Spain is more than just a wine country even though its beer is not as widely spread outside Europe. As Europe's 4th largest beer producer, there is a wide range of different, new and exciting beers for you to try. Follow us through the world of Spanish beer.
All around the Iberian peninsula, great beers are being brewed by small local breweries as well as big award-winning producers. With all this variety you will always find a new brand to try and lots of new favourites. Make a beer tasting at home or visit Spain to discover the world of Spanish beer at its best. In this article, we go through some of the must-try brands for beer-lovers.
Spanish beer brands
There are more breweries than just in Andalusia, even though some of the biggest brands come from this part of Spain. All across the country, wonderful beers are being brewed by small and big producers. The list of breweries and types of beers can go on forever, and your options are great when it comes to trying new varieties. Here are two of our favourite beer brands in Spanish inland that you have to try.
Mahou
Mahou brewery opened in Madrid year 1890. Since then the company has grown and won different prices for its taste and quality. In 2020 Mahou brewery was recognized for the third consecutive year in a row, as the most awarded Spanish brewing family in the world by the prestigious international beer competition.
In the year 2000, Mahou acquired San Miguel and is the sector leader in Spain with a production share of 32%. The Mahou-San Miguel Group produces more than 70% of Spanish beer consumed outside of Spain and has today a presence in over 70 countries around the globe. Mahou-San Miguel Group is always expanding and adapting by adding big and small breweries to their beer brand family. Today Mahou produces a wide range of beers, for all types of palates and preferences. Some interesting Mahou beers to try are:
Mahou Cinco Estrellas
An award-winning international Pale Lager. Mahou Cinco Estrellas, or Mahou 5 stars, is outstanding for its golden colour, creamy white foam and moderate bitterness. 5.5% alcohol.
Mahou Sin
A non-alcoholic Pale Lager made to keep the taste of propper Mediterainen lager beer, without the alcohol. 0.8% alcohol.
Mahou Maestra Duble Lupulo
A doppelbock beer, roasted with double hops with darker notes and a sweeter finish. A strong alcoholic beer with lots of flavours. 7.5% alcohol.
Estrella
Estrella means star in both Spanish and Catalan, and it surely keeps up with its name. This brewery from Barcelona offers great characters and impressive flavours in all of their assortment. The Brewery started in 1876 and has over the years grown to become SA Damm, one of Spain's most recognised beer corporations and brands. The company's most recognised and widely sold product is Estrella Damm.
Estrella produces a wide range of beers for all tastes and occasions perfect with Spanish tapas, meats and fish dishes. The beers are brewed from 100% natural ingredients and still follow the original 1876 recipe from the creator August K. Damm. Some of the interesting Estrella beers you have to try are:
Estrella Damm
A Mediterranean lager, lighter than central European beers. Made to suit the warm climate, this beer is refreshing and offers a full body. 4.6% alcohol.
Estrella Galicia Especial
Bright golden colour, produced from a selection of malts and especially bitter hops, provides this beer with a pleasant and characteristic flavour. 5.5% alcohol.
Estrella Galicia 0.0 Tostada
A dark non-alcoholic beer with a full flavour. The blend of malts and hops used adds to its flavourful, balanced and refreshing character. 0.0% alcohol.
SA Damm
SA Damm, Sociedad Anónima Damm, is till this day the main brewery in the Barcelona. Within the SA Damm corporation, we find different smaller brands, producers and special assortments, worth taking a closer look at for their special style and flavour profiles. Some of the ones to try are:
Voll-Dam Märzenbier
First created in 1953 as a special winter edition, suited for the colder months of the year. In 1955 the beer had become a great success and started being sold all year around. It is a German-style "Vollbier", the word "voll" in German means full, complete. A strong beer with intense flavours and a full body. 7.2% alcohol.
1906 Reserva Especial
A straightforward and intense beer made from carefully selected malts and hops of the aromatic Perle Hallertau variety, providing a good balance of aroma and bitterness. Dark amber colour with pleasant roasted notes and with a creamy head. 6.5% alcohol.
Discover the world of Spanish beer
Spain is Europe's 4th biggest producer of beers and the hot summer months by the Mediterranian sea make beer the perfect beverage for cooling down in the shade. The countless breweries differs in size from small local breweries to great world spread and award-winning producers. The Spanish people take great pride in their beer culture and produce some of Europe's most popular beers. With all this culture, history and variety you will always find a new brand to try and lots of new favourite beers. Make a beer tasting at home or visit Spain to discover the world of Spanish beer at its best.
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