Craft beer in Israel with German support

Efraim Mass was a participant of Certified Brewmaster Course at the VLB in 2020. Due to the COVID-19-Pandemic he graduated in July 2021. Back in Israel, he works in the Malka Brewery, which is located in Western Galilee and was founded in 2006 by Asaaf Lavi. Michaela Knör, Head of Axel Simon Library at VLB, talked with Efraim Mass about his motivation to join the VLB Brewmaster Course and the development of the craft beer industry in Israel.

Beers from Malka Brewery in Israel Efraim Mass was a participant of last year's Certified Brewmaster Course of VLB, which ran directly into the COVID-19-Pandemic. As a consequence, he completed his education in Germany one year later, when he finished the practical section and exams with the Brewmaster Course 2021. Efraim has been working in the Malka Brewery, which is located at Western Galilee and was founded in 2006 by Asaaf Lavi. In 2018, the brewery moved from Kibbutz Yehaim, where Malka had brewed since 2008, to a world-class stateof-the-art brewing site in the Tefen Industrial area located in the north of Israel. Malka Brewery offers also tours in its visitor’s center and opened a tasting room close to the brewery. At the former production site in Yehaim, the brewery still operates a beer garden where beer lovers can enjoy Malka beers in a calm atmosphere with spectacular views. The first time beer excited me was in a seminar I attended in the last year of my BSc degree course in Food Science. The course gave just a little taste of the brewing world, but it was the spark that ignited my passion for beer and brewing. I remember thinking about this kind of wonder that occurs by only mixing four ingredients. It is a classic example for “the whole is larger than the sum of its parts”!

Visitor Center of the new Malka Brewery  How did you get in touch with

beer and why did you decide to become a brewer?

 How would you describe the

beer market and preferences of beer drinkers in Israel?

The beer market in Israel is not big but quite diverse. We have sharp and creative minds here and I think that we are on the edge of the craft beer's hour of glory. Beer taste in Israel has been and still is developing quite rapidly. We catch-up with the rest of the world tastewise, especially with the USA. IPA's are hip now, people search for it everywhere. I personally expect, that the next stage will be very clean, old-school beer styles…

 What are the big breweries of-

fering and what where the styles of the first craft beers?

The large brewers mainly produce good old Lager beers. The first beers offered by craft breweries where Pale Ale, Blonde Ale, Wheat Beer and Stout.

 Historically, until

the '90s only very few breweries were producing in Israel. When did craft beer enter the market? What are the most popular brands today? Who is drinking craft beer in Israel?

The first craft beer brands entered the market in the mid '90s. Well known brands are Malka, Negev, Shapiro, Beer Bazar, Alexander, Jems, but there are many more! Today, craft beer is much more common in bars and pubs. During the last two years, we also see more and more craft brands on the supermarket shelves, right next to the big national and international beer brands. And concerning the beer prices – if I could only get a dime for every time I've been asked this question: Compared to other craft beer markets around the world, the price in Israel is in the medium range. Our craft beers are usually more expensive than the mainstream brands, of course – but you pay for totally different products. So in my opinion, it's difficult to compare these two categories. The Israeli craft beer drinkers are mostly middle aged men as well as women in their 30s to 40s.

 What about the legal situation

for home and micro brewing in Israel? Does religion play a role? Do breweries produce kosher beer?

Home brewing in Israel is totally legal, as long as you don’t sell your beer. There is also no limit concerning the total volume a homebrewer is allowed to brew for his own purposes. This lively scene is constantly growing. Religion is very diverse in Israel, but only the ultra-orthodox have some restrictions regarding alcohol consumption. Regarding kosher beer – yes, this is very popular. Most breweries are kosher and there is a big market demand for kosher beers.

 What is the main type of packaging beer in Israel: bottle, cans or kegs? Are there returnable bottles? What was the impact

Photos: Malka Brewery (3)

VLB Certified Brewmaster Efraim Mass with his son Alon in the fermentation hall of the Malka Brewery in Tefen, Israel

of the pandemic on the craft beer scene?

The major packaging for beer here in Israel are kegs followed by glass bottles. The bottles are mainly nonreturnable simply due to the fact that there is no collecting system for the returnables. Cans are currently not so common but I have a feeling that this is changing. Craft beer is getting more and more common. However, unfortunately many craft breweries did not survive the pandemic. Those who did conducted mostly contract brewing in bigger breweries. So they were able to support each other during this difficult time.

 Some questions about your car-

reer: In which Breweries did or do you work? What is your favorite beer style?

I work at the Malka Brewery, which is currently the biggest craft brewery in Israel. We have a 40 hl fully automated brewing system and we are capable to ferment roughly 1400 hl per year. My favorite types of beer are Stout and Porter. I'm a true fan of chocolate, coffee, and deep-burnt flavor. To be more specific, currently I'm searching for a good Baltic Porter.

 When you came to Berlin in Ger-

many what was most striking for you concerning beer?

It was new for me to see how “clean” theGermansprefertheirbeer.While I was in Berlin, I've noticed that the bestselling styles are Pilsner and Helles. When you brew these types of beer, you have very little margins for errors. The beer must be spot on, with minimum background flavors.

 Why did you decide to come to

VLB and what was your experience concerning the course during the pandemic? Did you prefer online or on-site courses?

I decided to come to VLB after I did a long research where to go. Beside the worldwide known Brewmaster program of VLB, for me, the thing that turned the scale was the intensive practical part of this education. I'm a very practical person, so it was clear to me that VLB will be my first choice. My journey to Berlin started prior to the COVID-19-pandemic back in January 2020, when things looked differently. Then my course was cut-off in the middle as the pandemic forced this and I had to return to Israel. But VLB was reacting quickly to this situation by offering an online option for the participants. So I was able to finish the rest of the theoretical part online. In 2021, I took the opportunity to return to Berlin for completing the course with its practical parts and passed the final examination. If I sum up the pros and cons, I really think that a hybrid version combining online and on-site training was the best for me.

 What are the main benefits of

the VLB Certtified Brewmaster Course in your opinion?

Well, firstly, Germany. It's needless to elaborate about the roots of beer and brewing when you talk about Germany. Here you can learn and experience a well established history of beer and brewing while you study the art of brewing. Secondly, as I already mentioned, the practicals are the pillar when you talk about VLB courses. In addition, this course gives you the possibility to meet brewers from all over the world. I was very lucky to get in touch with wonderful classmates. Some of them truly are part of my heart as friends and colleagues by now. And last but not least, Berlin and all its shades. An amazing city to live in, even for a county-side man like me.

 Back in Israel, how do you bene-

fit from your brewing knowledge?

After the graduation I went back to Malka Brewery – this is my second home. With the knowledge I Efraim Mass sharing a beer with Michaela Knör celebrating the successful graduation as VLB Certified Brewmaster in July 2021

earned at VLB, I can fine-tune our beers. Our aim is to brew the best and inspiring beers possible. And of course, create new and exciting craft beers here in Israel! Interview by Michaela Knör

Photo: ew.