Bomonti vs. Efes: Understanding Turkish Macro Lagers (2025)
Before you dive into the niche craft beers of Kadıköy, you have to address the elephants in the room.
If you sit down at any cafe, kebab shop, or bar in Istanbul, you will be offered two choices: Efes or Bomonti.
To the untrained eye, they look like generic lagers. But in Istanbul, your choice signals your "tribe." Are you a traditionalist? A hipster? A student on a budget?
Which is better: Bomonti or Efes?
For most modern drinkers, Bomonti Filtresiz (Unfiltered) is considered the superior beer due to its smoother, 100% malt profile and lack of added sugar. Efes Pilsen is crisper and more bitter, making it better suited for cutting through greasy food like Kebab, but it often contains rice or sugar adjuncts that can cause harsher hangovers.
Here is the technical breakdown of the duopoly.
Efes Pilsen: The National Champion
- The Vibe: Traditional, working-class, "Dad beer."
- ABV: 5.0%
- Profile: Crisp, high carbonation, slight metallic bitterness.
Efes Pilsen is the Coca-Cola of Turkish beer. It has 80%+ market share. It is a classic "International Pale Lager."
The "Secret" Ingredients
It is widely known in the local industry that the standard Efes Pilsen (Blue Label) uses rice or sugar adjuncts to lighten the body and reduce costs. This is why it drinks very fast but can leave a chemical aftertaste.
- Best Version: Efes Malt (Yellow/Gold Label). If you must drink Efes, order the Malt. It uses 100% barley malt, has no cheap adjuncts, and tastes significantly better than the standard blue can.
The Legendary "Tombul" Bottle
The brown, stubby bottle (known as "Tombul Şişe") is a cultural icon. Locals swear that Efes tastes better from the Tombul bottle than from a can or tall bottle.
Bomonti: The "Cool" Older Brother
- The Vibe: Urban, young, artistic, "Hipster."
- ABV: 4.8%
- Profile: Cloudy, bready, yeasty, smooth finish.
Bomonti is historically the oldest beer brand in Turkey (established 1890 by Swiss brothers in the Bomonti neighborhood). Today, it is owned by the same company as Efes (Anadolu Group), but it is marketed as the "premium" alternative.
The Game Changer: "Bomonti Filtresiz"
When people say they like Bomonti, they specifically mean Bomonti Filtresiz (Unfiltered).
Bomonti Filtresiz is Turkey's most popular premium lager. Because it is unfiltered, it retains yeast sediments that give it a cloudy appearance and a smoother, creamier texture compared to standard filtered lagers. It is less carbonated and less bitter than Efes.
Head-to-Head Comparison (2025 Specs)
| Feature | Efes Pilsen (Standard) | Bomonti Filtresiz |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol (ABV) | 5.0% | 4.8% |
| Ingredients | Malt + Rice/Sugar | 100% Malt |
| Appearance | Clear Golden | Cloudy / Hazy |
| Bitterness | Medium (Crisp) | Low (Smooth) |
| Best For... | Watching football, eating Kebab | Dates, rooftop bars, conversation |
| Price (Bar) | ~180 TL | ~200 TL |
The Budget Options: Varım and Marmara
If you are at a Tekel (liquor store) and see beers that are suspiciously cheap, you are looking at the "Economy Class."
- Varım: Marketed as a "cheap, easy" beer. It is often lower in calories and sometimes lower in alcohol. It tastes like water. Avoid unless you are broke.
- Marmara Gold: A high-alcohol lager (often 1 liter bottles). This is typically associated with "street drinking." It is harsh and potent.
The Strong Option: Efes Xtra (The "Blue Can")
You will see narrow blue cans called Efes Xtra (7.5% ABV) or Efes Özel Seri (Shot).
- Warning: These are not designed for taste; they are designed for efficiency. They are very sweet and boozy.
