Greek beer/liquor

You'll probably see Alpha Beer too, in addition to Mythos. Similar taste. We learned to like ouzo when it was served with ice and water. At some places, you'll get a small bottle of ouzo, a bowl of ice, a pitcher of water and an empty glass. Add the ice to your glass, then ouzo to taste, and then water. Then sip, while you watch the sun set over the beautiful Aegean!

I have no information regarding Greek beer or liquor, but here's a comment. When we go into a bar or cafe we always ask if there is a local beer. There usually is. Sometimes this is a good conversation opener. On our last trip I kept a beer diary. It lists thirty-two beers and is an interesting sidelight to our travel diary.

Mythos is the most popular Greek beer but there's nothing unique about it. As for spirits, try Raki. And if you like liqueurs, try Kitron from Naxos. Retsina is definitely an acquired taste but worth trying once.

While it has been a while (8 years or so) I do not recall much beer other than the typical main brands and a group of horrible budget beers with faux German names. On Crete, I did find a microbrew of sorts that bottled out of the town of Rethimnon, they might have that someplace in Athens, it was actually a very good darker beer, similar to an amber ale. Also from Crete, is Raki, a distilled beverage, basically very similar to Grappa. I recall some other herbal and flavored liquors, and the wines, particularly the whites, are very drinkable, try retsina, but stick to other whites.

Alpha and Mythos are the two most popular, they're OK but nothing special. When you go to a restaurant, I would try their house usually family made wine. We were pleasantly surprised many times at how good they were and they were much less expensive than anything in a bottle. They may not be on the menu but just ask.

Fix was another Greek beer we discovered this last trip... There are also several microbreweries and some of the smaller restaurants carry them - just ask what is local. The restaurants also often have some great wine or other drinks specific to their region. Sometimes they aren't so great but it's fun to fake it for the restaurant owner who is so proudly serving it.

Hi Ron. You could check out Craft Brewery while in Athens. The website is www.craft.gr, and they have some nice micro-brews to offer and decent food as well (though not necessarily Greek food).

Can't comment on Greek beer but: Masticha (or mastika) is a aromatic liquor made from a gum plant only found on a Greek Island. It has a unique aroma and flavor, slightly sweet. Definitely try it. Tentura is a cinnamon flavoured liquor from Petras that is very good. Ouzo gets its distinct aroma and flavor from anise. So if you don't like liquorice, you won't like ouzo. I find it more palatible with ice, which makes it also turn cloudy. Often one of the above will be provided as an after-dinner shot with your bill. In Athens, do visit Brettos on Kidathineon Street in the Plaka. It's a bar/tasting room for all of the above and an amazing number of other Greek liquors.

Ron, I was also going to suggest Mastika, Kitron and Ouzo. Mastika is produced from the Mastic tree which is common in Meditteranean regions. There are variations in other countries (ie: Bulgaria). It's often used as a "digestive". It has somewhat of a "pine" taste and I found that I quite enjoyed it. I'm sorry that I didn't bring a larger bottle back, as I haven't been able to find it here. Kitron is only made on the island of Naxos AFAIK. It's somewhat like Limoncello but is made from the leaves and other parts of the lemon tree, rather than the fruit. There are three "strengths" which are color-coded - yellow, clear and green. As I recall, yellow is the strongest. I found with my last experience with Ouzo that it's wise to limit consumption, as over imbibing has nasty effects! Cheers!

Probably most famous Greek brandy is Metaxa. Try it. Not bad.

Thanks for the info everyone.
Have tried the Mythos, Alfa, fix and Beprina beers. Correct, they are ok but nothing great. Just got to Athens (Nafplio was beautiful btw despite the cold weather) today and picked up a bottle of Retsina but have yet to try it. Really love it here, but please sun, come out tomorrow!