🍺 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.