is inspired by the constellation Ursa Major, one of the most recognizable in the night sky, symbolizing orientation, endurance, and stability.

“This project was a natural next step for us, an opportunity to explore how far we can go when we step outside our own boundaries while staying true to who we are. We are especially excited that the same initial idea has also led to the development of a new beer, Medo Veliki- a product that tells the same story in its own way, but through the language of brewing,” adds Ivan Nauković from Pivovara Medvedgrad.

(Photo: mesinovicphoto)

From the Spirit in a Bottle distillery, they add: “From the very beginning, we knew we weren’t creating something one-off, but rather building a relationship that would develop over time. That is what gives the entire project its special depth. Collaborations like this show that the greatest value arises not when different approaches compete, but when they complement each other – and when there is trust that together we can create something new,” concludes Tomislav Anadolac.

Tomislav Anadolac (Photo: mesinovicphoto)

This Croatian initiative once again confirms that innovation does not have to mean a departure from tradition, but rather its reinterpretation.

When knowledge, experience, and passion come together in the right place, the result is projects that not only push the boundaries of the craft, but also set new standards for collaboration.

(Photo: mesinovicphoto)