Beers from Spain
Spain is widely known for its rich culinary traditions and vibrant wine culture, but beer has also long held an important place in Spanish society. In recent years, Spain’s beer scene has evolved significantly, with an increasing number of craft breweries popping up alongside traditional beer brands. While light lagers remain the dominant style due to Spain’s warm climate, there is a growing demand for more diverse styles, including IPAs, stouts, and wheat beers. Spanish brewers are combining local ingredients and traditional brewing techniques to produce beers with unique flavours that are gaining international recognition.
Types of Beers in Spain
Lagers
Lagers are by far the most popular style of beer in Spain. These beers are typically light, crisp, and refreshing, making them perfect for the country’s hot summers. Major Spanish beer brands focus primarily on producing pale lagers, which are widely consumed throughout the country.
Estrella Damm: One of the oldest and most iconic Spanish lagers, Estrella Damm is brewed in Barcelona. It has a smooth, crisp flavour with a hint of malt sweetness and a light bitterness. Its clean finish makes it highly refreshing, especially in warm weather.
Mahou Cinco Estrellas: Another popular pale lager, Mahou Cinco Estrellas is brewed in Madrid. It has a slightly fuller body than Estrella Damm, with a stronger malt backbone and a more pronounced bitterness. This beer is well-balanced and easy to drink, making it a staple in Spanish bars and restaurants.
Craft Beers
In recent years, Spain has witnessed a boom in the craft beer movement, with many independent breweries experimenting with different styles and flavours. Spanish craft beers often draw on local ingredients and offer a wide variety of styles, including IPAs, stouts, and wheat beers. This shift has brought more diversity to Spain’s beer landscape, appealing to beer enthusiasts looking for something beyond traditional lagers.
La Virgen Madrid Lager: A popular craft beer from Madrid, La Virgen Madrid Lager is a fresh take on the traditional lager style. It has a more complex malt profile, with notes of bread and caramel, balanced by a subtle hop bitterness. Its slightly fuller body and smooth finish make it a great introduction to Spain’s craft beer scene.
Cibeles IPA: One of Spain’s leading IPAs, Cibeles IPA offers bold hop aromas of citrus and pine, with a strong bitterness that is balanced by a sweet malt base. This beer has a more robust flavour profile compared to traditional Spanish lagers and appeals to those who enjoy hop-forward beers.
Traditional Styles
While lagers dominate the market, there are some traditional Spanish beer styles worth mentioning. One such style is Cerveza de Bodega, an unfiltered, unpasteurised lager that is brewed and consumed fresh. These beers are often found in specialised bars and offer a more vibrant, natural taste compared to standard lagers. Additionally, some Spanish craft brewers are reviving traditional European beer styles, such as Saison and Porter, giving beer enthusiasts more options to explore.
Flavours of Spanish Beers
Light and Crisp
Spanish lagers are known for their light, crisp flavours, with a focus on refreshment. Beers like Estrella Damm and Mahou Cinco Estrellas are brewed to be easy-drinking, with mild malt sweetness and a clean, slightly bitter finish. These beers are best enjoyed chilled and pair well with tapas or seafood, making them perfect for Spain’s sunny terraces.
Bold and Hoppy
With the growth of craft brewing, more bold and hop-forward beers are appearing on the Spanish beer scene. Beers like Cibeles IPA offer a departure from the traditional lager profile, with strong citrus and pine aromas and a noticeable bitterness. These beers have a more intense flavour profile and cater to craft beer enthusiasts seeking complexity and balance.
Malty and Complex
Some Spanish craft beers, such as La Virgen Madrid Lager, feature a more malt-forward character, with flavours of caramel, biscuit, and bread. These beers are fuller-bodied than typical lagers and provide a richer drinking experience, making them ideal for those looking for something more substantial.
Popular Spanish Beers Available in the UK
Many of Spain’s most famous beers are widely available in the UK, particularly in supermarkets and specialised beer shops. Estrella Damm, Mahou Cinco Estrellas, and San Miguel are commonly found in UK stores and are popular choices for those seeking a light, refreshing lager. For those interested in exploring Spanish craft beers, some UK-based online retailers offer selections from breweries like La Virgen and Cibeles, allowing British beer enthusiasts to sample the diversity of Spain’s burgeoning craft beer scene.
Conclusion
Spain’s beer scene offers a wide array of styles, from the crisp and refreshing lagers that dominate the market to the bold, hop-forward brews emerging from the country’s growing craft beer industry. Beers like Estrella Damm and Mahou Cinco Estrellas remain staples of Spanish beer culture, but the rise of craft breweries has introduced a new level of diversity, with beers like Cibeles IPA and La Virgen Madrid Lager offering more complex and adventurous flavour profiles. With many of these beers now available in the UK, beer lovers can experience the flavours of Spain’s rich brewing tradition, whether they prefer a light, refreshing lager or a bold, flavourful craft beer.
