Exploring Spain's Favorite Beers And Their Unique Flavors

Spain is one of the biggest beer producers in Europe, so it's no surprise that beer has become the country's favourite drink. With four main breweries – Heineken España, Mahou-San Miguel, Damm and Hijos de Rivera – there is a wide variety of beers to choose from. From the classic Mahou Cinco Estrella, which you're likely to receive if you order a beer in Madrid, to the craft-style Moritz, there is something for everyone. So, what are the best beers to try in Spain?

Popular beers in Spain include Mahou, Estrella Galicia, and San Miguel

When in Spain, beer lovers will be delighted to know that they have a wide range of beers to choose from. Spain is one of Europe's biggest beer producers, and its beer culture is thriving, with a growing craft beer scene and well-known classics.

Some of the most popular beers in Spain include Mahou, Estrella Galicia, and San Miguel. Mahou is a classic Spanish beer with a biscuity aroma of cereals, fruits, and wilting flowers. It has an intense, creamy, and refreshing flavour with a bitter finish. Mahou is widely available and held the highest number of consumer reach points in Spain in 2023, with 30.3 million.

Estrella Galicia is another well-known Spanish beer brand. The brewery was founded in 1906 by José María Rivera Corral and remains 100% family-owned. Their beers are exported worldwide, including to the UK, Germany, and the United States. Estrella Galicia has a pleasant bitter finish with undertones of toffee, flowers, and herbs.

San Miguel, part of the Mahou-San Miguel group, is also a popular choice among Spanish beer drinkers. The brand produces several different beers, including the Alhambra Reserva 1925, a premium, artisanal brew inspired by the original beers produced at the Alhambra brewery in 1925.

In addition to these popular brands, Spain offers a diverse selection of beers, from craft beers to well-known lagers. So, whether you're looking for a classic Spanish beer or something more unique, you're sure to find a cerveza to suit your taste!

Estrella Damm is Spain's oldest beer brand, founded in Barcelona in 1876

The beer is widely available internationally, including in Australia, Brazil, Peru, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, Ukraine, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Taiwan, Georgia, Honduras, South Korea, and the UK. In these countries, it is typically sold as a 4.6% version. In the United States, it is available through United States Beverage, LLC. Despite its name, Estrella Damm should not be confused with another Spanish lager, Estrella Galicia.

Estrella Damm has an alcohol by volume of 4.8% and is made from barley and wheat, flavoured with coriander, orange skin, and licorice. It has a potent flavour with hints of sweet, fruity herbs and a creamy texture. It is an excellent choice for a refreshing drink on a warm Spanish day.

As Spain's fourth-largest producer of beer, Damm is one of the country's four main breweries, alongside Heineken España, Mahou-San Miguel, and Hijos de Rivera.

Beer is Spain's favourite drink, with Spaniards drinking up to 48 litres per person per year

The most popular beer brand in Spain is Mahou, which had the highest number of consumer reach points in 2023, with 30.3 million. It is followed by Estrella Galicia and San Miguel.

Estrella Damm, which has existed since 1876, is the flagship beer of S.A. Damm, a prominent brewery in Barcelona. The brand is the oldest in Spain, and the name "Estrella" means "star" in Catalan and Spanish.

Another popular beer is Alhambra, which has a premium lager and a reserva from 1925.

If you're in Madrid and ask for "una cerveza" (a beer) or "una caña" (a small beer), you'll likely be served Mahou Cinco Estrella. This blonde beer was first introduced in 1936 and has a light taste, making it the perfect refreshing drink on a warm Spanish day.

Beer is increasingly being used to accompany meals due to its versatility and cost

The versatility of beer as a beverage comes from the fact that it can be crafted with a variety of ingredients, including barley, hops, yeast, spices, nuts, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables. This results in a diverse range of flavours, aromas, and textures that can complement or contrast with different dishes. Beer also tends to be more affordable than other alcoholic beverages, making it a cost-effective choice for pairing with meals.

When pairing beer with food, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to play with complementary or contrasting flavours. For example, a spicy dish can be paired with a spicy pale ale, or a sweet dish can be paired with a sweet beer. Secondly, the body of the beer should generally match the weight of the dish. Light dishes go well with light beers, while heavy dishes pair better with heavier beers. Thirdly, bubbles in beer can cut through fried and fatty foods, so a carbonated beer is a good choice for richer dishes. Finally, it is essential to pay attention to temperatures, as beer that is too warm may taste syrupy. Serving beer between 40°F and 50°F is ideal, and for some beers, it may be best to let them warm up for a few minutes before serving.

Some specific examples of beer and food pairings include pairing light lagers with spicy food, burgers, or salads; wheat beers with spicy food and fruity desserts; and amber ales with pizza, fried food, or smoked pork. Dark lagers go well with pizza, burgers, and hearty stews, while brown ales complement sausage, sushi, and fish. Porters are an excellent choice for seafood, coffee-flavoured desserts, and game meats, and stouts pair perfectly with chocolate desserts, shellfish, and Mexican food.

In Spain, a variety of beers are available to pair with the country's diverse cuisine. Some popular Spanish beers include Mahou Cinco Estrella, a blonde beer perfect for a warm Spanish day; Estrella Damm, a rich, malty beer founded in 1876; and Moritz, a Pilsner lager brewed in Barcelona. With Spain being one of Europe's biggest beer producers, there is no shortage of options to accompany meals and enhance the dining experience.

Heineken España, Mahou-San Miguel, Damm, and Hijos de Rivera are Spain's four main breweries

Heineken España is owned by the Dutch brewing company Heineken, and it is the biggest beer brand in Spain. The brand was founded in Seville in 1904 by two brothers from the Osborne sherry family, who created the iconic Osborne bulls. Heineken España produces several types of beer, but its Pilsner lager is the most popular. It was the first Spanish beer brand to create an alcohol-free beer in 1976 and is the official sponsor of Spain's national football team. Heineken has a presence in Spain through its ownership of the brand, but it is also a global company with a range of beers available in many countries.

Mahou-San Miguel is the leading Spanish beer company and the most international. The brand recorded a 17% increase in sales volume in the first quarter of 2024, gaining overall market share in its principal markets. Mahou-San Miguel has a net profit of EUR 108 million and a record business turnover of EUR 1,917.3 million, 10% higher than the previous year. The company has invested in its 10 production sites and four springs, increasing investment by 34% to reinforce its unique industrial footprint in the Spanish brewing industry. Mahou Cinco Estrella, a blonde beer, is one of the brand's most popular offerings, often served in Madrid and perfect for a warm Spanish day.

Damm is a Spanish brewery that was founded in 1876, making it the oldest in the country. Its beers have a rich, malty taste, and the company is one of the last in the world to produce all of its malt barley in its own malthouse. Estrella Damm is the favoured beer in Barcelona and is likely to be served if you ask for a beer in Spain's second-largest city. The brand has a range of beers, including the Estrella Damm Lager, which has a rich, malty flavour.

Hijos de Rivera is a family-owned company that has been in operation since 1906. The company is a certified B Corp, which means it meets high standards of social and environmental impact. Hijos de Rivera produces different products that innovate from tradition, with a focus on quality, origin, innovation, and sustainability. The company has a blog called MundoHR, where consumers can follow news about new product launches, events, sponsorships, social impact projects, and more.

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