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Beer in Lebanon

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Almaza pilsener beer

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage in Lebanon. Lebanon's rich cultural heritage, vibrant social scene, and appreciation for dining out, along with local cuisine like mezze and grilled meats that pair well with beer, contribute to the strong demand for alcoholic beverages, including beer.[1] According to a 2018 World Health Organization report, beer consumption in Lebanon amounts to 34% of alcohol per capita (15+) consumption.[1]

History

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In the Levant, the production and consumption of beer dates back to between 5500 and 3900 B.C.E. and by the Early Bronze Age (c. 3300–2300 B.C.E.), beer drinking became common across much of the ancient Near East.[2]

One of the earliest pieces of evidence of beer in ancient Lebanon is housed at the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut, which displays a variety of alcohol-related artifacts, including a collection of small Iron Age beer jugs from the Bekaa, Sidon, Tell El Ghassil, and Palestine.[3]

The Phoenicians were known for trading beer across their colonies around the Mediterranean, particularly along the North African coast.[4] The trade expanded to regions beyond the Mediterranean, including the Basque Country, where it is believed that beer brewing was introduced by the Phoenicians.[5]

The Grande Brasserie du Levant, established by George Gellad in 1931, is Lebanon's oldest brewery, renowned for its iconic local beer brand, Laziza.[6] Laziza was one of the most popular beers in Lebanon during the 1960s and 1970s.[7]

Almaza, is also one of the oldest beer brands in Lebanon. Brasserie Almaza S.A.L., a German-style pilsner beer, was founded by three families, Angelopoulu, Comaty, and Jabre in 1933.[8]

Economy

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The beer market in Lebanon has seen notable growth in recent years, fueled by shifting consumer preferences, emerging trends, and unique local factors. In 2025, the beer market in Lebanon is expected to generate a total revenue of US$90.6 million, with US$70.6 million coming from at-home sales and US$20.1 million from out-of-home sales. At-home revenue is projected to grow at a 1.56% annual rate from 2025 to 2029.[9]

For generations, Lebanon’s beer market was dominated by Almaza, producing an estimated 24 million liters annually, alongside stiff competition from imported brands like Heineken, Corona, Efes, and Budweiser, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s. [10]Craft beer was virtually unknown in Lebanon until 2006, when Mazen Hajjar and his partners launched a microbrewery and introduced 961 to the market, prompting Almaza to diversify its offerings with the introduction of Almaza Malt, a darker alternative to its pilsner, followed by Almaza Light and Al Rayess beer.[11]

Breweries and Brands

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Almaza

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Brasserie Almaza, renowned for its German-style pilsner, was founded in 1933 by the Angelopoulu, Comaty, and Jabre families, swiftly dominating the market and holding more than 70% share for decades.[12] The brewery was bought by Heineken in 2002.[13]

Almaza has long been synonymous with beer in Lebanon, but Brasserie Almaza's market dominance ended as competition, such as Kassatly Chtaura's Beirut Beer and new innovative craft beers hit the shelves.[14]

Renowned hedge fund manager Philippe Jabre bought back the majority stake in Brasserie Almaza from Heineken after the company faced economic challenges in Lebanon. Jabre stepped in to prevent the brewery's closure, preserving nearly 200 jobs, and successfully increased exports from 25% to 40% of Almaza's annual production of 200,000 hectolitres.[15]

Beirut Beer

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Beirut Beer is a pilsner beer, produced and bottled by Kassatly Chtaura,[16] one of the largest drinks producer in Lebanon.[17]

While Beirut Beer is a commercial beer rather than a craft one, its aggressive and highly successful advertising campaign played a key role in expanding the Lebanese beer market.[18] The campaign sparked a buzz around beer in Lebanon, encouraging consumers to explore new varieties.[18] This generated greater interest in beer and ultimately led to an increase in per capita consumption. With this growing interest, distributors began exploring the import of more beer varieties to Lebanon.[18]

CedarCraft

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Cedar Craft is a 0.33L pilsner beer with an alcohol volume of 4.8%, priced at 7.58 Euro per liter.[19]

Colonel Brewery And Distillery

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Colonel became Lebanon’s second craft brewery after 961 Beer.[20] Founded in Batroun by Jamil Haddad, whose passion for windsurfing inspired him to enter the alcohol-making business at just 16, the brewery produces five beers: a filtered and unfiltered lager, a light German beer, a red Irish, and a black Irish, all brewed using traditional Czech technology.[20]

