The Best Greek Beer: Where To Buy It

Greek beer is a popular choice for those looking for a refreshing, crisp drink. One of the most famous Hellenic beers is Mythos, a premium lager-style beer produced from select varieties of barley and hops. With its rich head, bright blonde colour, and pleasant taste, Mythos is a top Greek beer brand. It is best paired with barbecue, Italian foods, and earthy cheeses. Another popular Greek beer is FIX Hellas, the first and most historic Greek beer. It is a premium lager with a soft flavour and a balanced bitterness. Mythos and FIX Hellas can be purchased online from specialist beer retailers, and in-store at select locations.

Buying Greek beer in the US

Greek beer is a popular drink in Greece, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. It is often consumed during the day to combat high temperatures and in the evenings while socialising. While Greek wine may be more famous, Greece also has some of the most refreshing local beers and breweries in Europe. In fact, there is archaeological evidence that beer has been produced in Greece since 2000 BC!

In recent years, the beer brewing industry in Greece has been booming, with new microbreweries popping up all over the country. These local breweries have become an integral part of the local economy and have even become attractions for some areas and islands.

Greek Beer Brands

Some of the most famous Greek beer brands include:

• Mythos: A Euro Pale Lager with a rich head, bright blonde colour, and refreshing taste. It is one of the top three beer brands in Greece and can be found in several online stores and physical locations.
• Alpha: One of Greece's oldest beer brands, with a golden hue, a moderate malt yeast fragrance, and a sparkling gold colour.
• Fix: The first proper Greek brewery, founded in Athens in 1864. Fix is a premium lager beer with soft flavours and a light bitterness.

Other popular Greek beer brands include Vergina, Amstel, Heineken, Mamos, and Nissos.

Where to Buy Greek Beer in the US

If you're looking to buy Greek beer in the US, there are several options available to you:

• Online Retailers: GreekFlavours offers a wide selection of Greek craft beers, including well-known brands and lesser-known craft beers produced all over the country. They deliver Greek beer right to your doorstep in the US.
• US-based Alcohol Delivery Services: Services like Minibar, Drizly, and Saucey can deliver beer straight to your door in select US states and cities.
• Greek Shops and Supermarkets: If you're in Greece, you can find Greek beer in kiosks, mini-markets, and supermarkets. Kiosks are small, freestanding shops that sell cold drinks, snacks, and other supplies. Mini-markets carry a wider range of products, including fresh produce and household supplies.
• Greek Restaurants and Bars: When in Greece, you can enjoy a Greek beer at bars and pubs in Athens, such as Cinque Wine & Deli Bar, Couleur Locale Athens, and Drunky Goat Greek Wines & Tapas.

Examples of Greek Craft Beers

• The Donkey Brewery (Santorini): The Donkey is Santorini's most popular beer, created in 2011. It uses the island's salty water, particular types of malt, and rare kinds of hops.
• The Nissos Brewery (Tinos): Nissos is one of the most famous local beers in Greece, winning the Silver European Beer Star in 2012. All Nissos beers have a unique aroma and rich taste due to slow brewing and natural carbonation.
• The Solo Brewery (Crete): The Solo beer stands out for its wonderful aroma and unique flavour. In 2017, it won the gold medal at the Barcelona Beer Festival.
• The Microbrewery of Paros (Paros): This microbrewery produces two beers: 56isles Light Pilsner and Aegean Wit, which resembles the Belgian Wit in taste.
• The Corfu Brewery (Corfu): Corfu Beers are fresh, unpasteurized, and unfiltered, made with a unique selection of malt, barley, wheat, and hops.

So, whether you're in Greece or the US, there are plenty of options for buying and enjoying a refreshing Greek beer!

Greek beer brands

Greek beer can trace its roots back to the Bronze Age, although wine has historically been the more popular alcoholic drink in the country. In fact, in the past, Greece was so associated with wine that beer was considered a drink for "barbarians" in the north of Europe.

