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Beer in Greece

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Beer in Greece

Archaeological excavations have exposed artifacts and materials used for the production of beer in Greece dating back to the Bronze Age (3,300 to 1,200 BC).[1]

The first modern Greek brewery was founded in 1864. Greek beer has become a part of the local culture and expanded beyond its borders as demand has increased.[2] Although wine still has the highest consumption rates within Greece,[3][4] beer has increased its market share and become an important industry for the Greek economy, providing more than 60,000 jobs in 2005.[5]

Three tins of Greek beers

History

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Alcohol consumption has always been a part of the culture in Greece, although it has adapted and changed in certain aspects over the generations. Initially Greece had a strong wine drinking culture.[4][1] This culture adapted and developed as beer and spirits begun to grow in popularity.[4]

B.C.

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The Ancient Egyptians were the first to show evidence of beer consumption as they documented the brewing process on papyrus scrolls, dating back to 5,000 B.C.[6] This process made its way from the Middle East, into European countries.[6][7] Greece was one of these countries as remains associated with beer have been discovered which date back to 2135-2020 BC.[1] Beer in Europe became more popular in the northern parts of Europe rather than Greece, as the northern crops provided key ingredients for brewers.[7] Due to the popularity growth of Beer in the north, Greece would prefer to be associated with wine, as they often referred to northerners as ‘barbarians’.[7][4]

Remains of Prehistoric Sites

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Archaeologists discovered the remains of two prehistoric buildings, providing materials to which can be used for the development and consumption of beer. A site was discovered at Archondiko (in northern Greece) and another at Agrissa (south of Archondiko on the eastern side of Greece).[1] Remains suggest that these sites burnt down in a fire, allowing artifacts found inside to be preserved for a rather long period of time.[8] Within the Archondiko site several cereals were discovered that date back to the “Early Bronze Age, phase IV, dated to 2135–2020 BC”, and are key determinants in the brewing of beer. Soultana Maria Valamoti published the findings in a 2018 article, including: “Triticum monococcum (einkorn), T. dicoccum (emmer), T. spelta (spelt wheat), T. aestivum/durum (free-threshing wheat) and Hordeum sp. (barley) which were found in dense, sometimes pure, concentrations indicating deliberate storage.”[1]

Additionally to these cereals a two-chambered structure was discovered at this site. This structure is said to support temperatures of around 100 degrees Celsius, which is essential in the beer making process.[1][8] Accompanying this structure there was a discovery of 30 special cups which archaeologists believe may have been used for the consumption of the beer.[8]

Similarly to the Archondiko site the site within Agrissa was well preserved and provides instruments for beer production In Greece.[8] The evacuation of this site was conducted in 1955, 1956 and 1958 by a German archaeologist team. Similar cereal grains were discovered as Valamoti mentions within her article, "the archaeobotanical remains from Argissa discussed here consist of at least 3,588 sprouted cereal grains that were identified to einkorn (2,319); a further 157 sprouted grains were identified as T. dicoccum (emmer) and 81 as Hordeum (barley)”.[1]

These cereal grains are said to date back 1700–1500 BC, whilst other remains of the house are said to date back 2100–1700 BC.[1] This is of similar time period to that of the site in Archondiko. Within the Argissa site 45 specially sculpted cups were discovered, which is another similarity between the two sites.[8]

Fix beer logo, derived from the Fix (Fuchs) family

Modern history

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The wine culture was prominent all the way until the 1800s. In 1832 the first king of Greece, Otto of Greece, settled in Greece.[9][10] Otto came with scientists and specialists from his native land Bavaria, with the intentions of developing the beer industry.[11][9] Initially small breweries were set up in the 1840s to serve Bavarian officials and military men who were stationed there at the time.[9]

Among the Bavarian settlers, was Johann Ludwig Fuchs who established a small enterprise selling home-brewed beer from his house in Kolonaki.[10] It was in 1864 when Charles Johann Fuchs, son of Johann Ludwig Fuchs, established Fix brewery in Athens, the first official brewery of Greece.[9][10] Finding Beer in Greece among this time was a rarity, and was only available within the major cities. Travelers in the 1900s from Germany allowed beer consumption to continue to grow.[12] Similar German breweries were founded in Greece, such as, Messrs. Melcher, Bachauer, Fischer, Klein, and others.[11]

The 1900s numerous breweries were formed[11] and beer consumption begun to grow.[4] Within the late 19th century micro-breweries began to flourish all around Greece,[2] which can be reflected by the consumption rates.[4] The following table depicts the transition in the alcohol preference of the Greek nation from 1961 to 2016.[4] Wine remains the predominant drink in Greece, though to a lesser degree than before.

