As a country that is a big mix of cultures from all around the world, Israel has a very developed and diverse drinking culture. Between drinks like red wine, Lebanese Arak, or Russian Vodka, which are some of the most beloved alcoholic drinks in Israel, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to alcohol in this country. However, above all stands the Israeli beer, which has become the most popular drink in Israel, and has a well-developed scene around it. So whether you’re a beer enthusiast, or just looking for a nice drink during your trip to Israel, here’s all things beer in Israel.
Most popular Israeli beers
Through the years, with the growing popularity of beer in Israel, we have seen more and more original Israeli beer types that have gained popularity throughout the country. Here are some of the best Israeli beers you can find here.
Goldstar Beer
Goldstar is undoubtedly the most beloved and iconic Israeli beer on the market. It comes in a few different versions, with one of the most popular ones being an unfiltered version, which is deep and extremely flavorful. You can find the Goldstar Beer, which is known for its dull golden color and wonderful smell, in almost every bar and supermarket in the country, as it’s usually the most popular choice among Israelis for either parties or barbecues.
Alexander Beer
Alexander Brewery, located near River Alexander, is one of the newest and most successful beer makers in Israel. The award-winning brewery offers a few different popular flavors, including the Alexander Green, a fruity and flavorful 6% alcohol beer, with tastes of Mango and Guava.
Ugly Indian Beer
We all know that inner beauty is much more important than outer beauty, what’s especially true when it comes to beer.
This unique beer has earned its name (and reputation) as “the ugly beer” due to the contrast between its initial bitter tastes and its sweet, fruity aromas. Despite the first bitter taste, the taste does not overshadow other tastes, and quickly disappears from the mouth, leaving a great final touch that will leave you wanting more.
How to order beer in Israel
In bars and clubs in Israel, beers will usually be served in a couple of different glass sizes. The sizes are usually either 333 ml, known as “shleesh”, which means a third, 500 ml, known as “hetzi”, which means a half, or a simple bottle.
Unique places in Israel for beer lovers
Beer market
Beer Market is a special store that focuses entirely on beer, with a great and knowledgeable staff. It is a small bar made entirely of wood, where you can find no less than kinds of 80 Israeli beers. Probably the biggest attraction here is the changing beer taps, brought here by various breweries. Those will give you a golden opportunity to taste wonderful boutique beers, and then fill up empty bottles for sale with your favorites. Beer Market has two branches in the country, with one branch in Rishon Letz’ion, and another one in Jerusalem.
Beerbazaar
Beerbazaar is a very popular chain of craft beer bars and stores, that offer a huge variety of high-quality Israeli beers. The vision of Beerbazaar is to provide a platform for boutique local beer makers that don’t have the means to produce and sell it in masses, so during your visit here, you can try plenty of great unknown beers that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. With branches in Jaffa, the Carmel Market, Machane Yehuda Market, and other central locations in Israel, Beebazaar has several very conveniently located stores, offering a great experience for beer lovers, as well as a unique social vibe.
Best breweries to visit
Malka Brewery
A refreshing Galilean boutique beer awaits you at the brewery of Malka Brewery in Kibbutz Yehiam, at the foot of the beautiful Yehiam Fortress and in front of a breathtaking view of the sea. At Malka’s yard, the brewery’s terrace-pub, you can try all the types of beers that are made here, with several different kinds, which suit any taste. One of the secrets of the brewery’s success lies in using the clear Ga’aton River spring water in the production process. It’s best to come here on Thursday evenings when sometimes you can see live performances at the venue.
Galil Brewery
A pleasant surprise awaits you at the picturesque Kibbutz Moran, in the form of the Galil Brewery. This great brewery specializes in a variety of things, as in addition to offering a large selection of boutique beers, it also serves as a pub, that is known around the area as a great place for meat lovers. Galil Brewery offers several great beers straight from the barrel, such as IPA, blonde ale, stout, triple Belgian style, a seasonal beer for the summer months with touches of spices and orange peels, and seasonal beer for the winter months with a special touch of baked pumpkin.
Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 17:00, Friday and Saturday from 12:30
Soof Brewery – the southernmost brewery in Israel
That’s right, the Israeli beer scene is so developed that even the city of Eilat boasts its own local brewery: Soof Brewery. Similar to many other breweries, the story of Soof began with a few good friends and one great love for beer, and the result is what you can see here today: a brewery offering a selection of interesting ale, lager, and wheat beers, among them even a dark beer with touches of date honey and cherries. In addition to beer, Soof has a varied food menu, offering both snacks alongside the beer and main dishes of meat, fish, and seafood.
Serigim Brewery
A boutique beer that had burst into the Israeli beer scene in recent years. The young brewery, located in the village of Srigim south of Beit Shemesh, was established by Ofer Ronan and Ohad Ilon, two high-tech professionals who decided to build their own brewery together. You will find here a classic European collection, with offerings of Irish, Bavarian, Belgian, and English beer, and an unexpected boutique-American wine. The brewery is active and open to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During your visit here, you can go for one-hour tours, which include beer tastings and a nice amount of beer to take home. After the tour, you can relax in the friendly beer garden that serves typical food that goes alongside beer, such as veal sausages, various fried foods, and a very popular pretzels and Nutella chocolate dip.
