Beer Drinking In Madrid: Local Favorites

Madrid is a city with a rich drinking culture. While wine is a ubiquitous feature of Spanish life, beer is also extremely popular. In fact, beer is the new trend in the city, with the rise of handmade beer. The most popular beer in Madrid is Mahou, which you can find in practically every bar in the Spanish capital. Other very popular brands in Madrid are Aguila, Cruzcampo, Alhambra, and Estrella de Galicia.

There are several local handcrafted beers and breweries, and many different ways to order a beer. Beer in Spain is sold by the type of glass. For instance, a caña is the smallest glass of beer, less than 10oz, while a tubo is around 10oz, and a jarra is a pint or a mug, the largest serving in a bar.

Beer in Madrid: Mahou is the classic

Beer is the biggest competition to wine in Madrid, especially with the arrival of new artisan beers. The most popular beer in the Spanish capital is Mahou, which you can find in practically every bar.

The History of Mahou

Mahou was founded in Madrid in 1890 and acquired San Miguel in 2000 to form Mahou-San Miguel. The company values football and has established a tight connection to the sport as the official beer of Real Madrid. Mahou Clásica appears in almost every bar and is most likely the beer you're getting when you order a simple caña of cerveza on tap. It has a shiny gold colour and is made from malt, yeast, hops, and water to produce a classic taste.

Beer Sizes in Madrid

In Madrid, beer is sold by the type of glass. The caña is the smallest glass, less than 10 oz or 200ml. If you need something bigger, you can ask for a tubo, around 10 oz or 330ml, or a jarra, which is a jar, tankard, mug, stein or pint, around 500ml. For bottled beers, you can order a botella or tercer, a standard 12 oz bottle, or a botellín, a smaller 6 oz bottle.

Other Beers in Madrid

While Mahou is the classic, other popular brands in Madrid include Aguila, Cruzcampo, Alhambra, and Estrella de Galicia. In addition, there are several local handcrafted beers and breweries to explore, such as Cibeles, a 100% artisanal local brew made with natural ingredients, and Fabrica Maravillas, a mini brewery located in the trendy Malasaña neighbourhood offering a variety of handcrafted beers with exotic names.

Beer sizes: From caña to jarra

If you're drinking beer in Madrid, it's important to know your sizes. The smallest beer you can order is a caña, which is a little less than half a pint (200ml). This is a good choice for a hot afternoon, perhaps accompanied by some tapas. If you're still thirsty, you can order a tubo (330ml), which is served in a straight glass.

If you're looking for something even bigger, you can opt for a doble, which is typically double the size of a caña. For a standard-sized bottle of beer, you can ask for a botella de cerveza or a tercio (330ml).

Moving on to the larger sizes, a pinta (500ml) is a Spanish pint, usually served in a British-style glass. However, if you're looking for the biggest size available in most bars, you'll want to order a jarra. This mug or jar of beer is perfect for parties or large groups and is the most practical way to drink if everyone wants the same thing. The jarra is typically the cheapest option for its volume and is a great choice for a cosy evening indoors with friends.

So, whether you're toasting with a small caña or sharing a large jarra, Madrid has a beer size to suit every occasion!

Beer brands: Estrella Galicia, Alhambra, Cruzcampo

When in Madrid, you'll find that beer is wine's biggest competition. While the Spanish capital is known for its wine consumption, beer is becoming increasingly popular, especially with the emergence of new artisan beers. One of the most popular beers in Madrid is Mahou, which is available in most bars in the city. However, there are several other notable beer brands that are worth trying, including Estrella Galicia, Alhambra, and Cruzcampo.

Estrella Galicia is a well-known Spanish beer brand. Their non-alcoholic beer, Estrella Galicia 0.0, is Spain's leading non-alcoholic brew. It is crafted using an interrupted fermentation process, resulting in a golden-coloured pilsner-style beer with notes of malt and cereal and a subtle floral hoppy aroma. Its pleasant sweetness and slight bitterness make it a refreshing choice.

