Kibbutz Be'eri Launches Lager Beer From Its Own Barley Fields Ahead of Planned Whiskey

About a year ago, Haim Yelin, a former Knesset member and head of the Eshkol Regional Council, shared his vision of producing whiskey from barley grown in Kibbutz Be'eri. While the whiskey is still in development, the team behind Single Be'eri has launched a bright lager beer made entirely from barley harvested in the kibbutz fields. The beer is currently brewed at Beer Bazaar in Kfar Daniel but uses 100% Israeli barley from Be'eri, with the 2025 harvest serving as its base.

Yelin, 66, emphasized the symbolic significance of the beer, calling it a realization of a Zionist vision. He noted that the barley fields were once battle zones during the October 7 events, and now they produce a product that connects people to the land. "Asking for Be'eri beer in a Tel Aviv pub is a form of Zionism," he said. The barley used for the beer will also be used in whiskey barrels that will mature over the next two years, with plans to produce both beer and whiskey annually.

The project partners include Milk & Honey Distillery, with key figures such as master distiller Tomer Goren and marketing VP Tal Chutiner. They opted to produce beer first to bring a product to market sooner rather than waiting three years for whiskey. Chutiner explained that importing barley is cheaper, so the initiative is driven mainly by emotional and symbolic reasons, with profits intended to support memorial initiatives.

The team plans to build a local malting and distilling facility in the Gaza border area, aiming to create an industry of hope and renewal. The barley harvest this year is expected to reach 250 tons, enough to supply both beer and whiskey production. The beer, branded Single Beeri, is available at various locations across Israel, including pubs and specialty stores in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and other cities, priced at 15-16 shekels per can. An initial batch of 6,000 cans has been produced, with hopes to expand if successful.

This initiative reflects a broader effort to revive and sustain the community and economy of Be'eri, turning a site of past conflict into one of growth and cultural pride through agriculture and craft beverage production.