Alcohol consumption transition
Beer Wine Spirits
1961 6.86% 86.14% 7.00%
2005 24.20% 49.61% 26.18%
2016[13] 31.5% 45.5% 21.8%

Beer consumption has continually grown, increasing by a factor of five since the 1960s. Most brands are found all over Greece and are sold in supermarkets, mini markets and kiosks.[14][15][16][17]

Consumption

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Beer in Greece is consumed nationally, as breweries are spread across the nation.[18] Beer consumption in 2014 came to 3.845 million hectolitres, or 36 litres per capita. 440,000 of these hectolitres was imported to Greece. About 406,000 was imported from within the EU and the remaining 34,000 was imported externally. Looking on the production side of things, beer production in 2014 came to 3.75 million hectolitres. About 229,000 of these hectolitres were exported. Some 67,000 were exported within the EU and the remaining 162,000 were exported outside of the EU.[5]

Greek Vergina Beer Bottle & Glass by Macedonian Thrace Brewery
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A survey conducted by 510 residents from all over Greece by Avgeris et al. Concluded that the three most influential factors when purchasing beer in Greece are: price, origin and brand name. Price is considered to be the most significant factor influencing consumer choice surrounding Greek beer. The survey concluded that 50.6% of the public would rather buy ‘cheaper’ beer as opposed to their local. However, if money was ruled out of the equation, the public would prefer to drink their local beer.[19][20]

As stated, brand name has an influence over consumer choice surrounding beer in Greece. Avgeris et al. article establishes the five most frequently mentioned brands of beer in Greece to be, Amstel (18.9%), Fix (15.3%), Heineken (14.5%), Alfa (13.8%) and Vergina (9.4%). Four out of the five brands mentioned belong to two of the largest breweries in Greece with Amstel, Heineken and Alfa being produced by Athenian Brewery (Heineken group) and Fix by Olympic brewery (Carlsberg Group). The remaining brand Vergina belongs to Macedonian Thrace Brewery.[19]

The factor to which the public concluded was the least influential aspect was advertisement. 70% of consumers mentioned that advertisement does not play a role when considering which beer to purchase.[19]

Economy

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The growth of the brewery industry in Greece has provided work for the citizens as in 2014, 60,965 jobs were related to beer. Indirect employment of the same year was 4,507 jobs. Total consumer spending in 2014 was 1,689 million Euro. This is correlated to beer acting as a stimulus as within the same year beer added 494 million Euro to the Greek economy. The citizens are not the only impacted by the industry as the Government revenue in 2014 was 640 million euro. The way to which the Government generate revenue from beer is broken into five categories, which include:

  • Excise duties - 107 million
  • VAT (on-trade sector) - 253 million
  • VAT (off-trade sector) - 62 million
  • Income tax, payroll tax and social security contribution (brewing sector) - 35 million
  • Income tax, payroll tax and social security contributions (other sectors) - 181 million[5]

Beer production

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Breweries

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The four major brewing companies based in Greece are the Athenian Brewery Αθηναϊκή Ζυθοποιία (in Greek), a subsidiary of Heineken, holding more than 53% of the market share, the Olympic Brewery, a subsidiary of the Carlsberg Group, holding almost 27% of the market share,[21] the Hellenic Breweries of Atalanti holding around 8% of the market share[22] and Macedonian Thrace Brewery holding around 6%.[23][24][25]

