The Best Places To Buy Portuguese Beer

If you're looking to buy Portuguese beer, you're in luck! There are several options available to you, both in-store and online. In Portugal, you can find beer in any restaurant, cafe, or supermarket. The two main Portuguese beers are Super Bock and Sagres, which are produced by the country's two largest brewing companies, Unicer and Sociedade Central de Cervejas, respectively. These two companies control over 90% of the country's beer market. However, there are also craft breweries popping up all over Portugal, particularly in Lisbon and Porto, that are providing some variety to the beer scene. If you're not in Portugal, you can still buy Portuguese beer online from websites like Beers of Europe, Drizly, and Total Wine & More. So, whether you're in the country itself or shopping from afar, you'll be able to get your hands on a cold Portuguese beer!

Online beer retailers

If you're looking to buy Portuguese beer online, there are several retailers that can help you out.

One option is Beers of Europe, which offers a wide range of traditional and popular Portuguese beers. They have a variety of options available, including low-alcohol beers, lagers, and pilsners. Beers of Europe also provides free delivery for orders over £100.

Another retailer is Portugalia Wines & Food, which specialises in offering an authentic range of Portuguese beers. They pride themselves on providing carefully chosen beers, including well-known labels and hidden gems from regional breweries. Portugalia Wines & Food offers free delivery for orders over £74.95.

For those interested in craft beers, Beerbay is an online retailer that features Portuguese craft beers from breweries such as Musa, Dois Corvos, and Oitava Colina.

Additionally, Drizly offers a selection of Portuguese beers that can be delivered in under 60 minutes, providing a quick and convenient option for those who want to enjoy a taste of Portugal without the wait.

Lastly, UPSES (United Portuguese Spanish English Shop) offers Super Bock Beer in single bottles, mini single bottles, and 6-packs, providing a range of options for those who enjoy this popular Portuguese beer brand.

With these online retailers, you can easily explore and enjoy the diverse and unique styles of Portuguese beer from the comfort of your own home.

Portuguese beer brands

Portugal has a long history of beer production, dating back to the time of the ancient Roman province of Lusitania. Today, it is among the 11 largest beer producers in Europe and the 7th largest exporter of the beverage on the continent. The country's beer market is dominated by two companies, Ucer and Centralcer, which control over 90% of the market. These companies were created after the 1974 revolution and were privatised in the 1990s.

Super Bock

Super Bock is one of the most well-known beer brands in Portugal. It was founded in 1927 and has been the top choice for Portuguese beer drinkers since 1992. The brand offers a variety of beers, including:

• Super Bock Stout: a dark beer.
• Super Bock Green: the original Super Bock with a hint of lemon and less alcohol.
• Super Bock Abadia: a ruby-coloured, home-brewed flavoured beer.
• Super Bock 1927 Selection: a range of artisanal beers.
• Super Bock Alcohol-Free.

Sagres

Sagres is another popular Portuguese beer brand, established in 1940. It offers a small but good variety of beers, including:

• Sagres Radler: a Sagres beer with a taste of lemon and less alcohol.
• Sagres Bohemia: an intense, fruity beer ideal to drink with meals and with a higher alcohol percentage.
• Sagres Dark: a darker, more intense-flavoured beer.
• Sagres Alcohol-Free: both normal and dark versions.

Cristal

Cristal is the pioneer of beer companies in Portugal, with a history dating back to 1890. Despite being overtaken by Sagres and Super Bock, it is still the third best-selling beer in Portugal, preferred by many students due to its cheap price.

Vadia

Vadia is a well-known home-brewed beer from the north of Portugal. It was created by three friends with a passion for home-brewed beers in 2007. In 2015, the company moved to a bigger location, where they offer various performances, such as live music and stand-up comedy, along with their famous Vadia beers.

Maldita

Maldita is a newer home-brewed beer brand, established in 2012 by a father-son duo from Aveiro. In 2014, their Barleywine beer won an award at the World Beer Awards, and their Robust Porter took second place in the International Dark Beer Competition the following year.

In addition to these popular brands, there are several other Portuguese beer brands worth mentioning, including Coral, Zarco, Cerveja Musa, Dois Corvos, and more. These brands contribute to the growing craft beer scene in Portugal, offering a wide range of unique and innovative beers.

Beer prices in Portugal

The cost of living in Portugal is, on average, 35.9% lower than in the United States. The country is the cheapest in Western Europe, with prices of basic products being lower than in the US.

The average accommodation cost in Portugal ranges from $30 (28 euros) per night in a hostel to $74 (70 euros) in a 3-star hotel. A night in a luxury hotel in Portugal is about $149 (141 euros).

The average price of a meal in a restaurant in Portugal is lower than in the US. A meal for two in a nice mid-range restaurant will cost around $42 (40 euros), and a bottle of water or wine will cost $1.20 (1.10 euros) and $16 (15 euros) respectively. A meal in a cheap restaurant will cost around $11 (10 euros).

