Arabella Franco
Do Greeks drink beer? The short answer is yes, but not to the same extent as wine. While Greece is famous for its wine, beer has been produced in the country since 2000 BC. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that beer was consumed in Greece during the Bronze Age (3,300 to 1,200 BC).
The Ancient Egyptians were the first to show evidence of beer consumption, documenting the brewing process on papyrus scrolls dating back to 5,000 BC. This process made its way to Greece, where remains associated with beer have been discovered.
Today, Greece's beer market is dominated by major brands like Fix, Mythos, Alfa, and Vergina. However, the country has also seen a rise in microbreweries, with craft beers gaining popularity, especially among younger generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beer popularity in Greece | Beer is not as famous in Greece as wine, but it has become more popular in recent years. |
| History of beer in Greece | There is evidence of beer production in Greece dating back to the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BC). The Ancient Egyptians documented the brewing process on papyrus scrolls around 5000 BC, and this knowledge made its way to Greece. |
| Major Greek beer brands | Fix, Santorini Brewing Company, and Zeos. Athenian Brewing (a subsidiary of Heineken) and the Olympic Brewery (a subsidiary of the Carlsberg Group) are also popular. |
| Common beer types in Greece | Lager (blond and dark), pilsener, and IPA. |
| Most popular Greek beer | Mythos, a blond lager with a refreshing mild sweet taste. |
| Beer consumption in Greece | In 2021, the average beer consumption in Greece was 32 liters per person per year. Beer is particularly popular among younger generations and is often consumed during the summer and at festivals. |
| Greek microbreweries | There has been a recent increase in the number of microbreweries in Greece, with a growing demand for specialized products and support for local businesses. |
What You'll Learn
Beer in Greece today
Although wine is still the most popular alcoholic drink in Greece, beer has become increasingly popular in recent years, with consumption growing by a factor of five since the 1960s. In 2014, beer production in Greece reached 3.75 million hectolitres, contributing 494 million euros to the Greek economy.
The most common types of beer in Greece are lagers (both blond and dark), pilseners, and IPAs. The most popular Greek beer is Mythos, a blond lager with a refreshing, mildly sweet taste. Other popular brands include Fix, Vergina, Alfa, and Mamos.
Greece has a growing craft beer scene, with approximately 65 active microbreweries in the country as of 2020. These small-scale breweries produce a variety of innovative and high-quality beers, often using locally sourced ingredients. Popular microbreweries include Nissos, Septem, Kirki, Corfu Beer, Piraiki, and Kykao.
Greek beer culture is also celebrated through festivals and events, such as the Exhibition of Greek Breweries in Kalamata, the Corfu Beer Festival, and the Peloponnese Beer Festival.
When ordering a beer in Greece, the phrase to use is "Bira, parakaló" ("beer, please" in Greek). To toast, Greeks say "Stin eye-ee-yass-ooh", capturing the spirit of togetherness and celebration.
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Greek beer history
The history of beer in Greece goes back to the Bronze Age (3,300 to 1,200 BC), as evidenced by archaeological excavations that revealed artefacts and materials used for beer production. Ancient Greeks likely consumed beer, but it was not as popular as wine, which was the preferred beverage in Ancient Greece, with the culture even having an official God of Wine, Dionysius.
Beer is believed to have reached Greece by 5000 BC from Ancient Egypt, which had evidence of beer consumption dating back to 5,000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians documented the brewing process on papyrus scrolls, and this knowledge made its way to Greece and other European countries. However, beer became more popular in northern Europe due to the availability of key brewing ingredients from northern crops. As a result, Greece continued to be associated with wine, and they often referred to northerners as 'barbarians'.
The first modern Greek brewery was founded in 1864 by Charles Johann Fuchs, a Bavarian settler named Johann Ludwig Fuchs, who initially sold home-brewed beer from his house in Kolonaki. The Fix brewery in Athens, established by Charles Johann Fuchs, became the first official brewery in Greece. Beer remained a rarity in Greece during this time, mostly available only in major cities.
In the 1900s, travellers from Germany contributed to the growing consumption of beer in Greece, and similar German breweries were founded. Numerous breweries were formed, and microbreweries flourished across the country. Today, beer consumption in Greece has increased significantly, with various brands available nationwide and sold in supermarkets, mini markets, and kiosks. While wine remains the predominant drink, beer has expanded its market share and become an important industry for the Greek economy, providing thousands of jobs.