Commercially brewed beers
Brewery Location Beers brewed Established
Athenian Brewery[26] Athens Amstel, Heineken, Alfa, Mamos, Amstel Premium Dark Bock, Alfa Weiss, Milokleftis, Alfa Strong, Vios 5, Amstel Premium Pilsener, Marathon, Zorbas, Amstel Free, Fürstenbräu, Alfa Non Alcoholic Lager, Nymph, Amstel Kargo IPA, Amstel Radler Guarana-Lime 1963
Olympic Brewery[27][28] Athens Fix Hellas, Fix Hellas Dark Premium, Fix Royale, Fix Anef 2005
Olympic Brewery[29] Sindos Mythos, Henninger Kaiser Double Malt, Henninger Kaiser Blonde, Mythos Red, Mythos Radler, Golden Lager, Spartan, Aegean, Aris, Henninger Lager, Elomas, Zythia, Ey Zython, Mythos Ice, Mythology Lager, El Beer, Beeroni 1968
Hellenic Brewery of Atalanti[30] Kyparissi EZA Premium Pilsener, EZA Fine Lager, EZA Alcohol Free, Odyssey Red Rhapsody, Odyssey White Rhapsody, SPAR Lager, Blue Island Fizzy Lemon, Blue Island Pink Grapefruit, New Yorker Fine Lager, Proton Beer, Wind, Berlin Lager, Ermis Gold, Ermis Argus, Pils Hellas, Captain Lager, Hellenic Star, Blue Island, Odyssey Dark Rhapsody - Calypso's Desire, Ducal de Atenas, Saronic, Blue Island Pear Delight, Beeri-Beeri, Imperial 1988
Macedonian Thrace Brewery[31] Komotini Vergina Premium Lager, Vergina Weiss, Vergina Black, Vergina Red, Vergina Porfyra, Hillas, 365 Beer, Edelsteiner Premium Pils 1996

Microbreweries

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The first greek microbrewery was Craft beer in 1997. In 2020 there were approximately 65 active microbreweries in Greece, with approximately 6% of the country's market share. That is in comparison to 6 microbreweries that were active in 2009. This growth can be explained mainly by the increasing demand for specialized products and Greek brands in support of the local economy during the crisis. The major brewers of Greece acted upon this trend and launched brands under Greek names in order to limit the competition. Various microbrewery brand-name takeovers and buy-outs have been ongoing over the past years.[32][33] According to Greek law, breweries are labeled as "microbreweries" when production is less than 200,000 hectolitres.[34][24][35][36]

