🍺 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 island’s drinking culture. Below, we’ve added a travel-guide twist: real names, where to go, and what to taste. 

🍻Notable Breweries & Brewpubs to Visit

Here are some standout places around North Cyprus where you can taste or learn about local brewing: 

🍻Lion’s Heart Brewing Co. (North Cyprus) 

Likely the most recognized name in the local craft scene, Lion’s 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. You’ll find their beer in bars around Kyrenia, Lefkoşa, and beyond — often as a “local on tap” option. 

🍻 The Walls Inn Brew Pub (Lefkoşa / 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. 

🍻 Golem Brewhouse (Nicosia / Lefkoşa area) 

Golem Brewhouse is a microbrewery and taproom in Nicosia’s northern side. They emphasize small batch production and stay true to their roots — e.g. by using Czech ingredients where feasible. It’s a good stop if you’re exploring the city and want to see a working microbrewery in action. 

🍻 Pivo Microbrewery (Old Nicosia) 

Pivo is a family-owned microbrewery in the heart of old Nicosia (Lefkoşa). 

• 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 — many small breweries are open to such visits if you call ahead. 

🍻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: 

📌 Beer Point, Girne 

A pub in Girne with a good selection of draft beers, decent food, shisha, and a relaxed evening vibe. 

📌 In Girne’s old harbour area and surrounding streets, many bars now carry “local beer on tap” signs, especially those catering to international visitors. (Check menus or ask the bartender.) 

📌 When in Bellapais or quieter villages near Girne, local wine bars sometimes stock a few local craft beers too — combining wine and beer menus. 

🗓️Sample Itinerary for Beer Lovers 

Here’s how you might work a brewery / beer bar tour into a North Cyprus stay: 

🍻Day 1 

Arrival in Lefkoşa Walk the walled city, get your bearings.

Start with The Walls Inn in the evening for local brews 

🍻Day 2 

Explore Nicosia Historic streets, cafes, markets 

Visit Pivo Microbrewery (if open) or Golem Brewhouse for a midday stop 

🍻Day 3

Travel to Kyrenia / Girne Scenic drive, stops along the coast 

In the evening, try Beer Point or harbour-front bars 

🍻Day 4

 Mountains, Villages & Nature

 Explore the Kyrenia Mountains, Bellapais Abbey, small villages 

Ask in local tavernas for any small batch beers in that area 

🍻Day 5 

Wrap up & sampling 

Return to Lefkoşa or your base

 Revisit favorite bars or try new taps before departure 

😋Brewing in Practice

 Local Flavours & Challenges 

Some things to know about the brewing scene in North Cyprus: 

🥗 Local ingredients

Many craft brewers experiment with honey, citrus peel, herbs, and seasonal fruits to complement the local terroir. 

💲 Logistics & costs

Because raw materials (especially specialty malts and hops) often need to be imported, small brewers face higher costs. 

🚚 Distribution

Smaller breweries often supply only to local bars, guesthouses, and shops in the north; large supermarket chains tend to stick with major brands. 

🗺️ Tourism synergy

Brewpubs and taprooms that offer tasting and stories tend to attract tourists — this is a growth area.