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Fonias Pale Ale, the beer of Samothraki

Fonias Pale Ale, the beer of Samothraki

Samothraki has had its own craft beer since 2016. It is locally produced using water from the island which is considered one of the purest in Greece.
 
The beer's name is Fonias Pale Ale, a tribute to Fonias, the most important river on the island. It flows in the northern part of Samothraki, forming impressive waterfalls. The embossed image of the first waterfall of Fonias is depicted on the front label, while on the back, the name and the type are written in Braille characters.
 
Fonias is also an acronym for:
 
Fire / Oasis / Nature / Idea / Adventure / Samothraki
 
The small company that makes it is called Samothraki Microbrewery. The owner, Thanassis Apostolakos, a beer lover and an Athenian, fell in love with Samothraki and has been visiting it regularly for over 30 years. In 2020 he decided to move permanently, together with his wife and son. "Winters are hard, with cold and snow, but it doesn't matter, I love the island", he told me in one of my many visits to the brewery.

Samothraki Microbrewery is on the outskirts of Kamariotissa where the road to Chora begins.
Samothraki Microbrewery is on the outskirts of Kamariotissa where the road to Chora begins.

Beer tanks
Beer tanks

About Fonias Pale Ale beer

Fonias Pale Ale is a fresh beer, unfiltered and unpasteurized, bittersweet, of the pale ale variety, with 6.2% alcohol content. To fully enjoy its flavor you shouldn't drink it ice cold, but rather at a temperature of 6-7 degrees Celsius (43-45 degrees Fahrenheit).

The bottles should be stored upright to allow the sediments to settle at the bottom.

The New Fonias Beers

The summer of 2020 brought a new type of beer: Fonias Golden Ale, a limited edition with four types of hops and 5.5% alcohol.

Fonias Golden Ale, the beer of 2020
Fonias Golden Ale, the beer of 2020

July 2021 marked the launch of Fonias Summer IPA, a stronger beer with 6.7% alcohol, fruitier and of a lighter color than Fonias Pale Ale.

The latest beer, available in 2022 and 2023 was Fonias India Pale Ale, with 6.7% alcohol and more flavored than the classic one.

Fonias IPA at Café Kalderimi in Chora
Fonias IPA at Café Kalderimi in Chora

How much does it cost?

At the brewery, Fonias Pale Ale costs 2.3 € / 330 ml bottle and Fonias India Pale Ale costs 2.4 € / 330 ml bottle.

If you want to bring a gift from Samothraki to a friend, you can buy a gift box that contains two Pale Ales and an India Pale Ale beer for 10 €.

T-shirts with the logo of the beer are available for 15 €.

Fonias beer is available in the tavernas and bars on the island with prices ranging from 4.5 to 6 € and in supermarkets for 2.45 - 2.6 €.

Gift box and Samothraki Microbrewery t-shirts
Gift box and Samothraki Microbrewery t-shirts

Tip

Pair the beer with graviera from the small cheese factory Papanikolau in Makrylies!

Drink like a local! When you clink the beer glasses say Yia mas!, which means "cheers!" or "to us!" in Greek.

Hop cones: where the magic starts
Hop cones: where the magic starts

Contact Samothraki Microbrewery - Kamariotissa

Samothraki Microbrewery is on the way out of Kamariotissa to the east, before the intersection with the roads that lead to Chora and Lakkoma.

The Samothraki Microbrewery is open in the first part of the day, before noon.

Phone: (+30) 697 930 1248

Location: Google Maps Samothraki Microbrewery

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