Israel ice cream & more

In only 20 years, Israel went from having only two national beers, the famous Goldstar and Maccabee, to hosting an exciting, varied and vibrant craft beer scene. New craft breweries open their doors every year, and quality is impressive. 

There are plenty of reasons for visiting Israel, but Israeli beer is now one of them. The ever-popular Goldstar and Maccabee have been around since the 1950s. Still, the turn of the century brought a new wave of innovation and creativity. 

There are beer festivals and competitions now, and plenty of microbreweries that capture locals and tourists’ imagination. Bars and restaurants are slowly offering new brews, and it’s in these craft beer bars where you’ll find the best scenario to meet the country’s new beer. Here’s all you need to know about Israel’s craft beer.

Where to Drink Craft Beer in Israel?

It’s easy to find a cold ‘Hetzi’ (500 ml pint) of beer around Israel, especially in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem because of their thriving food scenes. And although the national, big manufacturer beers like Goldstar are easy to find, you need to know where to look if you want to find great craft beer. Most craft beers are small productions, and there isn’t enough to go around! Here are my favorite spots.

Beer Bazaar, with several locations in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is not only a specialty craft beer store, but a beer producer, and has numerous bar locations, all with a great ambiance. It all started in 2012, and the concept has been growing non-stop ever since. Here, it’s all about beer — good beer, and good times. Don’t miss it. 

Try a BlackJack Stout, a Fat Cat Pale ale, or a Whitney Wheat Beer. 

Beer Station, also with several locations, but only in Tel Aviv. This is the place for beer lovers, and the atmosphere is pretty fun! Expect live music, soccer matches on the TV, and proper beer.

Try the house Beer Station Pils or their Lager Red. They also offer international beers such as Urquell and Erdinger in case you're feeling homesick.

What are the Most Exciting Craft Beers in Israel?

Here are some craft beer brands that are well worth seeking out:

Dancing Camel Brewery (2005), Old Pappa Strong Ale with date honey 7.5%

Dancing Camel Brewery (2005), Gordon Bench Blond Ale, with local mint, 4.9%

Shapiro Brewery (2011), Double IPA, 8.5%

Shapiro Brewery (2011), Saison Melon, with hull melon hops 4.4%

Taybeh Brewing Company (1995), Golden Lager, German-style 5%

Taybeh Brewing Company (1995), White Wheat Beer, with Palestinian wheat, coriander and orange peel 3.8%

And there’s more, much more!

These are just a few craft beer bars and artisan beers in Israel, but there’s much more on offer. Like going on a Safari, the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have become a paradise for beer lovers who can find unique brews in the least expected places.

Come to Israel and taste the beer. Let a personal guide take you to the hottest spots for the coldest brews. 

 When going on a tour of Israel, nothing draws one to the culture of the country like the food and drinks of Israel. Apart from the Israeli wine & israel ice cream , the region also offers a variety of different spirits. Some of these spirits are native to the Middle East and are absolutely incredible. These top Israelian spirits should play a key role in why you should be visiting this country soon!

Arak is a spirit that is native to Israel that is made from distilled grapes with the addition of aniseed for flavor. Although it is clear when in the bottle, once the spirit is in contact with water, it instantly turns a milky white color.  It is a high-alcohol spirit that is either consumed with water or a favorite to add to coffee or to enjoy as an aperitif. In many situations, especially with millennials, this Israelian spirit is enjoyed over ice-cream as the ultimate, adult-dessert.

Tubi 60, with intense flavors of lemon and herb, that is known to provide more than the typical alcoholic-beverage. With an alcohol percentage of 40, this intense citrus-based liqueur of Israel is associated with giving a high effect, similar to what Ecstasy provides. Although the company guarantees that all ingredients are up to the legal standard, no one truly knows what is in Tubi 60. It is, however, appreciated not only for the high effect but also the fact that it is made from natural ingredients, which makes use of native herbs, fruits and spices.

Much like other parts of the world, Vodka is the most popular spirit in Israel. With the younger generation, vodka is often consumed with energy drinks and other mixers. The older generation, especially of eastern origin, enjoy their vodka on the rocks.  Whatever the preference, the sales of vodka continue to remain steady throughout the country.

Brandy is a popular distilled spirit of Israel, where internationally recognized brandies have been produced. The Carmel & Tishbi brandies, for instance, received spectacular reviews and major awards in the most prestigious international competitions. Along with Carmel & Tishbi, Golan Heights Distillery is another name high up in the Israel spirits business.

There has been a major shift in the production of quality whiskey in the last few years. Israeli distilleries have vouched to produce some great whiskeys in the next few years; placing Israel on the map for their quality production. The first few that was produced had already shown massive potential, with international judges praising the work of these Israeli producers.

It is not only the award-winning wines that have created major tourist-attraction, but it is also largely because of these distinct, Israeli spirits. Whether it be the native drinks or the more popular ones, Israel has managed to distill most quality spirits, and have been doing spectacularly with it.

When deciding where to go on your next travel adventure, why not put Israel on your itinerary? These unique drinks are only a taste of what extraordinary experiences await you.