Summer and most of us will visit destinations that may have a Greek brewery near them, after all, there are more than 75. Tourism is the opportunity for each place to profit financially from its visitors. Alternative forms of tourism such as agrotourism and wine tourism have already begun to be noticed in our country. With so many breweries and even more beer labels, visiting one is a different activity during the holiday season, which can even solve many questions for visitors
Internet searches related to our country’s beer tourism will reveal little useful information and organized tours are counted on the fingers of one hand. On the other hand, wine tourism –although according to what people closer to the area report, it also lags– has many and various options. But let’s look at some elements that lead to limiting the promotion of beer tourism on the internet, the place, where every beer-loving visitor of a destination, both from Greece and abroad, will look at, as well as some suggestions for promotion.
To begin with, all breweries are not open to visitors. Those that are, either don’t display it properly or not at all, because they don’t have much time during the summer to deal with it. Of course, here the solution is to collaborate with a beer sommelier, as I mentioned in a previous article, or it can be the main responsibility of a member of the team, with the necessary knowledge. All our breweries are willing to meet people but under the right conditions.
For those who have the facilities, the submission of an application for recognition by the Ministry of Tourism to receive the “Brewery Open to the Public” mark, should be taken for granted. Subsequently, the announcement on the website and social networks is mandatory. Collaborating with local travel agencies, and informing hotels and accommodations that this possibility is offered for a participation fee are also some ways to inform the public and professionals.
Ideally a list on the website of the Ministry of Tourism or the Hellenic Brewers Association, even for its members only, in both Greek and English –to start from– would be useful. But since this list doesn’t exist, we made sure to create it and you’ll find it on the Beer & Bar Magazine website.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Region of Attica supported the Greek Beer Awards, they are certainly willing to support and present a comprehensive proposal for beer tourism. But which Chamber or organization deals with beer, when its members do not work with that organization? Breweries need to think, that the Chambers are not only there to offer cheaper booths at exhibitions. Breweries need to claim their participation in the tourist promotions of their region. Communicate with the Municipal Authorities, the Regions, the Ministries and the organizations they supervise.
There are many organized spaces for tastings in some breweries, meet the brewer events as the mentioned –which do not have to be done only in breweries– or even guided tours inside the production facility that you can enjoy. Unfortunately, I have not been able to visit all the breweries and their premises, I have seen some of them on the internet and I have been thrilled. For some I have been the recipient of enthusiasm for this project from the brewers themselves. Transfer this feeling to everyone you wish to visit you.
- Excellent places for visits are:
- Septem Microbrewery, in Evia
- Pineios Brewery, in Larissa
- Mykonos Brewing Co.
- Ftelos Brewery, in Santorini and
- Charma Cretan Brewery, in Chania.
A look at their social media pages and websites is informative and engaging for those looking for something different to entertain and inform the places they visit. Many new breweries are now investing in tasting rooms from the beginning. As long as it is convenient to get in touch with them and go for a visit, it will be a nice experience. So a trip to a brewery, and in fact a local one, not just to those abroad.
Discover more destinations on our website. I invite you to participate in some of the tastings we are preparing as part of "Brew Your Best Spirit", with beers from the Greek Beer Awards, even at the breweries themselves. Stay updated by following us on social media and our newsletter.
First publication: Beer & Bar Magazine, Issue 21 (buy the issue)