Beer Name Producer/Owner Region Beer Types
56 Isles Paros Microbrewery Paros Craft
Alea Alea Brewing Company Athens Wit, Pale Ale, Stout, 3-way collab NEIPA
Ali Thessaloniki Microbrewery Ltd Thessaloniki Craft
Amoussa Arrib Danos Patras IPA, Stout
Argo, Molotov Volos Brewery Volos Golden Ale, IPA
Athineo Athenian Brewery Athens Seasonal
Brewtiful Brewtiful Brewery Chios Double Dry Hopped New England IPA
Brinks Rethymnian Brewery SA Crete, Rethymno Pale Ale
Canal Dive Korintiaki Zithopiia SA Corinth Pilsner, Ale. Unfiltered, Unpasteurized
Chios Beer Chios Beer Microbrewery Vaviloi, Chios Pale Ale, Porter Smoked, BBQ smoked, Weiss with mastic, IPA. Unfiltered, Unpasteurized
Corfu Beer Kerkiraiki Zithopiia Corfu Pilsner, Lager, Weiss, IPA, Red Ale, Dark, Double fermentation
Delphi / Marea Elixi Brewery Athens Pilsner, Dark, IPA, Blonde and more
Dias Korfi SA Kato Ag. Ioannis Lager
Donkey Santorini Brewing Company Santorini Lager, Weiss, IPA, Red Ale
Empati Kythnos Beer Kythnos Wheat
Epilogi Zotos Ltd Gianitsa Lager
Flaros Flaros / Siris Microbrewery EE Athens IPA, Amber Ale, Seasonal, Wheat, Porter
Fonias Samothraki Microbrewery Samothraki Pale Ale
Harma Cretan Brewery Crete, Chania Pilsner, Lager, Weiss, Pale Ale, Stout, Cretan Ale, Dunkel, Mexican
Helmisons Helmisons Brewery Crete, Ierapetra Pale Ale, IPA, Witbeer, Dark Ale
Hoppy Seal Monachus Brewing Alonisos Pilsner
Ikarotissa Ikariaki Zythopiia IKE Ikaria Ale, Red Ale
Johnnies' Beer Macedonian Microbrewery Drama Lager
Karma Kordosis-Thamnidis OE Nemea Lager, Pale Ale, Red Ale, Golden Ale
Kasta Kasta Microbrews Crete, Heraklion Pale Ale, IPA, Amber Ale, Oatmeal
Katsika Folegandros Microbrewey Folegandros Pilsner, Biere De Garde, Red Ale
Kirki Kirki Brewery Piraeus Amber Lager, Pale Ale, IPA
Kefalonian Beer Kefalonia & Ithaki Microbrewery Kefalonia Lager, Red Ale
Kykao Kykao Nanobrewery Patras IPA, Stout, Seasonal, Rye, Pale Ales
Lafkas Lafkas Brewery Crete, Chania Pale Ale, Stout
Levante Mikro-Brewery of Zakynthos Zakynthos Pale Ale, Stout
Local Microbrewery of Thessaly Volos Golden Ale, IPA
Lola Pinios Brewery Larisa Pilsner, Belgian Ale, IPA
Lyra Lyra Brauerei Crete, Chania Golden Ale
Magnus Magister / Knights Magnus Magister Papadimitriou SA Rhodes Pilsner, Lager, Weiss
Mani Brewery Mani Brewery Mani IPA, Blond, Ale, Porter
Marmita Mikrozithopiia Kavalas OE Kavala Red Ale
Mikonu Mykonos Brewing Company Myconos IPA, Pale Ale, Seasonal and more
Naxos Beer Naxos Brewery Naxos Pilsner, IPA, Stout
Nissos Cyclades Mircrobrewery Tinos Bohemian-Style Pilsner, European Lager, Dunkel
Noble Men Noble Men Brewery Halkida / Athens Pilsner, IPA, Pale Ale, Abbey Triple
Noctua Noctua Brewery Athens Athens Pale Ale, IPA, Black IPA, Amber Ale, Seasonal
Notos Notos Brewery Crete, Heraklion Lager, Weiss, Pale Ale
Nymfi Beer Athenian Brewery Thessaloniki Hoppy lager, 5% Alc
Olympica Magna Elis Brewery Elia Lager
Olympos Beer Hondrogianni Paraskevi Katerini Pale Lager
One Eyed Jack Midnight Circus Gypsy Brewery Athens Pilsner, Red Ale, IPA, Stout
Ora Patraiki Zithopiia IKE Patras Pilsner, IPA, Stout, Weiss
Plastiga Zythopiia Georgios Papadiotis Volos Stout, Strong Ale, Urban Ale, Weiss
Samos Beer Samos Beer Samos Ale
Septem Septem Microbrewery Evia Stout, Red Ale, Pilsner, Pale Ale, Porter and more
Sigri Sigri Brewery Lesvos Red Ale, Blond Ale
Sknipa Standard Microbrewery of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Pilsner, Stout, IPA, Seasonal, Strong
Solo Solo Brewery Crete, Heraklion Pale Ale, Seasonal, IPA, Porter, Stout and more
Sparta Lakoniki Brewery Sparta Lager
Spira Spira Skopelos Brewers Skopelos Golden Ale, IPA, Dry Stout, Weiss
Stala Epirus Brewery Ltd Ioannina Cream Ale, Pale Ale, Red Ale, IPA, Seasonal
Stilvi Zithopiia Thessalias IKE Karditsa Lager, Stout, Weiss
Theros Solar Microbrewery Xanthi Xanthi Summer Ale, Irish Red Ale, Dunkel
Tiki Luau Seven Island Breweries Corfu Fruit Ale, Stoout
Theta (Θ) Thessaliki Brewery Athens Pilsner, Lager, Premium, Weiss, Seasonal
Touls Brews Touls Brews Patras Pale Ale
VAMbeer Korfi SA Kato Agios Ioannis, Pieria Pislner, Lager. Unfiltered, unpasteurised
VAP VAP P Kougios SA Rhodes Lager
Volkan Brewery Volkan Brewery Athens Pilsner, Dunkel, Wheat
Voreia Beer Siris Microbrewery EE Serres Pilsner, IPA, Stout, Low Alcohol and more
Wings The Icarian Spirit Microbrewery Ikaria Lager, Pale Ale