The average price of beer in Portugal is as follows:

• Domestic beer (0.5-liter draught): $2.60 (2.10-4.20 euros)
• Domestic beer (0.5-liter bottle): $1.20 (0.74-2.10 euros)
• Imported beer (0.33-liter bottle): $2.20 (0.95-4.20 euros)
• Imported beer (12 oz/330 ml small bottle): $3.20 (2.10-5.30 euros)

Portuguese beer history

Portuguese beer dates back to the first century BC, when the country was part of the ancient Roman province of Lusitania. The word for beer in Portuguese, "cerveja", comes from the Latin "cerevisia". However, the country's oldest brewery, Fábrica de Cerveja da Trindade, was only established in 1834, with its beerhouse, Cervejaria Trindade, following two years later.

In the early 20th century, the "Leão" beer factory and "Companhia Portuguesa de Cervejas" joined forces to create the "Germânia" beer factory, which aimed to produce one of the best beers in the world. In 1916, due to anti-German sentiment during World War I, the factory was renamed "Portugália". In 1921, the company's beers reached a revolutionary quality under the guidance of German beer master Richard Eisen, and the name was changed to "Companhia Produtora de Malte e Cerveja Portugália, S.A".

In 1925, a beerhouse was opened right beside the factory, which became a popular spot for customers to get their barrels filled and taste the beer. The beerhouse also served steaks and seafood specialties, which quickly became house specials. It became a popular meeting spot for artists, sportsmen, and politicians in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.

In the 1970s, the company went through a rough patch due to the revolution of April 25, 1974, but the Carvalho Martins and Vinhas families took over management in June 1977 and started a new cycle for the company. Today, Portugália has a chain of restaurants that remain faithful to the flavours, ambience, and service that made it one of the most iconic Portuguese beerhouses.

Currently, two brands of beer stand out in the Portuguese market: Sagres and Super Bock. Together, they account for 90% of total beer consumption in Portugal, which is around 50 litres per person per year. Super Bock is the most popular brand, both nationally and internationally. Other well-known beer brands from Portugal include Coral and Cristal.

In recent years, craft beer or microbrews have gained popularity among Portuguese people, with national microbrewers operating from north to south and producing various beer types, including stout, ale, and lager. Some of the most renowned craft brewers in Portugal include Dois Corvos, Oitava Colina, Musa, Lupum, Nortada, and Sovina.

Portuguese food and drink pairings

Portugal is known for its diverse diet, featuring fresh seafood, meat dishes, and pastries. Here are some classic Portuguese food and drink pairings to savour:

Seafood and Wine

Portugal, with its vast coastline, boasts some of the freshest seafood in Europe. Cod, or bacalhau, is a staple in Portuguese cuisine, with 365 ways to cook it—one for each day of the year! For a classic bacalhau dish cooked with chickpeas or potatoes and salad, try a medium-bodied red wine or a white wine from the Dão region, such as Encruzado, to complement the saltiness of the dish.

For a delicate seafood dish like monkfish (tamboril) cooked in a tomato, laurel, garlic, and rice stew, choose a refreshing, high-acid white wine like Vinho Verde Alvarinho from the north of Portugal. These wines have a subtle touch of honey and pure citrus fruits that won't overpower the dish.

If you're craving grilled fish, opt for a versatile, indigenous white grape variety like Arinto, which retains its acidity even in hot climates. It's the perfect pairing for simply grilled fish, as its refreshing citrus notes won't dominate the flavours of the fish.

Meat Dishes and Wine

For meat lovers, Portugal offers a range of dishes, from wild boar stew, a speciality of the north, to sausages made from Iberian black pigs. Pair these savoury dishes with robust red wines. Try a Red Douro Blend from the Douro Valley, known for its bold, rich flavours and robust tannins, or a Baga wine from the Bairrada or Dão regions, known for its deep colour, high acidity, and firm tannins.

For a true Portuguese steak experience, try Posta Mirandesa, roasted over an open fire and served with sea salt and baby potatoes. Pair it with a Castelão wine from the Setúbal Peninsula, known for its red fruit, spice, and floral aromas.

Desserts and Wine

Portuguese desserts often take the form of small, sweet pastries. One famous example is the Queijo da Serra, a soft and spreadable sheep's cheese produced in the mountains of Serra da Estrela. Pair this rich, smoky cheese with a Vintage Port, the crown jewel of Port wines.

For a traditional Christmas treat, indulge in Bolo Rei, a "king cake" filled with dried fruits and nuts. Pair it with a younger bottle of Moscatel de Setubal, a sweet and tangy wine with notes of apricots, nectarines, and honey.

Of course, no trip to Portugal is complete without trying the famous Pastel de Nata, egg custard tarts sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. While these treats go well with a strong, hot coffee, you can also pair them with a vibrant ruby Port wine, whose notes of sweet and tart fruit will complement the flavours of the tart.

Whether you're dining in Lisbon or Porto, exploring the Douro Valley, or simply recreating a taste of Portugal at home, these food and drink pairings will surely enhance your culinary experience.

Frequently asked questions