Exploring Lisbon's Beer Scene: A Guide To Local Brews

Lisbon is a haven for beer lovers, with a variety of local and international options to choose from. The city's drinking scene offers everything from craft beers to carefully crafted cocktails. While Lisbon may not be known as a beer destination like Belgium or Germany, it has some unique offerings. The two ubiquitous lagers, Sagres and Super Bock, are available all over Portugal, but craft beer is on the rise in Lisbon, with at least nine microbreweries, most of them in Marvila, Lisbon's Beer District. Here's a guide to help you navigate the best beers and breweries the city has to offer.

Best craft breweries in Lisbon

Lisbon's craft beer scene has been growing in recent years, with the city now boasting at least nine microbreweries, most of which are in Marvila, Lisbon's Beer District. Here are some of the best craft breweries in the city:

Dois Corvos

Dois Corvos is often hailed as one of the best craft breweries in Lisbon. Established in 2013, it was the first craft brewery in the city to have its own taproom. The brewery offers a wide range of beers, from session beers to aged stouts, with 12 beers on tap. They also organise regular brewery tours.

Musa

Musa is another pioneer of Lisbon's craft beer scene, with its original factory in Marvila hosting a variety of events. They also have a taproom in Bica, which offers a range of craft beers, music, and trendy bites. Musa's beers are inspired by music and artists, with names like Red Zeppelin (a red session IPA) and Born in the IPA (an Indian pale ale).

Lince

Lince is a craft brewery with a cause. The brewery is named after the endangered Iberian lynx, and a portion of its profits is dedicated to protecting this species. Lince offers four beers: a Belgian Pale Ale, an American IPA, a Blonde Ale, and a Stout. The brewery is open on weekdays until 6 pm, but their beers can also be found in some of Lisbon's best beer bars.

Oitava Colina

Oitava Colina is known for its IPA, Urraca Vendaval, which is often considered the best craft IPA in Portugal. The brewery is located in Graça, Lisbon's eighth hill, and offers ten beers on tap, as well as simple food options. They also have a second location, Oitava Marquês, which offers a more extensive menu and a larger selection of beers on tap.

A.M.O. Brewery

A.M.O. Brewery is a nano-brewery founded by Margaret Orlowski, who started brewing at home as a hobby. The brewery offers seven beers on tap, which rotate weekly, as well as beer-making workshops. Some of their popular beers include Javali Porter, a dark brown robust porter, and Andorinha, a light European Pale Ale.

Quimera Brewpub

Quimera Brewpub stands out for its impressive location—an 18th-century tunnel in Alcântara. They offer 12 taps, featuring their own beer and other local craft beers, including a Coffee Stout and a Single Hop.

In addition to these breweries, there are several craft beer bars in Lisbon that offer a wide range of local and international beers, such as Cerveteca, Duque, and The Beer Station.

Best craft beer bars in Lisbon

Lisbon has seen rapid growth in craft beer in recent years, with new breweries, taprooms, and beer bars popping up across the city. Here are some of the best craft beer bars in Lisbon:

Cerveteca

Lisbon's first craft beer bar, Cerveteca, opened in 2014 and is located by the quaint Praça das Flores square. It offers an extensive selection of craft beers, with 14 beers on tap, including small international brews and well-known Portuguese brands, as well as a wide range of bottled beers. The owners, Rui Matias and Carolina Cardoso, have curated a team of die-hard craft beer lovers, creating a cosy atmosphere for craft beer enthusiasts.

Duque Brewpub

Tucked away in an alleyway in Lisbon's central Chiado neighbourhood, Duque Brewpub offers a unique setting with a stairway leading down to the bar, surrounded by historic buildings. This bar boasts the best selection of Portuguese craft beer in Lisbon, with nine taps and several dozen bottles, all sourced from local breweries, including small-batch beers. They also offer meat and cheese snacks to pair with your drink of choice.

Outro Lado Craft Beer

Located near the Cathedral in the historic Alfama district, Outro Lado Craft Beer is a hidden gem down a narrow alley called Arco Escuro. The bar has a cosy and inviting atmosphere, resembling someone's living room and dining room. With 15 taps, featuring both local and international beers, and a list of over 300 bottles and cans, this spot offers a diverse and ever-improving selection.

Flor de Lúpulo

Flor de Lúpulo is a basement bar that opened in 2017, evoking the feel of a 1950s diner with a modern twist. It offers up to 10 craft beer taps and two fridges stocked with a variety of craft beers from Portugal and around the world. The bar also provides metal and rock music, bar snacks, and events like rock & roll trivia, all at affordable prices.

The Beer Station

Conveniently situated at the Rossio train station in Chiado, The Beer Station is an ideal spot to unwind after a day of exploring. While the bar offers a more standard selection, with six taps and around 30 bottles, the spacious patio and lively atmosphere make it a great place to relax and enjoy a drink.

