The Beer
Iraq · Group ICrisp Iraqi malt beverage with subtle sweetness. Iraq's most iconic beer: a pale, grainy 5% lager from Baghdad — clean and lightly sweet — whose name means ‘unique’.
The Brewer's Tale
HeritageThe Brewery
Farida was first brewed in 1956 by the Eastern Brewery Company in the Zaafaraniya district of Baghdad, founded by Khadhuri Khadhuri.
For decades it was Iraq's number-one beer, peaking at some 30 million bottles a year in the 1980s.
The Pour
A pale Iraqi lager: bright gold, grainy malt with a subtle sweetness and a crisp, clean finish — traditionally sold ‘always in bottles, never in cans’.
The Name ‘Unique’
‘Farida’ means ‘unique’ — reportedly named for Princess Farida of Egypt. Despite a turbulent century, it endures as a symbol of Baghdad.
At The Table
With Iraqi grills: masgouf (grilled river fish), kebabs and rice, and plenty of fresh bread.