Despite the frequent misconception that Turkey is a Muslim nation with strict alcohol laws, alcohol use is actually relatively common in Turkey. Alcohol is forbidden in Islam, but because Turkish culture is more permissive, it’s very simple to find it there. Even Turks have a national alcoholic beverage Rakı that Turkish people like to drink with their fresh fish, mezze, and kebabs.

In various different regions of Turkey, local grapes are used to produce the local wines that Turks love. Especially Cappadocia region is famous for its wine. In the Izmir region, fruit-based wines are popular, like strawberry or raspberry wine.

Large supermarkets, a few malls, and shops with a specific license to sell alcohol are among the places where you can buy alcohol. Tekel Shops are locations with a specific license to sell alcohol. Don’t forget, in Turkey, it is illegal to purchase alcohol if you are younger than 18 years old.

Famous Alcohol Brands in Istanbul

When it is approached about Istanbul and alcohol, three main beverages are mentioned: beer, rakı, and wine.

Beer

Beer, the most consumed alcoholic beverage in Istanbul, stands out with its unique taste and foam. Everybody knows beer. We don’t have anything to add but let us talk about where and how to consume it. Especially in summer, beer is drunk legally on beaches and parks such as Moda and Maçka in Istanbul. Beer brands in Turkey consist of local and national companies. We will tell you about the most consumed alcohol brands.

Beer is the most consumed beverage in Istanbul. While the best beer brand varies from person to person, talking about an accepted average is still possible. We can say that five beer brands are highly preferred in Istanbul. Those beers are Efes Pilsen, Bomonti, Carlsberg, Tuborg, and Beck’s. Sometimes Anadolu Group, which prod...

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