Next weekend, 27-28 September 2025, two Cretan breweries will be opening their doors to the public as part of the nationwide “Open Breweries” initiative sponsored for the 6th (non-consecutive) year by the Hellenic Association of Brewers.
The participating breweries – Cretan Breweries-Zidianakis in Heraklion and Cretan Brewery in Chania – will be giving visitors the opportunity to get a close look at the production process, talk to the brewers and try different kinds of beer, even directly from the barrel. During the visits there will be guided tours of the production and bottling areas, guided tastings, and presentation of new and established labels. Entrance and participation in the activity are free, but because of limited space pre-registration is required, with places allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The activity aims to show off the beer culture in Greece and at the same time to promote responsible consumption, the Hellenic Association of Brewers reminding visitors that consumption is restricted to those over 18 years of age.
(Haniotika Nea, 12/09/25)
Contact details
The Cretan Brewery, Chania, is the one which produces the popular local brew, Harma. It is situated in Zounaki, a small village close to Voukolies. Its contact details are:
Cretan Brewery SA
Zounaki, Municipality of Platanias
73002 Chania, Crete
Tel: +30 28240 31002
Email: info@cretanbeer.gr
https://www.cretanbeer.gr/en/cretan-brewery
The brewery is open to the public on Saturday 27th September from 15:00 to 20:00.
Cretan Breweries-Zidianakis SA
Km 3, Provincial Road Karteros – Episkopi, Elia
70008 Heraklion
Tel: +30 28107 81712
Email: info@candiabeer.gr
https://zidianakiscretanbeer.gr
The brewery is open to the public on Saturday 27th September from 15:00 to 18:30.
The Open Breweries initiative
“Open Breweries” is an initiative of the Hellenic Association of Brewers, which has been successfully held for five years: 2018, 2019, 2022 , 2023 and 2024. Open Breweries are held during the last weekend of September each year. The initiative involves many well-known large and small breweries from all over the country, all members of the Hellenic Association of Brewers, offering visitors a comprehensive experience that includes brewery tours, beer tastings and food pairing.
The breweries participating in this year’s event are:
– Athenian Brewery: Athens, Patras, Thessaloniki
– Pineios Brewery: Larissa
– Ikariaki Brewery: Ikaria
– Cretan Breweries-Zidianakis: Heraklion, Crete
– Cretan Brewery: Chania, Crete
– Cyclades Microbrewery on Tinos Island: Tinos
– Microbrewery Local streets beer: Volos
– Mykonos Microbrewery: Mykonos
– Septem Microbrewery: Orologio Avlonariou, Evia
– Olympic Brewery: Ritsona, Evia
– Standard Microbrewery of Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki
– Siris Craft Brewery: Serres
An interactive map on the Hellenic Association of Brewers’ website (https://www.ellinikienosizithopoion.gr/en/open-breweries/) shows the location of each brewery with details of the opening times and conditions.
