TTP

 Turkish Beers & Beer-Drinking

 

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Decent beer is always available in Turkey, even though the national tipple is raki.

Turkey produces several good lagers. The best—and best-selling Turkish beer (80% of the market) is Efes Pilsen, brewed in Izmir. The same company, Efes Beverage Group, brews Becks, Miller, Warstiener and Fosters under licence.

Tuborg is also brewed in Turkey under license. Heineken is imported.

You won't die of thirst on a hot day in Turkey!

When I first arrived in Turkey in 1967, the only beer available was Tekel Birasi, brewed and distributed by the now-defunct government monopoly wine-beer-and-spirits company. It was sometimes alright, more often disappointing, but it's all there was at the time.

You may still find Tekel Birasi in some places. Tekel is gone, but another brewer keeps the disappointment alive.

Laws and ordinances governing the sale and consumption of beer are not as strict in Turkey as in the UK, USA or Canada. Beer can be bought in many shops, restaurants and cafes. Drinking beer in public places is unusual but not unknown.

Some restaurants feature one brand of beer over others (according to the beer company's restrictive distribution agreements), so you may not have a choice of beers in every establishment.

Turkish & Foreign Beers, Istanbul

'Tall-boys' in an Istanbul store. Some beers are also available in the traditional brown bottles, and on tap.


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