Small breweries in the valleys, major brands in the cities, flavored lagers and classic pale beers—the Albanian beer market is now more diverse than ever before. Still, beer in Albania is not among the dominant alcoholic beverages, as wine and raki continue to reign supreme.
Among the most famous Albanian brands is Tirana beer, brewed in the capital and one of the most widely available in the country. Another notable brand is Korça, named after the city of the same name, where the oldest operating brewery in Albania is located. Korça beer is one of the few Albanian beers exported abroad. Other widely available beers include Elbar, Stela, Kaon, and Norga. In recent years, more small craft breweries have emerged, experimenting with a variety of beer styles.
Albanian beer is now widely available. Beer is sold in nearly all restaurants, bars, and shops across the country. You can buy a half-liter bottle in a supermarket for about 100 ALL (1 EUR), while in a restaurant it costs about twice as much.
Local beer is often served with traditional Albanian dishes. It pairs best with foods such as qofte (meat patties), tavë deu (baked beef with cheese), tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt), byrek (stuffed savory pastry), or fërgesë (a mix of peppers, tomatoes, and cheese). It’s also an excellent match for grilled meats, an area in which Albanians truly excel.
Cheers, and drink responsibly!
