Neither good nor evil. The heroine of the new “Nymfi” lager beer from Thessaloniki flirts unapologetically with local symbolism. There are legends here; you do not know them, exactly, but you can feel them in its full-bodied flavor, its floral aroma, in the mild bitterness of its 5 hops. It is both familiar and unexpected, so much so that each time you are drawn to rediscover it – just like the city of Thessaloniki.

The new beer from Athenian Brewery, with a distinctive microbrewery attitude, aims to satisfy a discerning market segment that looks for quality and local character. 

The legend of the mermaid called Thessaloniki is one of the city’s better-known and beloved myths – and the mermaid herself is a local emblem. The half-sister of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki was transformed into a mermaid when she accidentally threw out the “immortal water” that her brother had acquired at great personal peril, in order to secure his immortality. Since then, she roams the seas and questions seamen about her brother’s fate.

With three strange-looking fingers, the eerie yet enchanting mermaid dominates the visual identity of the new brand, just as she dominated the waters of Thermaikos bay. Her floating hair, fanned out around her head, lends shape to the bottle’s label; the small indentation at the top makes the label itself resemble a mermaid’s tail.

The fish scales on the tail become a significant brand element, appearing on various iterations on the packaging. The detailed illustration, exceptional attention to production techniques for the label, and use of gold foil printing and distinctive cutouts, all work together to lend the new beer a character defined by experience and craftsmanship.

Clearly, the local connection worked. The Thessaloniki public was the first to adopt the new beer quite enthusiastically, appreciating its interesting backstory, creative design, and enjoyable flavor.

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