The family brewery, established in 2014 by the couple Ohad and Hadas Katz, is located in the Tzukim community settlement in the Central Arava, situated about 120 km north of Eilat along the historic ‘Perfume Road,’ a prominent trade route in ancient times. Consequently, the beer produced here is named “Katsra” after a stream on the Perfume Road. This pioneering brewery, one of the earliest boutique breweries in Israel and the first craft brewery in the Arava region, produces three types of fresh beer—blonde, amber, and dark. Additionally, they create seasonal beers like IPA, dark wheat beer, and Real Ale in special limited editions.

Bira Arava. photo: Noam Prisman

The brewery welcomes visitors on weekdays by appointment. Ohad and Hadas are delighted to provide a tour of their workshop, introduce visitors to the raw ingredients of their beers (well-water rich in minerals with a flavor profile unique to the region, malt, hops, and yeast), explain the brewing process, and offer tastings of their diverse beer selection. For those interested in a meal, pop to the nearby delicatessen (on Route-90) or Ursula Restaurant (situated in the culinary complex at the entrance Tzukim)- both worthwhile stops.

“As a baker, I have a real appreciation for beer,” comments Yuval Ziv. “Similar to bread, beer is crafted from the same three ingredients: grain, water, and yeast. Freshness is crucial in beer, as in other food and drinks, and at Arava Brewery, you can experience truly fresh beer, enhancing its flavor. There’s something about beer that suits the climate in Israel very well, and sipping it at the brewery itself imparts the genuine feeling of being at an oasis.”