Following Western European traditions, the phenomenon “small beer factory” appears for the first time in its modern form on the US western coast in 1977 and from there, it goes around the European countries. This model for first founded in Greece twelve years ago – Craft beer factory. It is a very original phenomenon for its time, because it is the first beer factory, which puts the beginning of a new, produced with pleasure and better in quality drink.

Later on, following Craft’s example, other smaller factories open and right now they are seven and each one of them contributes with something unique to the taste of the good Greek beer. What differentiates small factories from the mass production ones? For years, beer was never part of the Greek consumer ideals – they believed it is a drink, which goes with grilled meat and it drunk in summer… But the limited production of small factories is dedicated to good quality and it offers beer with character, aroma and mood. The pasteurization is mild and this is why the products have a three month expiration date. Stabilizers and conservants used in mass beer production are left aside in small factories.

Here are the beers you should try, no matter what season it is in Greece when you are visiting:

Craft

Small beer factory in Attiki region, which produces:

·          Athens Lager – deep golden color and diverse aroma: you can taste coffee, herbs, toasted bread, and hops.

·          Smoked Lager – nice aroma, which comes from the smoked beer and the strong saturated taste strengthens its qualities in a strange way.

·          Black Lager – impressive dark brown color and very think foam. The aroma of the beer is of ground coffee, dry nuts, pepper, yeast and jelly from dark fruits.

·          Red Ale – red beer with thick foam with aroma of plum, pepper, lemon and a touch of coffee. Long lasting aftertaste of pepper and burnt.