Alhambra beer has a rich history, founded in the Andalusian city of Granada in 1925. It has become the signature brand of the city and one of the most widely consumed beers in southern Spain. Alhambra Reserva 1925 is an outstanding example of a European lager. It has a golden amber colour, a full-bodied flavour, and mild grassy hop aromas with hints of grain malt. The beer undergoes a slow, controlled fermentation process of approximately 60 days, resulting in a perfectly balanced beverage with notes ranging from bitter orange to a slightly caramel finish.

Cruzcampo, founded in Sevilla in 1904, is another popular Spanish lager. It is widely available and known for its refreshing taste. While Madrid offers a variety of beer options, including artisan brews like Cibeles, the city's tap water is also highly regarded for its excellent quality, sourced from the nearby mountains. So, whether you're enjoying a cold beer or a glass of local water, Madrid has plenty to offer when it comes to beverages.

Beer gardens: Try Platea Madrid

If you're looking for a fun night out in Madrid, Platea Madrid is the place to be. Located in the heart of the city, this unique venue is a converted cinema that now houses a variety of food and drink options, making it the largest leisure centre in Europe. With over 6000 square metres of space, Platea Madrid offers something for everyone.

Platea Madrid is the perfect spot for a casual drink with friends. You can choose from a variety of beer options, including the classic Madrid brand, Mahou, or opt for something more unique like Cibeles, a local artisanal brew. The venue also offers a range of other drinks, including wine, cocktails, and spirits. And if you're feeling adventurous, try the traditional Spanish drink, vermouth, which has become increasingly popular in recent years.

But Platea Madrid is more than just a drink spot. The venue often features live music and shows, including flamenco dancing and acrobatic performances, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. The space is also available for private events, with various spaces that can be adapted to suit different needs.

If you're feeling hungry, Platea Madrid has you covered with a variety of food options. From traditional Spanish tapas to international cuisine, there's something to satisfy any craving. However, some reviewers have noted that the food options have decreased since the venue reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the quality of the dishes varies.

Platea Madrid is open daily and is easily accessible, making it a convenient spot to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. So, whether you're looking for a lively night out or a casual drink and bite to eat, add Platea Madrid to your list of places to visit in the city. It's the perfect place to experience the vibrant nightlife and social culture that Madrid has to offer!

Beer halls: Naturbier is the place to be

If you like beer in Madrid, then a German-style beer hall called Naturbier is the place to be. This beer hall has different areas for different types of clients. There is a terrace on the street where you can drink while people-watching, two rooms with music on the ground and upper levels, and a dungeon. The underground room is the most popular one, as each table has its own tap.

Naturbier is located at Plaza de Santa Ana, 9. 28012 Madrid. It is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from noon to 1:30 a.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight. You can get there by taking the Metro Madrid and getting out at the Antón Martín or Sol station.

Madrid has a lot of different beer sizes and types of glass to order. The smallest size you can order is a caña, which is a little less than half a pint and generally costs around 1€. If you want something bigger, you can ask for a tubo, which is around 10 ounces, or a jarra, which is a jar, tankard, mug, stein, or pint. You can also ask for a "botella" or "botellín", which are, respectively, a 10-ounce bottle and a 6-ounce small bottle.

The most popular beer in Madrid is Mahou, which you can find in practically every bar in the Spanish capital. Other very popular brands in Madrid are Aguila, Cruzcampo, Alhambra, and Estrella de Galicia.

In addition to these larger beer brands, Madrid also has several local handcrafted beers and breweries. One of these is Fabrica Maravillas, the only mini-brewery in Madrid, located in the trendy quarter of Malasaña. They have a variety of handcrafted beers with exotic names like Malasaña Ale, a rye pale ale, FL(ipa), a spicy beer, and Imperial Stout, a dense black beer. The bar has a nice atmosphere, making it a perfect place to enjoy a good beer.

Another brewery in Madrid is La Pedaleña, located in the famous Lavapies borough. It is run by three young guys who love drinking and making beer. They have their own handcrafted beer, but they also sell beer from around the world.

Frequently asked questions