Elmir Craft Beer

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Elmir Craft Beer, one of the few modern breweries in Lebanon, was founded by Noël Abinader and Chris Fadel, a trained brewer and chemist. The duo enlisted food engineer, microbiologist, and fermentation expert Marc Bou Zeidan as their third co-founder, and together they launched their core range—an Amber Ale, IPA, and Wheat Beer—in November 2018.[21]

Laziza

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George Gellad founded Laziza in 1931, establishing the first brewery in the Levant.[22] The brewery’s lager quickly became Lebanon’s most popular beer, until the outbreak of the civil war, which led to its closure in 1990.[22] In 1999, Georges Khazam, the grandson of the original founder, revived the brand by reintroducing Laziza beer, along with a new non-alcoholic version.[22][23]

961

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961 is a pale ale with a dry, almost woody character, infused with Lebanese flavors like sumac, sage, and mint, featuring a well-balanced body, herbal dryness, and a nutty maltiness.[24][25] Mazen Hajjar, founder of 961 Beer, began brewing at home, and thanks to the success of his beers, the brand quickly expanded its offerings, now including a range of unique styles like a Lebanese Pale Ale brewed with local spices.[26] It quickly became one of the only Levantine microbreweries that exports worldwide.[27] By 2021, the brewery was producing a 300,000 cases annually and exporting to 16 countries.[28]

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Alcohol Consumption in Lebanon" (PDF). World Health Organization. WHO. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  2. ^ Steinmeye, Nathan. "Ancient Israel and the History of Beer". Biblical Archaeology Society. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  3. ^ Bou Rizk, Aimee. "Eat Drink & Be Merry Brewing Since 7000 BC" (PDF). AUB.edu.lb. American University of Beirut. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  4. ^ Rhodes, Christine (23 September 2014). Encyclopedia of Beer. Henry Holt and Company. p. 1008.
  5. ^ ohannes Heinrich, August Ebrard (1887). Apologetics, Or, The Scientific Vindication of Christianity (2 ed.). Harvard University. p. 401.
  6. ^ Enders, David (26 September 2017). "Battle over Beirut landmark demolition raises bigger questions about city's fate". The National. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  7. ^ Kenner, David (14 July 2017). "Farewell, Lebanon's First Brewery". Financial Times. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  8. ^ Verstl, Ina (13 October 2023). "Philippe Jabre: From hedge fund manager in Geneva to brewer in Beirut". Brauwelt International. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Beer - Lebanon". Statista. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  10. ^ Rahhal, Nabila (16 February 2018). "Cheers for the beers". Executive Magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  11. ^ Rahhal, Nabila (16 February 2018). "Cheers for the beers". Executive Magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  12. ^ Murray, Livia. "Positive Shock, Special Report". Executive Magazine. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Another American Buy for Heineken". Beverage Daily. 2 October 2002. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  14. ^ Cochrane, Paul (15 October 2014). "Multiple shades of amber". Execuive Magazine. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  15. ^ Jalabi, Raya (9 July 2023). "Philippe Jabre's taste for an unexpected second act". Financial Times. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  16. ^ "Beirut Beer: 'A beer on the rise' by Operation Unicorn". Campaign ME. 22 December 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  17. ^ Prentis, Jamie (22 December 2022). "Lebanon drinks giant Kassatly Chtaura reveals plans to open factory in Cyprus". The National. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  18. ^ a b c Rahhal, Nabila (16 February 2018). "Cheers for the beers". Executive Magazine. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Cedar Craft Beer, Beer the Lebanese Way". Libanon Weine. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  20. ^ a b Chamas, Sophia (30 April 2013). "This Seaside Brewery Is Upgrading Lebanon's Craft Beer Scene". Vice. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  21. ^ "A Glimpse of Hope - El Emir Craft Beer". Good Beer Huntin. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  22. ^ a b c "Laziza rises again". The Economist. Vol. 351. 29 March 2011. p. 75.
  23. ^ "Laziza History". Delicious Sparking Temperatture. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  24. ^ Tim Webb, Stephen Beaumont (2 November 2017). Pocket Beer: he Indispensable Guide to the World's Beers (3rd ed.). Octopus. p. 320.
  25. ^ Deuel, Nathan (3 August 2013). "The Hipster Brewmeister of Beirut". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  26. ^ Byrne, Rebecca. "4 Middle East Breweries That Define the Region's Burgeoning Craft Beer Scene". MatadorNetork.com. Matador Network. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  27. ^ "The beer with a Levant slant". The Washington Post. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  28. ^ "Garrett Hill Ale House introduces hand-crafted Lebanese beer". Media News Pubisher. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
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