Palestinian Craft Beer Reaches UK Stores Amid War and Border Hurdles

A Palestinian beer from the West Bank has reached store shelves in Britain this week, overcoming significant obstacles including strict border checks, a journey of about 2,500 miles, and the ongoing war in the region. The beer’s arrival is the result of a partnership between Taybeh Brewing Co., based in the Christian village of Taybeh, and Brewgooder, a Scottish brewery known for its charitable initiatives.

Taybeh Brewing Co. was founded 34 years ago by Nadim Khoury and his brother David. Today, Nadim’s daughter, Madees Khoury, serves as brewmaster. The company operates in a region where most of the population is Muslim and alcohol consumption is limited for religious reasons. The brewery has also faced decades of conflict, water shortages, and violence from Israeli settlers. Despite these challenges, Taybeh has continued to produce beer and export it to 17 countries.

The situation worsened after October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, leading to a war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and increased Israeli military operations in the West Bank. The local economy has suffered as bars, restaurants, and hotels have closed and unemployment has risen. Festivals have been canceled and demand for luxury products like craft beer has dropped sharply.

Exporting beer from the West Bank involves passing through Israeli-controlled borders. Since the start of the war, security measures have become even stricter. Shipments that once took three days to reach port now face unpredictable delays, extra paperwork, and additional security checks. Sometimes scanning machines are down and manual inspections are required. On one occasion, a security dog urinated on cases of beer destined for customers in Jerusalem.

James Hughes, co-founder of Brewgooder in Glasgow, learned about Taybeh’s difficulties through a news article and reached out to offer support. Together with Madees Khoury, they developed a new beer called Sun & Stone—a Mediterranean-style lager brewed with Bavarian hops and British malt. They produced 180,000 cans for sale in the United Kingdom.

The beer will be sold at Co-op supermarkets across Britain starting this week. Both Brewgooder and Co-op have agreed to take no profit from sales. Instead, proceeds will go to Taybeh Brewing Co., which will distribute funds to local charities and the Disasters Emergency Committee to support communities affected by conflict in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Nadim Khoury often jokes that overcoming so many obstacles is what makes Taybeh’s beer unique. He lists cultural resistance to alcohol, occupation, checkpoints, closures, shortages of water and electricity among the many challenges his company faces daily.

For Brewgooder’s James Hughes, this collaboration is different from typical brewery partnerships that focus on creativity or fun. He describes it as an act rooted in humanity and compassion during a time of crisis.

Despite all odds—political turmoil, logistical headaches, and economic hardship—Taybeh Brewing Co.’s beer is now available to British consumers. The project not only brings Palestinian craft beer to new markets but also provides financial support for those affected by ongoing conflict in the region.