Barcelona's Beer Scene: Local Favorites And Where To Find Them

Barcelona is a city with a strong beer-drinking culture. The most popular beers include Estrella Damm, Estrella Galicia, Cruzcampo, and Moritz, arguably the city's most famous beer.

There are several beer bars and breweries in Barcelona, including Biercab, La Rovira, Noumades, Black Lab, Garage Beer Co, and Fàbrica Moritz Barcelona, where you can learn about the brewing process and taste their artisan products.

Barcelona also has an annual Beer Festival, a popular event that attracts locals and tourists alike to taste the world's best craft beers.

Ordering beer in Barcelona

Barcelona is a city with a strong beer-drinking culture. Beer is the most popular drink in Spain, even before wine, as it's seen as an easy drink to socialise with. Spaniards love to socialise! Beer goes well with some tapas, for any informal lunch or dinner, during vermut time, when watching a football match, or when going out for drinks with friends.

How to Order Beer in Barcelona

Many tourists arrive in Barcelona knowing how to ask for "una cerveza, por favor" (one beer, please). However, they might be asked to be more specific, which can be challenging if you don't know the different ways to order a beer. Here are some of the most common ways to order a beer in Barcelona:

• Un quinto: A small bottle of beer (200ml / 0.42 US pints). It's the smallest bottle available and is known as a "botellín" in other parts of Spain.
• Una mediana (or una mitjana in Catalan): The largest bottle a bar can serve (333ml / 0.70 US pints). In other parts of Spain, this size is called a tercio or a medio.
• Una caña (or una canya in Catalan): A draft beer served in a long glass. The amount can vary depending on the bar and region.
• Una clara: A shandy, which is beer with lemon soda. Be careful, as in other areas of Spain, una clara can refer to beer with sparkling water instead of lemon soda. To be specific, order una clara de limón.
• Una litrona or una Xibeca: This is a one-litre bottle of beer typically bought in supermarkets to share with friends. Xibeca is a popular brand in Barcelona, often used to refer to any large bottle.
• Una birra: This is an informal way to say "one beer", commonly used with friends or in beer bars.
• Brand name: You can also order by the brand name, such as "Una Heineken".

Popular Beer Brands in Barcelona

• Estrella Damm: A pale lager often served as a mediana or mitjana. They also offer Voll-Damm, a double malt, and Bock Damm, a dark beer.
• Moritz: Founded in 1856, Moritz is considered the "vintage" beer of Barcelona. Their most popular brand is Moritz Original, but they also have Epidor, an intense option, and alcohol-free beers.
• San Miguel: Originally founded in the Philippines in 1890 or 1885, the company moved to Spain and now has a brewery in Lleida, about 3 hours from Barcelona.
• Mahou: This is a popular beer brand in Madrid and other parts of Spain but may be less common in Barcelona.
• Cruzcampo: A beer brand from Andalusia (Southern Spain) that is now owned by Heineken.
• Heineken: An international brand that has become popular in Barcelona.
• Amstel: Another brand owned by Heineken.

Where to Drink Beer in Barcelona

There are plenty of bars and breweries in Barcelona where you can enjoy a cold beer. Here are some popular spots:

• BierCaB: A small and cosy brewery and gastropub offering 29 different brews and delicious tapas.
• Cervesera Artesana: A bar in the Gràcia neighbourhood that brews its own craft beers and organises monthly tasting events.
• El Món de la Cervesa: A bar with a large and diverse beer menu, friendly staff, and reasonable prices.
• Belchica: A Belgian pub with a great selection of craft beers and a popular Happy Hour every weekday from 7 to 8 PM.
• La Maison Belge: Another Belgian bar with a relaxed atmosphere, blues and jazz music, and around 120 different beers to choose from.
• La Cerveteca: Located in the Gothic Quarter, this bar is run by passionate beer experts.
• Fàbrica Moritz Barcelona: The Moritz factory offers tours where you can learn about the brewing process and taste their artisan products.

Popular beer brands

Barcelona is a city with a strong beer-drinking culture, and there are plenty of establishments serving a wide range of beers, from the most mainstream local and foreign brands to the rarest craft brews.

The three most popular beer brands in Barcelona are:

Moritz

Founded in 1856, Moritz is considered the "vintage" beer of Barcelona. It was started by Louis Moritz, a Frenchman from the Alsace province who emigrated to Barcelona in 1951. The Moritz brewery became a collectively-owned entity during the Spanish Civil War and then returned to private ownership after the conflict ended. The Sant Antoni brewery is now a popular destination for a cold beer and a bite to eat. Moritz has a lighter, less syrupy feel than Estrella and a tasty fruitiness. The Epidor, a 7.2% ABV version of the usual 5.4% ABV Moritz, is also available and can be identified by its orange label.

Estrella Damm

Estrella Damm was founded in 1876 by August Kuentzmann Damm, a German man who fled to Barcelona with his wife Melanie during the Franco-Prussian War. The brewery is still run by the family today, with Estrella's Master Brewer being an 11th-generation Damm. Estrella has a thicker, more syrupy taste than Moritz and tends to be more filling. It also has a bit more bitterness. Its full name is Estrella Damm, and the red can with the gold star is considered iconic. Inedit, a more upmarket version of Estrella designed by famous chef Ferran Adria, is also available.

San Miguel

San Miguel was founded in 1890 by a Spaniard, Enrique Barreto, who lived in the Philippines. In 1946, a San Miguel Brewery was opened in Barcelona, and in 1953, it became its own brand, separate from the official Philippines company. San Miguel is lighter and fizzier than Moritz and Estrella and is less bitter. It is considered a great summer beer due to its refreshing qualities, and it usually costs a little less than the other two brands. The San Miguel 1516 is a more refined version that comes in a distinctive bottle.

