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A Boozer's Guide to Cairo (and Egypt)By Seif Kamel
Think you can't just walk into the local liquor store to refresh the mini bar in your hotel in Cairo? Think again. Alcoholic beverages, specifically beer and wine, were a staple of the ancient Egyptian diet (though perhaps beer far more than wine). It is said that beer was introduced to the Egyptians by the god Osiris. Some concoctions were, those served to royalty and high officials, were very sophisticated, while the masses mostly drank relatively crude beer. We really do not know if alcohol has been available throughout Egypt's complete history, though in some form it probably has, even during the deepest period of archaic Islamic rule.
During the earlier Christian Period, alcoholic production is certainly evident even in monasteries, were we find a number of wine presses, and certainly after the French invasion, and thereafter into modern times, it has been present.
Perhaps surprisingly, for a Islamic nation, there is considerable production of alcoholic beverages in Egypt these days. Al Ahram Beverages Company has been producing a lot of fine beer, wine, and spirits and these products are even being exported to many European countries.
The real value of Egyptian alcoholic beverages to tourists is that they are much less expensive than imported beverages. Most hotels, and particularly the larger ones, carry a fairly extensive selection of foreign beer, wine and spirits, though certainly not what one might expect in a European or American location. Nevertheless, many of the better known European brands will be stocked but, for example, there will be a vary limited variety of American bourbons, wines and beer. The solution to this is simple. If you are really attached to a specific brand, bring it with you.
Note that this is not really an entertainment guide. Alcoholic beverages, both domestic and imported, may be purchased in many, many hotel and independent bars, pubs, discos and restaurants throughout Egypt.
The products Beer
Today, there are some brands of beer that have been produced in Egypt for at least 100 years. Today strict laws are put on the production of Egyptian beer by the government. There are those who believe Egyptian beer to be one of the best in the world, because of the fine raw material available for its production in Egypt.
Stella is the most famous brand of beer in Egypt. It has been manufactured in Egypt since the 19th century and so many Egyptian, and actually many experienced travelers, prefer it to any other kind of beer. One will not find a single bar in Egypt that doesn’t sell Stella or even have the Stella logo on the bar or shop. Stella can even be found in many bars in Europe
The second kind of Stella is Stella export which was added to the production line of Stella. It is a smooth and refreshing beer that has a bit more alcohol, as well as a little higher price tag.
Alcohol content: 5.2 %
Sakara
Sakara is the newest brand of beer in the Egyptian market. It's claim to fame is that it is produced using the best technologies from around the world. Although Sakara is a relatively new brank, it has a good share of the Egyptian market nowadays.
Meister is a European brand, but the beers is licensed for, and produced in Egypt. However, it has the European quality and taste. It attracted many drinkers because of this, and its alcohol content which is higher than many of the other beers. It comes in two varieties, the first of which is Meister regular which is a good traditional strong beer with strong flavor. Alcohol content: 5.2 %
The second type is Meister Max which is the strongest beer in Egypt, even though it has a very smooth flavor Alcohol content: 8 %
Omar Khayyam
This wine was named for a great mathematician and philosopher who loved poetry and women. It is a deep dry wine made from cabernet sauvignon and suitable for beef or pasta meals. The bottle should be presented at room temperature.
Alcohol content: 12.5 %
Cru des Ptolmees
Alcohol content: 12.5 % The price of the bottle of Rubis D' Egypte wine is about 50 pounds with discounts when buying in quantity.
Rubis D' Egypte
This wine has a pretty medium rose color in the glass, this wine has a nose of apples and damp wool. In the mouth it has good acidity with some crabapple flavors mixed with strong alcohol and acetone flavors that careen towards a burning finish.. It is best served cold with Chicken or light salads. Alcohol content: 12.5 % The price of the bottle of Rubis D' Egypte wine is about 50 pounds with discounts when buying in quantity.
Abarka
The prices of Giancils types range from 30 to 35 pounds with discounts when buying large amounts. Again, prices may be considerably higher at tourists hotels. Other types of Giancils style wine include:
Chateau des Reves wine
This is Giancils' premium wine. It is made from a variety of imported grapes from Lebanon. This is a well balanced premium wine. The wine has a medium ruby color in the glass, with a nose of dried cherries and rum. In the mouth it has an undistinguished mouthfeel and watery flavors of stewed plums and figs that actually carries through to a moderate finish. It is one of Egypt's richest and most elegant wine. In fact, a number of foreign specialists also rank this as the best wine in Egypt.
