5 Local beers TO NOT miss in thessaloniki
Greece is definitely an underrated craft beer destination. Inebriated by the idylic landscapes, the welcoming people and the delicious food, tourists often don´t put much effort into discovering the local beer scene. As in many European countries, beer industry is mostly dominated by mass market Lagers from Heinekein and Carlsberg groups. And don’t get me wrong, I also drink some Alpha, Mythos, Kaiser, and Nimfi here and there. They are quite decent for their style.
But after more than one year living here, I’d say it’s a real shame to leave without tasting at least one locally crafted beer. It’s not that difficult, and even on the islands you can find some amazing beers. Plus, by doing so, you’re supporting small local businesses that are figthing to survive in a country without a strong beer tradition.
In Thessaloniki, Greece´s second-largest city, the story is similar. You might get lucky and find one or another local lable in random bars and restaurantes, or you can trust on us and book a ThessVentures Beer Experience (click the link to know more). However, since our mission is to democratize craft beer consumption, I’ll share with you the 5 beers you shouldn’t miss when you are in town. At the end, I’ll also list some of the best spots where you can find most or all of them. Grab your glasses and let’s go!
Salonikia Pale Ale - Sknipa: We get things started with a very refreshing option. Sknipa is one of Thessaloniki’s microbreweries and their bottles aren’t so hard to find. Salonikia Pale Ale even have a label that works perfectly as a souvenir bottle, displaying some of the landmark monuments of Thessaloniki. When I visited their facilities, I had the opportunity to taste this one directly from the maturation tank. It was a burst of hop aroma well supported by a rich malt sweetness. The bitterness bring some notes of orange peel and citrus fruit adding another delicious layer of flavor. It is a style that asks for freshness, and you will mostly find it at Rehab Pub taps, Not by chance, our ThessVentures Beer Experience always pay them a visit to taste this beer.
Eden - Utopia: A good India Pale Lager (IPL) is not something you find anywhere. But in Thessaloniki, you will! More precisely, at the Mavili Square where Utopia taproom is located. As a brand, they are a contract brewing, but locally they are already recognized as another big hit of the Thessaloniki’s Craft Beer scene. Their IPL has a beautiful amber colour topped with a frothy head. It has the hop kick in the aroma and the palate, but in a much soft and light base of a Lager beer. The pronounced bitterness brings the thirst-quenching sensation you look for in the Greek summer. Their taproom is the last stop of our Beer Experience, and yes, you can taste this one too if you join us.
Red Ale - Ali (Άλη): If you like a more malty option, here it is! Ali was the first microbrewery in Thessaloniki, founded with the mission of spreading the beer culture in Greece. Their Red Ale is a great example of simple beer full of flavor. Everything you could expect from the style is here, the toasty flavors, the dry finish and a beautiful red color. A beer that goes well in a fun day of drinking with friends or in a sole drink wandering by the sea. Personally, it is my favorite from them and you’ll spot it in most of the craft beer places I’ll list below.
Chalkidiki Pilsner - Valtinger: One step out of Thessaloniki, from the beautiful Χαλκιδική (they made easier for you calling it Chalkidiki), you have another amazing local craft. Valtinger is originally from Kassandra and, if you’ll be exploring Chalkidiki, you should pay them a visit. But, you’ll also be able to find this beer at many bars and bottleshops in Thessaloniki. Chalkidiki Pislner is more on the German spectrum of the Pilsner world, full of floral and herbal hop aromatics and flavors in perfect harmony with delicate malty sweetness. The dry and crisp finish take the drinkability to the next level, and you’ll be always begging for the next sip.
Mad Hop - Dreamer : From Βέροια (Veria) you have Dreamer Brwing. Their must try beer is called Mad Hop, a Hazy/New England IPA with generous amounts of Mosaic and Citra hops. This combination is known as a win around the world, but you need great brewing skills to reach such a nice flavor bomb. If you’re a hop head, that’s your beer, and you’ll easily find it in most of the bottleshops and specialized craft beer places in town.
BONUS: Night Port - 3 Brothers Brew: Ok, I’ll make your beer journey a little harder, or maybe more magical! You mostly won’t find this one in Thessaloniki city center. To taste it, you will need to head to Epanomi, about 40 minutes by car from the center, or just 10 minutes from the beautiful Potamos Beach!
You will find an amazing beer garden pouring only their own beers with sea view and Olympus mountain as a frame. I could recommend any beer from their tap, but I think we were missing some dark mistery. If you think dark beers are heavy and only for the winter, you are completely wrong! Night Port is a dunkel beer with just the right amount of roasted cereals character and still light and refreshing for any summer evening. Now imagine having a sip, facing the sunset colors by the sea, while the breeze slowly bounces your hair, pure magic! You don’t need to thank me, just make sure you go! Heads up that they are only open in particular days of the week and mostly during the summer season.
So, enough of excuses to visit Thessaloniki without sampling some locally crafted beers! They’re just outside, waiting for you to be discovered. Finally, here goes a list of the places in the city where you’d find most of these beers and many others. I’ll leave instagram links and google Maps location for each:
Hoppy Pub; Nikiforou Foka 6, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Rehab Pub: Valaoritou 19, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Utopia taproom: Gladstonos 11, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Oinopneumata Cava: Kiriakou Manolaki 2, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Pulp: Al. Svolou 8, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Beer24: Olympou 17, Thessaloniki (Maps)
U Flecku: Vaiou 4, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Beer O’Clock Pub & Kitchen: Egiptou 6, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Broken Clock: Siggrou 7, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Black dog - The Bottle Shop: Mark. Mpotsari 88, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Crocodilos: Βοσπόρου 1, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Avgoustos Bar: Mavrokordatou 2, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Archegono: 25is Martiou 12, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Beeratis - The beer bar: Katsimidi 10, Thessaloniki (Maps)
Beer Fabrica: Eptapirgiou 69, Sikies (Maps)
3 Brothers Brews: Παραλία Επανομής (Maps)
Valtinger Brewing Chalkidiki: ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΟΣ ΔΡΟΜΟΣ, Kassandria (Maps)
Now, it’s up to you! Just remember that you can always imerse yourself in the Greek Craft Beer with the ThessVentures Beer Experience (BOOK HERE!). We can help you to navigate the universe of the local Craft Beer scene. But, with this beer list, and the list of places to find them I am more than happy if you try and discover by yourself. You can always tag us on your social media posts. We’d be more than happy to share your BrewVentures in Thessaloniki. Again, because that is our mission, democratize the consumption of locally crafted beer! Are you in!? Cheers! 🍻
