Beer in Greece
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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]
History
[edit]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.
[edit]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
[edit]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]
Modern history
[edit]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.
| 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
[edit]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]
Popular Beers
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Breweries
[edit]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]
| 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
[edit]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
External links
[edit]Heineken
EZA
Mamos
Nymfi
Vergina
56 Isles
Alea
Ali
Amoussa
Argo, Molotov
Athineo
Brinks
Brewtiful
Canal Dive
Chios Beer
Corfu Beer
Delphi / Marea
Dias
Donkey
Empati
Epilogi
Flaros
Fonias
Harma
Helmisons
Hoppy Seal
Ikarotissa
Johnnies' Beer
Karma
Kasta
Katsika
Kirki
Kefalonian Beer
Kykao
Lafkas Brewery
Levante
Local
Lola
Lyra
Magnus Magister / Knights
Mani Brewery
Marmita
Midnight Circus Gypsy
Mikonu
Naxos Beer
Nissos
Noble Men
Noctua
Notos
Olympica Magna
Olympos Beer
Ora
Plastiga
Samos Beer
Septem
Sigri
Sknipa
Solo
Sparta
Spira
Stala
Stilvi
Theros
Theta (Θ)
Touls Brews
VAM
VAP
Volkan Brewery
Voreia Beer
Wings
See also
[edit]
References
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- ^ a b "Greek beer rise to the top". discovergreece.com. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "The Contribution made by Beer to the European Economy" (PDF). The Brewers of Europe.
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- ^ "Hilfe für Biertrinker". theo48.wordpress.com (in German). 2007-12-18. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
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- ^ "Drinking in Greece". greeklandscapes.com. 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
- ^ "Beer: These are the 70 2 microbreweries from your place". ot.gr (in Greek). 20 May 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01.
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- ^ "One microbrewery in every prefecture of Greece" (in Greek). Kathimerini. 23 July 2018. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01.
- ^ Manifava, Dimitra. "Greece going beer crazy as microbreweries proliferate". ekathimerini.com. Kathimerini. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
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- ^ "Every city has its own brand Greek beer" (in Greek). 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024.
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- ^ Mandravelis, Paschos. "My dear oligopolies". kathimerini.gr (in Greek). Kathimerini. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
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- ^ 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.
- ^ "Athenian Brewery". brewerydb.com. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
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- ^ "Brewery and Products" (PDF). chamber.org.il. Hellenic Breweries of Atalanti S.A.
- ^ The Untappd Team. "Macedonian Thrace Brewery S.A." untappd.com. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
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- ^ Vasilios X. Ragkatsis. "Sectoral competition in the brewery sector" (PDF) (in Greek).
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
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