Delirium Café Lisboa

Delirium Café Lisboa is a haven for Belgian beer enthusiasts. The bar is dedicated to the beloved Belgian beer Delirium Tremens, with the brand's iconic pink elephants featured throughout. With 35 taps, mostly offering Belgian beers but with a couple of Portuguese options, and a full food menu, this bar provides a unique drinking experience. Balconies overlooking the bustling street below add to the charm.

Where to find cheap beer in Lisbon

Lisbon is known for its cheap beer, and you can find great drink specials everywhere in the city centre. Here are some of the best spots to find cheap beer in Lisbon:

Glow Bar

Glow Bar is a low-key spot in the middle of Bairro Alto, known for its laid-back nightlife and affordable party scene. It's popular among backpacking tourists as it offers the cheapest beer in all of Lisbon. A small beer costs just 50 cents, a medium €1, and a large €1.50. You can also find very inexpensive cocktails, wine, and hard liquor.

Lisboa Bar

Lisboa Bar is a local secret located in the northernmost part of the Chiado district, an area usually avoided by locals due to tourist oversaturation. It's a cozy and simple place that offers "the best sangria in town", as well as cheap beer. It opens at 3 pm, making it a great spot for a cold beer after a long day of sightseeing.

The Pint Station

Also located in Bairro Alto, The Pint Station takes the area's dive spots to a new level. Beers start at just €1, and the price increases with the size of the glass. The bar opens at 8 am and closes at 4 am, attracting those who want to drink cheap beer at any time of day.

Museu da Cerveja

Museu da Cerveja is the Museum of Beer, a small exhibit space showcasing the history and role of beer in Portugal. The attached restaurant is expensive, but the beer side of the museum sells affordable craft beers. It's a great place to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere while sipping on a cold one.

Groove Bar

Back in Bairro Alto, Groove Bar is a quirky space that caters to tourists with amenities like WiFi. The drinks are incredibly cheap, including beer, spirits, wine, and cocktails. It's a chilled-out bar that plays old-school music, making it a great spot for conversation over drinks with friends. They also have a full-service menu, offering dishes like nachos, steak, eggs, chips, and fava beans.

Lisbon's Beer District

Dois Corvos is often hailed as the best brewery in Lisbon, and it was the first craft brewery in the city to have its own taproom. The family-run brewery offers 12 beers on tap, from session beers to aged stouts, and you can also take a tour of the brewery. The taproom is a short bus ride from the city centre.

Musa is another popular spot, with beers inspired by music and artists, such as Red Zeppelin (a red session IPA), Twist & Stout (an oat stout), and Born in the IPA. The original Musa factory in Marvila hosts a wide range of events, and there's also a taproom in Bica, where you can enjoy beers, music, and trendy bites to eat.

Lince is named after the endangered Iberian lynx, and a portion of the company's profits are dedicated to protecting the wild cat. You can try their four beers—a Belgian Pale Ale, an American IPA, a Blonde Ale, and a Stout—at the brewery, which is open on weekdays, or at various bars around the city.

Other breweries in Marvila include LX Brewery, A.M.O. Brewery, and Gallas Cerveja.

Lisbon's first craft beer

Lisbon's drinking scene has been dominated by two ubiquitous lagers, Sagres and Super Bock, for a long time. However, the city is now witnessing a surge in craft beer breweries and bars.

LX Brewery, founded by Gonçalo Sant’Ana, is considered Lisbon's first craft beer brand. The brewery advertises its style as "innovative and experimental", introducing new beer styles to Portugal and playing with local and seasonal ingredients. Their catalog includes rye IPAs and experimental limited editions, and they also invite craft beer lovers to brew their own beer at their Brew Lab. The brewery shares its space with the shop Oficina da Cerveja, which provides toolkits and workshops for aspiring home brewers.

LX Brewery has several regular beers on tap, as well as limited editions. The brewery opens as a bar on Fridays from 6 pm to midnight. You can find their beers at their brewery or at the craft beer bars Cerveteca and Duque.

• Dois Corvos: This family-run brewery, founded in 2013, offers 12 beers on tap, including session beers and aged stouts. They also organize regular brewery tours. You can find their beers at their brewery or at craft beer bars like Beer Station, Cerveteca, Duque, and Lisbeer.
• Lince: Lince was founded by António and Pedro, who left their careers in tech to become full-time brewers. They offer four beers: a Belgian Pale Ale, an American IPA, a Blonde Ale, and a Stout. A portion of the company's profits support the Iberian lynx, the brewery's namesake and an endangered species. You can find their beers at their brewery or at the craft beer bars Duque and Quimera.
• Oitava Colina: This brewery is located in Graça, Lisbon's eighth hill. They offer 10 beers on tap, including an IPA, a dark beer, and a blond beer. You can find their beers at their taproom, kiosk, or at craft beer bars like Damas, Trobadores, and Beer Station.
• Cerveteca: Lisbon's first craft beer bar, with 14 taps rotating between small international brews and Portuguese staples.
• Duque: A brewpub with 12 taps of Portuguese beer, including some brewed on site.
• Crafty Corner: A craft beer bar in Alfama, known for its medieval-style setting and stone walls.

Frequently asked questions