Breweries

šŗ Brewing in North Cyprus: Local Craft You Should Try
North Cyprus is quietly becoming a hotspot for beer lovers. Beyond the ubiquitous imported lagers, locals and visitors are now finding true craft brews born of Cypriot ingredients, small-batch passion, and a desire to bring new flavors to the islandās drinking culture. Below, weāve added a travel-guide twist: real names, where to go, and what to taste.
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š»Notable Breweries & Brewpubs to Visit
Here are some standout places around North Cyprus where you can taste or learn about local brewing:
Lionās Heart Brewing Co. (North Cyprus)
Likely the most recognized name in the local craft scene, Lionās Heart produces North Cyprus Gold, a Blonde/Golden Ale with ~4.6 % ABV.
The brewery is tied to Château St. Hilarion Wines, as the same family operations expand into beer.
Youāll find their beer in bars around Kyrenia, LefkoÅa, and beyond ā often as a ālocal on tapā option.
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š» The Walls Inn Brew Pub (LefkoÅa / Nicosia, North)
Situated inside the walled city of North Nicosia, The Walls Inn is a prime spot for craft beer lovers.
⢠They offer 21 tap lines, many reserved for local and rotational craft brews.
⢠They also run a small brew setup (or did in early days via O-LIVE) and are well known among locals as a gathering place for beer fans.
⢠As a tip: go in the evening to enjoy the brew flight options and the lively pub atmosphere.
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š» Golem Brewhouse (Nicosia / LefkoÅa area)
Golem Brewhouse is a microbrewery and taproom in Nicosiaās northern side.
They emphasize small batch production and stay true to their roots ā e.g. by using Czech ingredients where feasible.
Itās a good stop if youāre exploring the city and want to see a working microbrewery in action.
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š» Pivo Microbrewery (Old Nicosia)
Pivo is a family-owned microbrewery in the heart of old Nicosia (LefkoÅa).
⢠It began operations around 2015, originally functioning as a brewpub in the old town.
⢠It is well regarded by locals and visitors for its artisan beers and the brewery + restaurant combination.
⢠If you visit, ask whether there is a tour or tasting session ā many small breweries are open to such visits if you call ahead.
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š»Beer Bars & Pour Spots Around Girne
While large-scale breweries are fewer in the north, there are several bars that support and promote local beer:
š Beer Point, Girne ā A pub in Girne with a good selection of draft beers, decent food, shisha, and a relaxed evening vibe.
š In Girneās old harbour area and surrounding streets, many bars now carry ālocal beer on tapā signs, especially those catering to international visitors. (Check menus or ask the bartender.)
š When in Bellapais or quieter villages near Girne, local wine bars sometimes stock a few local craft beers too ā combining wine and beer menus.
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šļøSample Itinerary for Beer Lovers
Hereās how you might work a brewery / beer bar tour into a North Cyprus stay:
š»Day 1 ā Arrival in LefkoÅa Walk the walled city, get your bearings Start with The Walls Inn in the evening for local brews
š»Day 2 ā Explore Nicosia Historic streets, cafes, markets Visit Pivo Microbrewery (if open) or Golem Brewhouse for a midday stop
š»Day 3 ā Travel to Kyrenia / Girne Scenic drive, stops along the coast In the evening, try Beer Point or harbour-front bars
š»Day 4 ā Mountains, Villages & Nature Explore the Kyrenia Mountains, Bellapais Abbey, small villages Ask in local tavernas for any small batch beers in that area
š»Day 5 ā Wrap up & sampling Return to LefkoÅa or your base Revisit favorite bars or try new taps before departure
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šBrewing in Practice: Local Flavours & Challenges
Some things to know about the brewing scene in North Cyprus:
š„ Local ingredients: Many craft brewers experiment with honey, citrus peel, herbs, and seasonal fruits to complement the local terroir.
š² Logistics & costs: Because raw materials (especially specialty malts and hops) often need to be imported, small brewers face higher costs.
š Distribution: Smaller breweries often supply only to local bars, guesthouses, and shops in the north; large supermarket chains tend to stick with major brands.
šŗļø Tourism synergy: Brewpubs and taprooms that offer tasting and stories tend to attract tourists ā this is a growth area.











