2026 Turkish Craft Beer Guide: Rising Breweries and Brands You Must Try
The data is in for the 2025 brewing year, and the verdict is clear: Turkish craft beer has graduated from "local curiosity" to "international contender." New players in the beer scene are no longer just replicating standard IPAs; they are winning Gold Medals in Europe and executing high-level collaborations with global spirits giants.
While the "Ef-Tub" duopoly (Efes/Tuborg) still dominates your neighborhood Tekel, the "High-Performance" microbreweries are already defining the palate for 2026. Here are the 5 producers you must keep on your radar this year.
Top 5 Turkish Micro/Craft Breweries to Watch in 2026
Based on 2025 performance data and international awards, the top 5 Turkish craft beer producers are:
- DAS Bira: The new heavyweight, winning the 2025 European Beer Challenge Gold Medal for their Barleywine style.
- 3 Kafadar: Possesses two super flavors like Stardust NEIPA and Aşna Vişne. They are one of the shining stars of Turkey's craft beer market in recent years.
- Torch Brewery: The innovator of the year with Tokyo Zen (Rice & Green Tea Lager).
- Gara Guzu: Executed a massive, innovative, and international collaboration with Jameson (Brewery Edition). Although slightly quiet since then, we are confident they will return with innovative products this year.
- Feliz Kulpa: Izmir's first craft beer producer, creating local terroir beers like Queen Smyrna.
1. DAS Bira
Based in Lüleburgaz, DAS Bira was the undisputed star of 2025. Moving beyond their cult-classic "Ey Ay Pi Ey" (which won the 2025 Untappd Community Award), they proved their technical mastery in Europe. They won the Gold Medal at the European Beer Challenge with their Barleywine style, "Old Queen Barling."
- Why Watch: They are the only local producer successfully competing in high-alcohol and complex categories (like Barleywine).
2. 3 Kafadar
3 Kafadar has been one of Turkey's biggest craft beer players for years. For 2026, they have steered their route toward the NEIPA (New England IPA) style with their hit beer "Stardust." Although receiving mixed signals from early adopters of this beer, they are definitely a producer to watch in 2026.
- Why Watch: Their collaboration with Primitif Birahane, "Aşna Vişne" (Sour Ale), successfully endeared the sour beer profile to the mainstream consumer.
3. Torch Brewery
While others stick to the German Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot), Torch (within The Populist) experiments with radical ingredients. "Tokyo Zen Lager" uses rice and green tea to create a super-dry and aromatic profile that pairs perfectly with Asian cuisine.
- Why Watch: They are leaders in "Gastronomic Beer"; producing beers specifically designed for food pairing.
4. Gara Guzu
Muğla's Gara Guzu continues to be the most prestigious brand internationally. Their massive achievement in 2025 was the "Jameson Gara Guzu Brewery Edition" project, where they shipped 4C IPA kegs to Ireland to age Jameson whiskey.
- Why Watch: They continue to win abroad; they took home a Gold Medal at the Greek Beer Awards with "Mayhoş" (Saison).
5. Feliz Kulpa
Carrying the relaxed vibe of İzmir to the chaos of Istanbul, Feliz Kulpa focuses on local ingredients. Unlike high-bitterness (IBU) IPAs, they pursue balance and local botanicals.
- Why Watch: Their wheat beer made with local herbs, Queen Smyrna Anatolian Wit, and Smyrn'Ale have received positive reviews from consumers.
What are the Istanbul Craft Beer Trends for 2026?
The dominant trends for 2026 are "Hybrid Fermentation" and "High-ABV Sippers."
- Hybrids: As seen in Torch's Green Tea Lager and Gara Guzu's Whiskey Barrel projects, the lines between beer and other spirits are blurring.
- Barleywines: Validated by DAS Bira's European victory, expect high-alcohol, full-bodied beers suitable for winter months to increase.
- Local Sours: The success of Aşna Vişne proved that the Turkish palate is ready for tart, fruit-focused ales made using local Sour Cherry (Vişne).
Best Craft Beer Venues & Taprooms (2026 Edition)
To experience these brands on fresh draft (fıçı), the best verified venues are:
- Trokya Craft Beer Taproom (Edirne): A regional hub worth visiting for Live Jazz nights and the full Trokya series (Mars, Dakka).
- The Populist (Bomonti): The only address for Torch Brewery's experimental batches.
- Primitif Birahane: The birthplace of collaborations like "Aşna Vişne" and "Primitif Red IPA."
- Sanayi 1-A (Maslak): The unofficial showroom for Knidos (including the new Nectaron IPA) and other industrial producers.
