Craft beer has a reputation for being an expensive hobby – and often with good reason. The 11 Greek beers we’ve chosen, however, cost between €2 and €3, making them easily accessible even on a student budget. They may not compete with mass-produced lagers on price, but the difference is small. In return, you get carefully brewed beers made with selected malts and hops, each with its own character. From refreshing lagers and spicy pilsners to smoky beers, red ales and expressive pale ales, they all offer excellent value for money.

Blue Monkey: Simple, but Far from Ordinary

The famous frescoes of blue monkeys discovered at the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri inspired the name of this beer by Ftelos Brewery. This copper-colored lager is unpasteurized, bottle-conditioned and has an ABV of just 4.4%. Its flavor moves gently between malt and a touch of sweetness before ending on a clean, refreshing note. It’s the kind of beer you can open without a second thought alongside roast chicken, a vegetable pizza or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Άλη Red Ale: Caramel and Toasted Malt

Thessaloniki’s first microbrewery was founded by four friends and former classmates who had started out experimenting with homebrewing. Their red ale is one of the most substantial beers on this list, combining caramel and biscuit notes with toasted malt and balanced bitterness. Oat flakes give it a smooth, velvety texture.  It has an ABV of 5% and pairs well with burgers, sausages, grilled mushrooms or a hearty savory pie.

Belka: A Pilsner with Character

Hazy and dark orange with a thick white head, it looks little like a classic, crystal-clear pilsner. On the nose, you’ll find grain, yeast and lemon. On the palate, malt and cereal notes gradually give way to grass and citrus. Moderate carbonation keeps it lively, while the herbal finish brings a pleasant bitterness. Made for Athens-based Belka Brews at Άλη Microbrewery in Thessaloniki, it has 5% ABV. Pair it with fried chicken, seafood or a pizza with just a few toppings.

Ikariotissa: A Lager with a Malty Heart

Ikaria’s first brewery uses water from the island’s natural springs to make this fresh, unpasteurized lager with no preservatives. It has 5% ABV and a deep golden color. Malt takes the lead, giving the beer body and grain notes, while citrus adds freshness and keeps it from tasting too heavy. It may not be the lightest lager, but it is easy to drink and pairs well with food. Try it with roast chicken, oven-baked potatoes, cheese pie or a smoked turkey and cheese sandwich.

ORA Patrinella: Smoky and Light

A smoked beer doesn’t have to be as intense as it sounds. This fresh, unpasteurized lager from Patraiki Brewery is amber-colored, with 4.9% ABV and a lasting white head. Smoked malt gives it caramel notes and a mildly spicy edge without overwhelming the other flavors. A gentle malty sweetness lingers on the finish, making it more approachable than its name might suggest. Enjoy it with smoked meats and cheeses or grilled vegetables.

Lost in Naxos: A Reliable Choice

Its story began in Galatsi, an Athens neighborhood with strong ties to Naxos. Nomadic brewery 608 Brewing Co. develops the recipe, and the beer is produced at Pineios Brewery. Blonde and light-bodied, with an ABV of 4.5%, it has gentle malt and grain aromas and a crisp, refreshing finish. Easy to drink and unlikely to overpower your food, it’s a good match for pizza, chicken souvlaki or salads – or simply for an impromptu evening with friends.

Septem Friday’s: A Full-Flavored Ale

It is made in Orologio, Evia, by Septem Microbrewery, which was founded in 2009 by chemist and winemaker Sofoklis Panagiotou and economist Georgios Panagiotou. Its golden-copper color, orange highlights and creamy head hint at a pale ale with plenty of character. On the nose, peach and lime mingle with floral notes and toasted almond. On the palate, a touch of sweetness balances the lively hops, leading to a long floral and citrus finish. With enough character to stand up to bold flavors, it pairs well with burgers, spicy Mexican dishes or a hearty meat pie.

Mikonu Fresh Lager: A Lager with Cycladic Roots

Two homebrewers founded Mykonos Brewing Company, the island’s first microbrewery, in 2017. Their 5% ABV blonde lager combines caramelized malts with fruity hops. The first sip brings gentle sweetness and grain notes, but citrus quickly follows, adding freshness and balance. Crisp, refreshing and easygoing, it works just as well with a Greek salad and fried zucchini as it does with pizza or chicken souvlaki.

Puppenhaus: German Precision, Athens Style

This blonde Helles lager from Athens-based Blame the Sun Brewing gets its pronounced malty character from the traditional decoction method: a portion of the mash is heated separately to develop greater depth of flavor. Produced at Pineios Brewery, it has an ABV of 4.3%. It tastes of fresh bread, with a cool, herbal hint of lemongrass on the finish. Light but far from bland, it’s ideal with schnitzel, sausages and mustard, pizza or a well-toasted grilled cheese sandwich.

Originally published in Greek at gastronomos.gr