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Popular Greek beer brands
While Greece is famous for its wine, it also has some of the most refreshing local beers and breweries in Europe. In fact, archaeological evidence suggests that beer was produced in Greece as far back as 2000 BC.
The first modern Greek brewery was founded in 1864, and since then, beer has become an important part of the local culture and economy. Today, there are numerous popular Greek beer brands, including:
Mythos
Mythos is arguably the most popular Greek beer and is consumed both within the country and internationally. It is a blond lager with a refreshing mild sweet taste and a 4.7% alcohol content. Mythos was introduced to the Greek market in 1997 and is now owned by the Carlsberg Group.
Fix
Fix is the oldest official brewery in Greece, founded in Athens in 1864 by Charles Johann Fuchs, whose father, Johann Ludwig Fuchs, had been producing beer in the country for around 30 years prior. Fix was the King's favourite beer and remained the only Greek beer for over 100 years. It is a premium lager with soft flavours and a light bitterness.
Alfa
ALFA or ΑΛΦΑ is one of Greece's oldest beer brands and the first to bear a Greek name. It is a golden-hued beer with a moderate malt yeast fragrance, a sparkling gold colour, and a 5% alcohol content. It is produced by the Athenian Brewery in Athens using only Greek barley and a traditional recipe.
Mamos
Mamos is a full-bodied beer with a distinct hop scent, a thick head, and a lingering finish. It has a 5% ABV and was released in 2018 as a collaboration between the Athenian Brewery and the Patras-based Mamos family business brewery.
Vergina
Vergina is a Greek pale lager produced by the Macedonian Thrace Brewery in Komotini, northern Greece. It has a light hoppy flavour and a hint of malt. The beer was first introduced in 1998 and is very popular in northern Greece.
Eza
Eza is one of the oldest Greek beers, produced by the Hellenic Brewery of Atalanti since the late 1980s. It is a blonde lager with rich aromas and taste. The brewery is located next to the famous Parnassos mountain, and its artisanal water is used in the production of Eza beer.
Santorini Brewing Company
The Santorini Brewing Company is one of the best breweries in the country, located on the popular tourist island of Santorini. They produce a range of beers, including Red Donkey (dark lager), Yellow Donkey (Greek lager), and Crazy Donkey, which is the first IPA ever produced in Greece.
Zeos
Zeos Brewery is loved by Greeks for its pure ingredients and high purity standards. Their beers include Zeos Gold Pilsner, Zeos Black Weiss, and Zeos Blue Lager. The brewery was founded in 1988 in the historic town of Argos in the Peloponnese peninsula.
56 Isles
56 Isles is a light pilsener created by the Microbrewery of Paros using locally grown barley. The unique microclimate of the island gives the barley a distinct flavour profile. The beer is internationally recognised and loved by beer enthusiasts.
Nissos
Nissos is an artisanal microbrewery located on the island of Tinos, founded in 2012 in the midst of the Greek financial crisis. They produce organic beers with rich tastes, aromas, and natural carbonation, including a Pilsener, a Lager, a Keller, a Baltic Porter, and a Monastic Double Ale.
Septem
Septem is a microbrewery located on the island of Evia, founded in 2009. They produce a large variety of artisanal beers distributed throughout Greece and abroad, and have received numerous awards for their brews.
Noctua
Noctua is an independent craft brewery based in the centre of Athens. They have an innovative approach to brewing, focusing on creating new beer flavours and types. Their offerings include an IPA, a Pale Ale, a Black Pale Ale, and a New England Pale Ale, as well as limited-edition series.
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Greek microbreweries
While Greece is famous for its wine and ouzo, the country has also developed a thriving microbrewery scene. In 2020, there were around 65 microbreweries in Greece, compared to just 6 in 2009. This growth is largely due to the increasing demand for specialised products and Greek brands supporting the local economy.
Noctua Brewery, Athens
In downtown Athens, the Noctua brewery in the Gazi district makes 13 beers, including the popular 'Night Vision' black IPA.
Strange Brew, Athens
South of the Acropolis, the Strange Brew beer bar offers 18 beers on tap, including the highly-rated 'Dr Haze' imperial IPA and 'The Wizard' imperial stout.
Local Pub, Athens
In the Halandri district, just north of downtown Athens, the Local Pub combines a cosy courtyard bar with a brewery, offering almost 50 different beers over the years.