However, in the 1800s, the first King of Greece, Otto of Greece (or Frederic Othon), came to the country from Bavaria, bringing with him a love of beer. A number of Bavarians followed the king, and Greek beer brands began to emerge. The first official brewery in the country, Fix, was founded in Athens in 1864 by Charles Johann Fuchs, whose father had been producing beer in Greece for around 30 years prior.

Today, there are several major Greek beer brands. Fix is one of the most historic, but others include Santorini Brewing Company, Zeos, and Mythos, which is arguably the most popular Greek beer. Mythos is a blond lager with a refreshing mild sweet taste and is possibly the most well-known Greek beer across the world.

Other Greek beer brands include Alfa, Mamos, Vergina, Eza, 56 Isles, Ammousa, Chios, Corfu, Donkey, Delphi, Flaros, Fonias, Ikariotissa, Nissos, Volkan, Lafkas, Kirki, Samos, Septem, Noctua, Notos, and Zythos VAP. Many of these are produced by microbreweries, which have been popping up across the country over the last 10-15 years.

Greek beer types

Greek beer is not as famous as Greek wine, but the country has some of the most refreshing local beers and breweries in Europe. In fact, there is evidence of beer production in Greece since 2000 BCE.

The most popular beer in Greece is Mythos, a light straw-coloured lager with a crisp, refreshing taste. It is widely available both domestically and internationally. Other popular commercial beers include Fix, a premium lager with a soft flavour and a light bitterness, and Alfa, a golden beer with a mild malt aroma and a creamy foam.

In recent years, the Greek craft beer movement has blossomed, with a growing number of microbreweries popping up across the country. These breweries produce a diverse array of beer flavours that pay homage to local ingredients and regional nuances. Some notable microbreweries include:

• Septem Microbrewery: Located on the island of Evia, Septem offers a range of styles including pale ales, IPAs, and experimental brews. They are known for using Greek ingredients and incorporating unique flavours.
• Nissos Microbrewery: Found on the island of Tinos, Nissos produces a range of beers including a blonde ale, a lager, and an organic pilsner. Their beers capture the essence of the Aegean terroir in every sip.
• Solo Craft Brewery: Based in Crete, Solo offers a variety of distinctive beers such as Psaki, Horiatiki, and Americana. They have won medals at prestigious events like the International Beer Cup and the Barcelona Beer Challenge.
• Santorini Brewing Co.: Situated on the iconic island of Santorini, this brewery crafts beers that mirror the unique terroir of the region. Their flagship offerings include Red Donkey, Yellow Donkey, and Crazy Donkey.

In addition to these microbreweries, there are also many other local beers and breweries in Greece, each with its own unique character and flavour profiles.

Greek beer prices

When it comes to specific brands, prices may differ. For example, a 6-pack of 11oz bottles of Mythos Hellenic Lager can be found at various prices depending on the retailer and location. Similarly, the price of a drink or beer in Greek islands like Mykonos can be around €7-€8 for a standard drink, with cocktails costing upwards of €10.

According to a survey conducted by Avgeris et al., price is the most significant factor influencing consumer choice when it comes to Greek beer. The survey found that 50.6% of respondents would choose a "cheaper" beer over their local brand. However, brand name and origin also play a role in consumer decisions.

Greek beer availability

Greek beer is available at several online and in-store retailers.

Online Retailers

Online retailers such as Total Wine & More, Taste of Old Country, and Half Time Beverage offer Greek beer for purchase. These websites provide detailed descriptions of the beer's characteristics, including taste, colour, and ABV, and some sites offer reviews from customers.

In-Store Retailers

For those who prefer to buy in-store, options are available. For instance, Luekens Wine & Spirits offers Mythos Greek Beer for pickup or delivery. Similarly, Total Wine & More specifies that while their Myrtle Beach, SC store does not carry Mythos Hellenic Lager, it is available at their Chesapeake, VA location.

Shipping and Availability

It is important to note that the availability and shipping options may vary depending on the retailer and the customer's location. Some websites offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount, while others provide local pickup and delivery services. Additionally, certain websites specify the states to which they cannot ship. so it is advisable to review the shipping information provided by each retailer.

Frequently asked questions