Alcohol content: 13 %
Obelisk
Obelisk is another type of wine in Egypt, considered by many to be one of the best. Many Egyptians who enjoy wine consider it to be a work of art in itself. Unfortunately not all foreigner agree with this Egyptian sentiment. The whole production of Obelisk is supervised by a Lebanese oenologist.
White Obelisk
This wine is a light golden color in the glass with hints of straw, and very light aromas of minerals and parchment.
In the mouth it has some fruit (gooseberry?) flavors which are quickly eclipsed with sharp flavors
Red Grand Marcus white wine
This is an elegant wine and with a firm and pleasing taste. Red Grand Marcus rose wine The Red Grand Marcus rose wine is a fine blind of selected grapes when buying larger amounts Spirits UDG or the United Distillery Group is a subsidiary of Al Ahram Beverages Company and is considered one of the top companies that produce spirit drinks in Egypt. The company has investmented 80 million pounds in facilities, and has the supervision of Master Distillers in Canada. Their fine quality spirit drinks can be found all over the Egyptian market.
It is a new ready to drink spirit with the excitement of carbonation. It is basically what Americans would call a wine cooler. This drink is very refreshing and is suitable for all kinds of drinkers and various atmospheres. It comes with three great flavors: Pina Colada, Margarita, and Arak Ice.
Edge
vodka base with a refreshing taste. It is available in three great flavors:, Cranberry, Lime, and Water Melon The price of an Edge bottle is 6 pounds with discounts when buying in quantity. ID Vodka
Auld Stag
Where to buy Alcohol
There are mainly three companies that operate liquor stores in Cairo, plus a number of smaller stores One of the main liquor stores is known as Drinkies. It is the official stores of Al Ahram beverages and sells all of their products. They sell other items as well, like the famous Heineken beer, for instance. They also sell non alcoholic beverages like Birel, the non alcoholic beer, and Fairuz, the most famous non alcoholic beer in Egypt. Drinkies deliver drinks to everywhere in Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and the north coast in the summer. They have branches all over Egypt:
If one want a beer or a bottle of wine at any time, Maison Thomas is the place to go to. This outlet sells all kinds of beers and wines and it is open 24 hours per day. Thomas has been in Egypt since 1922. They are also one of the few places that sell many kinds of pork, including Ham, Bacon, Mortadella, Salami, and others. They are also famous for their pizzas and deserts Zamalek: 157 26 of July St. 7357057
El Gouna: Abu Tig, Marina
The only place one can buy legal imported alcohol in Egypt is the Egypt Free shops. Cairo and Luxor airports have Free shops, as well as some others. A visitor can buy up to 3 liters of Alcohol and a case of beer, together with up to 200 cigarettes. One can buy these items upon arrival or within 24 hours from the free shops outside the airports. There are free shops in Mohandeseen at the end of Game't Al Dowal Street, in the Semiramis hotel in Cairo and in the Gezira Sheraton in on Zamalek.
There are also free shops down town in Hurghada and Luxor. The prices in the free shops tend to be close to the same as the price one might find at home. One must have a passport to make purchases in the free shops. Of course, one can also legally buy an imported bottle of alcohol from most of the hotel bars all over Egypt, but the prices will be extremely high.
Finally, one can buy alcohol from many little stores spread all around Egypt. There isn’t neighborhood without a beverage store. These stores have all kinds of varieties from the Ahram products to others with the same prices. In Maadi, there is Masoud and Gomaa in the middle of 9 Street. In Mohandeseen, there is New Star in Tahrir Street. In Heliopolis there is the El Shamaa store in Al Ahram Street. Downtown, there is Simon Café and store on 26 of July Street near Boulak. These are only a few examples, because there are so many of these stores around Cairo and Egypt. These places sell groceries and other items in addition to alcohol. In the end, one is allowed to bring in up to four liters of alcoholic beverages into Egypt, and if one has a certain preferred brand of foreign liquor, this is probably the most economical way to have a drink while in Egypt. Also, keep in mind that Egypt Air does not serve alcohol, but allows passengers to bring their own, so stock up before leaving for Egypt. But do enjoy some of the local drinks. The beer, in particular, is well liked by most, and wine is growing in popularity.
Al Shamaa Store selling more than just alcoholic beverages
Last Updated: June 8th, 2011 |
