Top 8 Turkish Craft Beer Brands Ranked (2025)
Ten years ago, asking for a "craft beer" in Istanbul would get you a blank stare and a bottle of Efes Dark. Today, the scene has exploded.
While macro-lagers like Efes and Tuborg still dominate 90% of the market, a resilient wave of microbreweries is producing world-class IPAs, Stouts, and Porters.
If you are standing in front of a shelf at a "Tekel" (liquor store) or looking at a menu in Kadıköy, this is your cheat sheet.
What is the best Turkish craft beer brand?
In 2025, the top-rated Turkish craft beer brand is 3 Kafadar, known for its consistency and accessible IPAs. For experimental styles, Gara Guzu is the industry pioneer. For fresh draft beer in Istanbul, Torch Brewery and Knidos are the gold standards.
Here is the definitive ranking of the top 8 brands you will actually find in Istanbul.
1. 3 Kafadar (The Crowd Favorite)
- Origin: Istanbul
- Vibe: Reliable, modern, hop-forward.
- Best For: IPA lovers and first-time craft drinkers.
3 Kafadar (Three Buddies) started as a gypsy brewery and became the most trusted name in the city. They are famous for consistency—you rarely get a bad batch.
- Flagship Beer: Mosaic IPA. It is clean, citrusy, and not aggressively bitter. A perfect gateway IPA.
- Hidden Gem: Gece (Night). A "Turkish Stout" that is surprisingly light but full of coffee and chocolate notes.
- Where to Drink: Their dedicated taproom, Citra Gastropub in Beşiktaş.
2. Gara Guzu (The Pioneer)
- Origin: Muğla (Southwest Turkey)
- Vibe: Rebel, rustic, experimental.
- Best For: Those who want to try something unique (beetroot beer, anyone?).
Gara Guzu (Black Sheep) was the first true microbrewery in Turkey. They are the "punks" of the industry, constantly collaborating with European breweries and using local ingredients like pine honey and hibiscus.
- Flagship Beer: Amber Ale. Malty, caramel-forward, and extremely drinkable.
- Hidden Gem: Gara. An Irish-style Porter that consistently wins blind taste tests against imports.
- Where to Drink: Widely available in bottles at almost every craft bar in Kadıköy (e.g., Ayı Pub).
3. Torch Brewery (The Gastro-Brewery)
- Origin: Bomonti, Istanbul
- Vibe: Upscale, polished, food-friendly.
- Best For: Drinking fresh from the tank.
Torch is the in-house brewery of The Populist, located in the historic Bomonti Beer Factory. Because they serve directly from their tanks, their beer is often the freshest you can find in the city.
- Flagship Beer: Kölsch. Crisp, clean, and dangerously refreshing in Istanbul's summer heat.
- Hidden Gem: Honey Pepper Ale. Brewed with local ginger and honey; spicy and unique.
- Where to Drink: Exclusively at The Populist (Bomonti or Galataport locations).
4. Knidos (The Purist's Choice)
- Origin: Istanbul (Bosphorus Brewing Co.)
- Vibe: Traditional, technical, wide variety.
- Best For: European styles (Lagers, Helles, Saisons).
Knidos is the production brand of the legendary Bosphorus Brewing Company. They focus on mastering traditional styles rather than chasing crazy trends.
- Flagship Beer: Tank 1 Lager. A filtered lager that puts commercial beers to shame.
- Hidden Gem: Tutti Brutti. A "Brut IPA" (champagne yeast) that is bone-dry and aromatic.
- Where to Drink: Bosphorus Brewing Company in Gayrettepe (go for the garden).
5. Dasbira (The Hop Head's Choice)
- Origin: Kırklareli / Edirne
- Vibe: Geeky, dank, bold.
- Best For: People who think regular IPAs are "too watery."
Dasbira is for the nerds. They brew bold, high-ABV beers that don't apologize for their bitterness.
- Flagship Beer: Ey Ay Pi Ey (phonetic for IPA). A West Coast style IPA that hits hard with pine and resin.
- Hidden Gem: Dies'ale. An Amber Ale with a kick.
6. Pablo (The Bodrum Vibe)
- Origin: Bodrum
- Vibe: Sunny, easy-going, beachy.
- Best For: Day drinking.
Born in the holiday town of Bodrum, Pablo beers are designed for hot weather. They are usually lighter in body and lower in bitterness.
- Flagship Beer: Pablo Pilsner. A dry-hopped pilsner that is a significant upgrade from Efes.
- Where to Drink: Very common in liquor stores (Tekels) throughout Istanbul.
7. Feliz Kulpa (The Rising Star)
- Origin: İzmir
- Vibe: Artisan, flavorful, balanced.
- Best For: Smooth Ales.
A newer favorite from İzmir that has gained serious traction in Istanbul. Their branding is quirky, and their brewing is precise.
- Flagship Beer: Smyrna Ale. A reddish amber ale that balances malt sweetness with hop bitterness perfectly.
8. Zıkkımm (The "Entry Level")
- Origin: Contract Brewed (Park Gıda)
- Vibe: Edgy branding, budget-friendly.
- Best For: When you want craft vibes without the high price tag.
Note: Beer snobs might roll their eyes, but Zıkkımm is important. It bridges the gap between macro and craft. It is cheaper than the others on this list but offers more flavor than a standard lager.
- Flagship Beer: Weiss. A solid wheat beer that mimics the German style well.
