On a sizzling day in Athens, there are few things more refreshing than a cold beer. Recent years have seen a craft beer revolution sweep Greece, with microbreweries popping up on the islands, in central Athens and around the mainland. Today, there’s no need to settle for a bland multinational brand: the ever-growing range of high-quality Greek craft beers is sure to leave a sweeter and more revitalizing taste in your mouth.

Strange Brew is one of the most celebrated brands of this new generation. Like many of their contemporaries, the makers of this beer are nomadic brewers; they don’t have their own facilities, so they use those of other companies. Hailing from Athens, the team has brewed in both Sparta and Chios before coming home for their latest creation, Farmhouse Ale, which they’re making at the new Alea Brewery on the city’s outskirts. Other options include Mandy Black, a thick export stout, and the fruity Jasmine IPA, arguably the ultimate Athenian summer beer. This year, the team opened The Strange Brew Taproom & Bottleshop (86 Falirou) in Koukaki, whch has a minimal, Scandinavian aesthetic, a rotating selection of ten Greek craft beers on tap and a wide range of bottled brews.

Another purpose-built space to enjoy craft beer is Tales of Ales (19 Miltiadou). This cozy bar in Monastiraki is a cool hideaway in the summer, where you can enjoy your brew (and great music) with other beer lovers. Co-founders Agis and Kostas are on hand to answer questions and introduce you to Greece’s best beers. There’s a stellar selection on tap and the fridges are an Aladdin’s cave of domestic and imported beers. Alternatively, grab a bottle at Brew Str (50A Nikis), which boasts an equally impressive range.

This text was first published as part of “Beat the Heat”, an article published in Greece Is Athens, Summer 2019 Edition.