Other popular beer brands in Barcelona include:

• Mahou (more popular in Madrid)
• Cruzcampo (Spain's bestselling beer in terms of volume, produced in Andalucia)
• Heineken (a popular quaff in the Catalan capital)
• Coronita
• Stella Artois
• Guinness Draught
• Budweiser

Beer festivals

Barcelona is a great place for beer lovers, with a thriving craft beer scene, and plenty of beer festivals to keep enthusiasts entertained.

The city's annual Beer Festival is a highlight in the calendar, usually taking place in March, and bringing together beer lovers, brewers, and industry professionals. The festival is a fantastic opportunity to sample a diverse range of craft beers, with over 350 different beers on offer, from local and international breweries. The event also includes brewery exhibitions, beer competitions, educational sessions, food pairings, and live entertainment.

In addition to the main Beer Festival, Barcelona also hosts a range of other beer-focused events throughout the year. One notable example is the Mash Beer Festival, organised by Garage Beer Co, which takes place every autumn. This festival features breweries from around the world, with a focus on craft beer, and is accompanied by street food and good music.

For those looking to explore Barcelona's beer scene in more depth, the city offers a variety of beer tours and tastings. These include walking tours of the Old Town, visiting breweries and pubs, as well as more unique experiences such as a trolley ride with beer on board.

When it comes to drinking beer in Barcelona, there is no shortage of options. The city is home to numerous microbreweries, bars, brewpubs, and restaurants serving craft beers. Some popular spots include Biercab, La Rovira, Noumades, and La Cervesera Artesana, the city's first microbrewery. Barcelona also has a number of beer shops, such as BeerStore Barcelona and La Cervecita Nuestra de Cada Día, where enthusiasts can stock up on their favourite craft beers.

So, whether you're a local or a visitor, Barcelona's beer festivals and vibrant craft beer culture are sure to keep you entertained and your taste buds tantalised.

Where to drink artisanal beer

Barcelona is a great place for fans of artisanal beer, with microbreweries, bars, brewpubs and restaurants serving craft beers all over the city. Here are some of the best spots to try:

Biercab

Located at C/ Muntaner 55 in the Eixample Esquerra neighbourhood, Biercab is a true craft beer paradise, recognised as one of the best in the world. It offers 30 rotating taps and tasty tapas, and there's also a shop next door.

La Rovira

In the Gracia neighbourhood, La Rovira is a cosy, old-school bar with great staff and a homey feeling. It has 15 taps and a fridge full of bottles and cans, as well as creative and delicious sandwiches. They also have meet-the-brewer events and vermouth for those who want to drink something else between their pints.

Noumades

Noumades is a temple for lovers of good beer, natural wines, and great food. They pick their favourite craft brews, many of them local, and serve them fresh from the tap. With 14 taps to choose from, you can find their regularly updated selection online. They also have beers brewed with hops that the owner has picked out and distributed around Spain and Europe.

Black Lab

Black Lab brews its own craft beer and serves American-Asian fusion food. It has a cool space, live music events and a big terrace. It has two locations: one in Barceloneta and one in Eixample Esquerra.

Garage Beer Co

Garage Beer Co has three locations: a busy bar in the city centre, a beachfront spot serving beer and pizza in Poblenou, and a brewery in Sant Andreu. It is one of the coolest and most international breweries in Barcelona, and they organise the famous Mash Beer Festival every autumn.

La Cervesera Artesana

La Cervesera Artesana is the first microbrewery in Barcelona, dating back to 1996. It is a friendly neighbourhood hangout, with over 100 different beers from all over the world, including a wide variety of gluten-free beers.

Pairing beer with food

Barcelona is a great place for beer lovers, with a wide variety of local and international craft beers available. The city's annual Beer Festival in October is a popular event, attracting tourists and locals alike to taste the world's best craft beers.

When it comes to pairing beer with food, there are a few guidelines that can help enhance the flavours of both. Here are some tips to create delicious and harmonious pairings:

Contrast

Create a contrast between the beer and the dish by choosing a beer or dish with a dominant flavour, such as sweet, rich, or oily. For example, oysters and stout make a good contrast pairing as the briny flavour of oysters can stand up to the rich, chocolatey notes of the stout.

Complement

One of the simplest ways to pair beer with food is to complement the flavours. Match rich foods with heavy and rich beers like stouts or porters. Light and refreshing beers, such as wheat beers, go well with light dishes like salads, fish, and fruity desserts.

Cleanse

Beer can also be used as a palate cleanser, especially with bold or intense dishes. For instance, a light beer can help wash down the heat of spicy food, while fatty foods like French fries can balance out the bitterness of an IPA.

Avoid Overpowering Flavours

Be mindful of the flavour levels in both the food and beer. Medium and dark beers, with their rich and powerful flavours, can easily overpower certain dishes. For example, pairing a strong-flavoured beer like Guinness with salmon would result in the beer's flavour overwhelming the delicate taste of the fish.

• Light lagers: spicy food, burgers, salads
• Wheat beers: spicy dishes, fruity desserts
• India Pale Ales (IPAs): steak, barbecue, Mexican food
• Amber ales: pizza, fried food, smoked pork
• Dark lagers: pizza, burgers, hearty stews
• Brown ales: sausage, sushi, fish
• Porters: seafood, coffee-flavoured desserts, game meats
• Stouts: chocolate desserts, shellfish, Mexican food

Frequently asked questions