Zeos Ζeos Ζithopiia SA Argos Pilsner, Lager, Weiss
Voreia Beer Siris Microbrewery EE Serres Pilsner, IPA, Stout, Low Alcohol and more
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Valamoti, Soultana Maria (2018-07-01). "Brewing beer in wine country? First archaeobotanical indications for beer making in Early and Middle Bronze Age Greece". Vegetation History and Archaeobotany. 27 (4): 611–625. doi:10.1007/s00334-017-0661-8. ISSN 1617-6278. S2CID 135345407.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Greek beer rise to the top". discovergreece.com. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  3. ^ Knibbe, Ronald A.; Drop, Maria J.; Hupkens, Christianne L. H. (2009-07-03). "Modernization and Geographical Diffusion as Explanations for Regional Differences in the Consumption of Wine and Beer in the European Community". Substance Use & Misuse. 31 (11–12): 1639–1655. doi:10.3109/10826089609063995. PMID 8908710.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Colen, Liesbeth; Swinnen, Johan F. M. (2010). "Beer Drinking Nations - The Determinants of Global Beer Consumption". LICOS Discussion (270). Rochester, New York. doi:10.2139/ssrn.1752829. hdl:10419/75022. SSRN 1752829.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "The Contribution made by Beer to the European Economy" (PDF). The Brewers of Europe.
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  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Was There Beer in Ancient Greece?". greekboston.com. 2014-12-19. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Geggel, Laura (31 January 2018). "Ancient Ale: Oldest Beer in Greece Dates to Bronze Age". livescience.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Greek Beer ~ A Tradition Since Ancient Times". xpatathens.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c "FIX 1864 Original Beer of Greece". 2008-05-16. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c Xarontakis, D (2009-03-29). "The surname that is synonymous with beer". tovima.gr (in Greek). To Vima. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  12. ^ "Hilfe für Biertrinker". theo48.wordpress.com (in German). 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
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  14. ^ "Drinking in Greece". greeklandscapes.com. 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
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  18. ^ Manifava, Dimitra. "Greece going beer crazy as microbreweries proliferate". ekathimerini.com. Kathimerini. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b c Avgeris, Antonios; Tiganis, Antonios; Xafopoulou, Elissavet; Dalamitra, Maria; Karasavidou, Maria; Sergaki, Panagiota; Chrysochou, Polymeros (2017-08-30). Greek Consumers' Preferences On Beer Consumption: An Empirical Investigation.
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  21. ^ "Strong resistance shown by the beer sector in Greece". insider.gr (in Greek). 28 March 2018. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  22. ^ Capital.gr. "Where the Greek brewery ΕΖΑ bets". capital.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  23. ^ Mandravelis, Paschos. "My dear oligopolies". kathimerini.gr (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Greek Beer Festival". greekbeerfestival.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2024-04-29.
  25. ^ Trouva, Charilaos (July 2005). "Τhe colour of the malt". Beverages & Drinks (in Greek). No. 1. Athens: NextMedia Hellas S.A. (thenextmediaco.gr). pp. 62–64.
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  30. ^ "Brewery and Products" (PDF). chamber.org.il. Hellenic Breweries of Atalanti S.A.
  31. ^ The Untappd Team. "Macedonian Thrace Brewery S.A." untappd.com. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
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  34. ^ Vasilios X. Ragkatsis. "Sectoral competition in the brewery sector" (PDF) (in Greek).
  35. ^ Petridou, Marina (2022-06-21). "8 of our favourite craft beers from Greek micro-breweries". gastronomos.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 2024-06-28.
  36. ^ "10 summer Greek craft beers for refreshment, mezedes and ladera dishes". gastronomos.gr (in Greek). 2024-06-13. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16.