Beer in Lebanon

Lore & Background

Beer production and consumption in the Levant dates back to between 5500 and 3900 BCE, and by the Early Bronze Age (c. 3300–2300 BCE) it became common across much of the ancient Near East. Evidence includes a collection of small Iron Age beer jugs from the Bekaa, Sidon, Tell El Ghassil, and Palestine, housed at the Archaeological Museum of the American University of Beirut. The Grande Brasserie du Levant, established by George Gellad in 1931, is Lebanon's oldest brewery, known for its brand Laziza, which was one of the most popular beers in the 1960s and 1970s. Brasserie Almaza SAL, a German-style pilsner founded in 1933 by three families, also became a dominant brand. For generations, Almaza dominated the market, producing an estimated 24 million liters annually, alongside imported brands like Heineken, Corona, Efes, and Budweiser, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s. Craft beer was almost unknown until 2006, when Mazen Hajjar and partners launched 961, a microbrewery, prompting Almaza to introduce Almaza Malt, Almaza Light, and Al Rayess beer.

Reader's Guide

The beer market in Lebanon has grown due to shifting consumer preferences and local factors. In 2025, the market is expected to generate US$90.6 million in total revenue, with at-home sales projected to grow at 1.56% annually through 2029. Almaza's long dominance ended as competition emerged, including Kassatly Chtaura's Beirut Beer and new craft beers. Heineken bought Brasserie Almaza in 2002, but hedge fund manager Philippe Jabre later bought back the majority stake to prevent closure, preserving nearly 200 jobs and increasing exports from 25% to 40% of annual production. Beirut Beer, a commercial pilsner, expanded the market through advertising that encouraged consumers to try new varieties, increasing per capita consumption and leading distributors to import more beer. Craft breweries like Colonel Brewery And Distillery, founded in Batroun by Jamil Haddad, and Elmir Craft Beer, operating since November 2018 and winning 20 international awards by 2026, have further diversified the scene. 961 Beer, founded by Mazen Hajjar, became one of the few Levantine microbreweries exporting worldwide, producing 300,000 cases annually and exporting to 16 countries by 2021.

Did You Know?

• Beer consumption in Lebanon accounts for 34% of total alcohol consumed, according to a 2018 WHO report.
• The oldest brewery in Lebanon, Grande Brasserie du Levant, was founded in 1931 by George Gellad.
• Craft beer was almost unknown in Lebanon until 2006, when 961 Beer was introduced.
• Elmir Craft Beer won a Silver Medal for its Wheat Ale and a Bronze Medal for Aleph at the 2026 World Beer Awards.