Andalusia, the Mecca of Spanish beer. Here great beers are being produced by small local breweries and award-winning, world-famous breweries with a great history in stunning locations. Follow us through our journey in the world of Andalusian beers.
Andalusian is an autonomous community, located in the south of the Iberian peninsula, in southwestern Europe. It's the second largest autonomous community in the country, and the most populated. It's also the biggest producer and consumer of beer. Here, people take great pride in their beermaking with many local breweries, beloved by its people, and some of Spain's largest producers and brands. Here we go through some of the must-try breweries in Andalusia.
Cruzcampo
Cruzcampo is the biggest-selling beer in Spain, and one of the top-selling brands in Europe. Founded in 1904, and takes its name from "La Cruz del Campo" (The Cross of the Field), where the first factory was built.
The Company has been owned by Heineken since 1991 and has now a brewery in both Andalucia and Jaen. The company was the first Spanish company to brew non-alcoholic beer, so-called "Sin" in 1976. Cruzcampo brews different types of beer in sizes of 20 cl to 1L bottles. Some great Cruzcampo beers to try are:
Cruzcampo Pilsen
A lager, Mediterranean Pilsen-style beer with a straw-blond colour and consistent foam. An unpasteurised draft beer that follows its original 1904 recipe. 4.8% alcohol.
Cruzcampo 0.0%
A lager made only with natural ingredients of the best quality and without any alcohol. A light and refreshing blonde beer, with all the flavour and properties of the classic Cruzcampo. 0.9% alcohol.
Cruzcampo Especial
A special Lager with a bright blonde colour, it has its own personality and a unique refreshing character, inspired by the original 1904 recipe. Mild bitterness, sweet aniseed malt and fruity apple aroma. 5,6% alcohol.
Victoria
Victoria is a brewery from Málaga, in the southeast of Andalusia, on the coast of Costa del Sol. The brewery was founded on the 8 of September 1928, coinciding with the day of the Virgen de la Victoria the patron saint of Málaga, which the brewery is named after.
Victoria produces mostly lighter beers, Viena, Lager and Pilsner, called Mediterranean style pilsner. Refreshing beers that are perfect for hot summer days. Victoria brewery produces 6 types of beers in sizes from 20cl to 710cl bottles. Some great Victoria beers to try are:
Victoria original
A refreshing and balanced pale yellow Pilsner, in typical Medetiranian Pilsner-style. Ideal to drink at any time of the day. 4.8% alcohol.
Victoria Sin
An alcoholic-free beer, amber golden colour and with a light foam. Referencing and with a delicate flavour. 0.0% alcohol.
Victoria Marengo
A special black beer, made from 100% malt. The brewers have defined a combination of 5 types of malt that provides a dark colour and intense aroma. 5.6% alcohol.
Alhambra
Alhambra is a prestigious brewery from the historical city of Granada. The brewery was created in 1925, making beers from spring water and sold as beers with health benefits. But in 1995 the demand had declined and the brewery was in trouble. As one of many things done to improve the company, the beer Alhambra Reserva 1925 was created in the year 1994, and it became an instant hit.
Today the brewery produces and sells a wide range of beers that are adapted to a wider audience. Some interesting Alambra beers to try are:
Alhambra Reserva 1925
A price wining strong alcoholic Pilsner with dark amber colour and a head of thick creamy foam. 6.4% alcohol.
Alhambra Especial
A premium beer with its intense and exquisite flavour. Golden amber colour a lightly roasted aroma and a thick, creamy head. 5.4% alcohol.
Alhambra Reserva Roja
Inspired by Bock style, this beer has a reddish tone and is an intense dark lager, with lots of darker nuances and a full body. A Strong alcoholic Pilsner. 7.2 % alcohol.
San Miguel
This beer's history starts in Manila, the Philippines' capital, where it was brewed by Spanish monks in the San Miguel district. In 1957 a Spanish businessman bought the company rights and started brewing the beer in Spain.
The brewery is located in Málaga in the southeast of Andalusia, on the coast of Costa del Sol. Today the brewery stands for 30% of the Spanish beer market and produces and sells a wide range of beers. Some great San Miguel beers to try are:
San Miguel Especial
A balanced Lager with a hint of bitterness and the aroma of white fruits. Popular for its freshness, perfect for hot summer days 5.4% alcohol.
San Miguel 0.0
A non-alcoholic beer with a golden colour and aromas of hop flowers, grass and notes of cereal. Moderate bitterness and is slightly sweet on the finish. 0.0% alcohol.
San Miguel Selecta
A roasted beer for discerning palates. Intense aroma and notes of fresh fruit, soft toasted malt nuances and a light dry fragrance. 6.2% alcohol.
San Miguel Manila IPL
An Indian Pale Lager full of herbal, floral, and resin aromas. Notes of caramel and roasted malt finished with a soft aroma of tropical fruits. 5.8% alcohol.
Discover Andalusian beers
Spain is Europe's 4th biggest producer of beers and the people of Andalusia take great pride in their beer culture. Here, some of Europe's most popular beers are being brewed, perfect for the hot summer months by the Mediterranian sea. The Andalusian breweries differ in size from small local breweries to great world spread and award-winning producers. With all this variety you will always find a new brand to try and lots of new favourite beers. Make an Andalusian beer tasting at home or visit the south part of Spain to discover the world of Andalusian beer at its best.
(La Mezquita, local beer from Córdoba, Andalusia.)