The "Tekel" Guide: Buying Craft Beer for Home (2025)
If you walk into a major supermarket in Istanbul (like Migros or Carrefour), you will likely find a wall of Efes, Tuborg, and maybe a lonely shelf of imported Heineken.
To find the good stuff—the Gara Guzu stouts, the fresh 3 Kafadar IPAs—you need to enter the Tekel.
For a foreigner, these small, neon-lit shops can be intimidating. They look like kiosks, but they are the backbone of Istanbul's alcohol ecosystem. Here is how to navigate them like a local.
What is a "Tekel" Shop?
A "Tekel" is a privately owned convenience store in Turkey licensed to sell alcohol and tobacco. Unlike supermarkets, many specialized Tekels curate extensive selections of local craft beers and hard-to-find spirits. They are identified by their distinct yellow and blue signage, often simply reading "TEKEL" or "TABACCO SHOP."
Historically, "Tekel" referred to the state monopoly on alcohol/tobacco. The monopoly is gone, but the name stuck.
The Most Important Rule: The 10 PM Curfew
Before you plan your night, you must understand Article 24.
In Turkey, the retail sale of alcohol is legally prohibited after 10:00 PM (22:00). This law is strictly enforced for chain supermarkets. However, many small neighborhood Tekel shops may still sell discreetly after hours, though they risk heavy fines.
The Strategy: Do not gamble. If you want craft beer for a house party or a night in, buy it before 9:55 PM. Supermarket registers will automatically lock you out at 22:00 sharp.
The "Gold Tier" Tekels: Where to Find Craft Beer
Not all Tekels are created equal. 90% of them only sell macro-lagers. To find the craft brands we ranked in our previous guides, you need to go to these specific "Gourmet Tekels."
1. Rind (Kadıköy - Asian Side)
- The Holy Grail. As mentioned in our "Craft Loop" guide, Rind is arguably the best bottle shop in the city.
- Selection: They stock almost every Turkish microbrewery, plus Belgian Trappists and German Wheat beers.
- Vibe: It feels like a library, but for beer.
2. Bewolf (Galata/Karaköy - European Side)
- The Tourist Savior. Located near the Galata Tower, this shop is surprisingly well-stocked.
- Selection: Excellent range of Gara Guzu and Pablo.
- Vibe: Friendly staff who often speak English and can make recommendations.
3. The "Signage" Hack
If you are not near Rind or Bewolf, how do you know if a Tekel has good beer?
- Look at the Window: Do not look for the Efes sign. Look for stickers from Gara Guzu, Frederik, or Knidos.
- Look at the Fridge: If the fridge is exclusively filled with blue (Efes) and gold (Tuborg) cans, walk away. You want to see "brown bottles" or colorful can art.
Tekel Survival Vocabulary
You don't need fluent Turkish, but these three words will earn you respect:
| Turkish Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Buz gibi olsun" | Booz gee-bee ol-soon | "Let it be ice cold" | Asking for the coldest beer in the fridge. |
| "Depozito" | De-poz-ee-to | Deposit | Glass bottles have a refundable cost (approx 2-5 TL). |
| "Poşet" | Po-shet | Bag | "Poşet ister misiniz?" (Do you want a bag?) |
Understanding the "Deposit" (Depozito)
You will notice your receipt is often slightly higher than the shelf price.
- The System: Most 50cl glass bottles (Efes, Tuborg, Bomonti) carry a deposit fee.
- The Return: You can bring empty bottles back to any Tekel (not just the one you bought from). They will deduct the deposit amount from your next purchase.
- Note: Most craft beer bottles (non-standard shapes) do not have a deposit.
