The Judges Experiences 2025 was the third year of this parallel organization of Greek Beer Awards, including excursions, tastings and pairings for the judges.
2026 Judges Experiences will be announced in March
Interesting places that judges visited in 2026
Meeting breweries, wineries, distilleries and hospitality businesses such as bars, pubs, restaurants and traditional taverna.
The Judges Experiences of the Greek Beer Awards started in 2023 and promote beer-tourism, wine-tourism and gastro-tourism of Greece. Exotic flavors, techniques tracing back to the tradition, cozy places and many undiscovered gems are included in each year’s Judges Experiences.
The Judges Experiences are organized with the support of Beer & Bar Magazine.
The Skinos Visitor Center, located in the historic Metaxa distillery, offers a captivating two-hour journey into the world of Mastiha—an ancient ingredient with deep cultural and medicinal significance. Guests are immersed in the rich history of Mastiha, tracing its role from antiquity to modern international markets. They explore its unique cultivation on Chios Island, its therapeutic properties, and its transformation into world-class spirits. The experience includes an in-depth look at the production of Skinos Mastiha Spirit, Skinos Dark, Votanikon Gin, and Otto’s Athens Vermouth, revealing the craftsmanship behind each bottle. Visitors engage their senses through guided tastings, discovering the complexity and versatility of these spirits. A perfect blend of tradition and innovation, the Skinos Visitor Center is an essential experience for spirit enthusiasts, offering a deeper appreciation of Greek heritage and the artistry behind one of Greece’s most iconic flavors.
The Association of Wines of Central Greece (short in Greek: ENOAKE) was founded in April 2008, by 24 wine producers who were active in Central Greece and who joined forces with the aim of promoting the wine-producing power of the vineyards of Central Greece, one of the most historic wine-producing regions of Greece.
Central Greece is one of the most fascinating wine producing regions of Greece, if not of the entire world of wine. It has complex topography and soils, with this complexity clearly depicted in the plethora of wine styles produced here.
A visit to Tzivani Bio Wines winery, tour at their Wine Museum and tasting with 10 selected wines of the ENOAKE members are planned. The wineries participating at the tasting are: Akriotou Microwinery, Avantis Estate, Domaine Hatzimichalis, Lykos Winery, Muses Estate, Paliatsas Winery, Skoumpris Winery, Thivaiki Gi, Tzivani Bio Wines, and Vriniotis Winery.
Elixi Microbrewery, nestled in Drosia, Chalkida, has been shaping its own path in the Greek craft beer scene since 2012. In 2023, the brewery entered a new era under the ownership of the Panagiotou brothers, pioneers in the industry and founders of Septem Microbrewery—one of Greece’s first and most renowned craft breweries. With their expertise and passion, they embraced Elixi’s journey, continuing their innovative brewing approach across both Evia-based breweries.
At Elixi Microbrewery, we take pride in crafting beers that reflect both tradition and innovation, and we look forward to sharing our passion with you.
A quick presentation of the brewery and beer and seafood pairing (beers from Elixi and Septem) are planned.
Combining architectural integrity and love for wine history, the Wine Museum is “the gem” of Markou family venues that offers a good chance to explore a piece of wine history with an interesting retrospection of previous centuries-old wine culture. Walk through rare wine culture exhibits from 1908. Markou Vineyards winery develops the production of 100 acres of “Mesogean” vineyard and 100 acres of proprietary vineyard, in Nemea Peloponnese. The varieties of grapes grown in the vineyards are Sabatian (native of Attica), Agiorgitiko (native of Nemea), Assyrtiko, Rhoditis, Athiri, Moschofilero, Moschato, Malagousia, French Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and the Italian Trebbiano.
Greece is known for its antiquities. Athens the capital, is the place where democracy was born, and the eternal Acropolis is located. In the region of Attica, cities and cultural monuments, breweries, wineries, distilleries, pubs, bars, restaurants are available to visit.
The Judges Experiences promote Greek beers, wines, drinks and gastronomy. The alternative ways of tourism like beer-tourism and wine-tourism are our main forms we introduce to our judges.
As Greece is full of places to visit, short excursions are always welcomed, like the region of Central Greece, to meet winemakers and brewers.