Athineo Museum of Brewing, Athens
The Athineo museum, created by the Athenian Brewery (the largest in Greece), showcases over 150 years of local brewing tradition. Their bar serves more than 10 experimental house brews.
Kasta, Heraklion, Crete
In the heart of Heraklion, Kasta offers seven craft beers on tap, along with lots of information on brew styles and technology.
Notos, Heraklion, Crete
On the western side of Heraklion, Notos usually offers all seven of their beers in bottles.
Solo, Heraklion, Crete
Just outside Heraklion in the village of Kallithea, Solo has five beers on tap and many more in bottles or cans. Every style is represented, from lager and pilsner to blonde and red ales, black porters, stouts, and IPAs.
Barbantonis, Hersonissos, Crete
About a 20-minute drive from the airport, Barbantonis offers four beers: blanche, dunkel, IPA, and stout.
Helmisons, Heraklion, Crete
Set in a rural estate around a 1.5-hour drive from Heraklion, this nano-brewery offers gorgeous sea views and four beers to sample: wit, IPA, dark ale, and APA.
Cretan (Harma), Zounaki, Crete
Just outside the tiny village of Zounaki, Cretan offers the 360º Greek craft beer experience, with 25 brews, merchandise, and homemade dishes.
Lyra, Kissamos, Crete
In the heart of the small town of Kissamos, Lyra offers a highly-acclaimed golden ale.
Rethymnian Brewery, Rethymnon, Crete
In a rural setting south of Agios Georgios village, the Rethymnian brewery offers a lager, a blonde, and a dark ale.
Kykao, Patras
One of Europe's most creative microbreweries, Kykao was founded by five friends who have marketed over 60 different beers in just three years, including some world firsts like 'reverse-engineered wines'.
Patraiki, Patras
Patraiki produces five beers: a pilsner, weiss, IPA, stout, and dark ale.
Toul's, Patras
Toul's family brewery makes a pale ale, blonde ale, and stout, with more on the way.
Elis, Birtzikis Estate, Ancient Olympia
The Elis brewery, located on a winery with an open-air amphitheatre, offers a variety of wines and over 10 different brews, including a lager, pilsner, pale ale, porter, witbier, red ale, stout, and more.
Mani, Mani region, Kalamata
Mani offers a lager, golden ale, IPA, and porter, along with great local cuisine.
Sparta, Sparta
True to its name, the Sparta brewery offers a lager and pale ale.
Karma, Nemea
Karma offers a lager and pale and red ales.
Zeos, Nafplion
'Zeo' was the Ancient Greek verb for 'to boil'.
Corinthian, Corinth Canal
Try the Corinthian brewery's 'Canal Dive' pilsner and ale before leaving the Peloponnese over the Corinth Canal.
Nissos, Tinos
The first Aegean microbrewery, Nissos offers a You may want to see also Drinking beer in Greece differs greatly from drinking beer in the US or Germany. Greeks rarely get drunk on beer, instead, they treat it as a refreshment. For this reason, Greeks will rarely opt for a warm beer, instead, they ask for the coldest beer available. Beer drinking in Greece is mostly a social activity. Greeks rarely drink beer at home unless they are having a barbecue or watching a football match with friends. Most beer is consumed in restaurants and bars. Beer is also a popular drink at outdoor cinemas and festivals. When drinking beer, Greeks will often keep their finished bottles or cans on the table. This is thought to be motivated by the mid-20th-century folk song "99 Bottles of Beer". In recent years, the Greek beer industry has been booming, with new microbreweries popping up across the country and its islands. Many of these microbreweries have become an integral part of the local economy and an attraction for tourists. Some popular Greek beers include: You may want to see also Yes, Greeks drink beer. In fact, beer consumption in Greece has increased by a factor of five since the 1960s. In 2021, the average beer consumption in Greece was 32 litres per person per year. The most common types of beer found in Greece include lager (both blond and dark), pilsner and IPA. Arguably the most popular Greek beer is Mythos, a blond lager. Other popular Greek beers include Fix, Alfa, Mamos, Vergina, and Eza. Drinking beer is a summer pre-drinking activity for Greeks. It is commonly consumed at open-air panegyria (festivals) and with meat and souvlaki dishes. Beer is also enjoyed at outdoor "therino" cinemas, where Greeks like to drink beer and eat popcorn while watching a movie.Alcohol-Free Beer and Metronidazole: Is It Safe?
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