Popular Spanish Beer Styles
Lagers: The Quintessential Spanish Beer
Spanish lagers dominate the beer scene in Spain, known for their crisp, refreshing characteristics that suit the country's warm climate. These beers are typically light in colour and flavour, making them ideal for casual drinking and social occasions.
Estrella Damm is one of Spain’s most famous lagers. It’s a pale golden beer with a clean, crisp taste and a subtle malt sweetness. Estrella Damm is well-balanced with a light hop bitterness, making it a refreshing choice for hot weather. In the UK, Estrella Damm is widely available in supermarkets and bars, appreciated for its consistent quality and easy-drinking nature.
Mahou Cinco Estrellas is another popular Spanish lager, known for its slightly richer flavour compared to other lagers. It offers a balanced malt sweetness with a gentle hop bitterness and a smooth finish. Mahou Cinco Estrellas is a staple in Spain and can also be found in many UK supermarkets and Spanish restaurants.
Cruzcampo is a well-known Spanish lager from Seville. It has a light, crisp profile with a mild bitterness and a hint of malt sweetness. Cruzcampo is commonly available in the UK and is enjoyed for its refreshing and easy-drinking qualities.
Ales: Traditional and Modern Varieties
While lagers are predominant, Spain also produces a range of ales, including traditional styles and modern craft options.
Ambar Especial is a notable Spanish ale, known for its rich amber colour and full-bodied flavour. It features a malty sweetness with caramel notes, balanced by a moderate hop bitterness. Ambar Especial is a well-regarded beer in Spain and is available in the UK through some specialty beer shops and online retailers.
La Virgen Madrid Lager is a craft beer that offers a slightly more robust flavour profile compared to typical Spanish lagers. It has a crisp, clean taste with a balanced malt backbone and a touch of hop bitterness. La Virgen beers are increasingly available in the UK, particularly in craft beer outlets and specialty stores.
Craft Beers: Innovation and Variety
Spain’s craft beer scene is rapidly expanding, with numerous breweries producing a diverse range of innovative beers. These craft beers often experiment with new styles and ingredients, offering unique flavours and experiences.
Barcelona’s Garage Beer Co. is a prominent name in Spain’s craft beer movement. Their Garage Beer IPA is known for its bold hop flavours, including notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and pine. It’s a well-balanced IPA with a smooth bitterness and a refreshing finish. Garage Beer Co. is gaining recognition in the UK, with their beers available in some craft beer shops and online retailers.
Nómada Brewing is another leading craft brewery in Spain, known for its experimental and high-quality beers. Their Nómada Tropical IPA features vibrant hop flavours with a prominent tropical fruit aroma and a juicy, slightly sweet taste. Nómada Brewing’s beers are becoming more accessible in the UK, particularly among craft beer enthusiasts.
La Quince Brewery from Madrid offers a range of creative beers, including their La Quince IPA. This IPA is characterised by its fruity hop aroma, well-rounded bitterness, and a touch of malt sweetness. La Quince beers are making their way into the UK craft beer scene, available in select stores and online.
Spanish Beers in the UK
In the UK, Spanish beers are increasingly accessible, with popular brands like Estrella Damm, Mahou Cinco Estrellas, and Cruzcampo widely available in supermarkets, bars, and Spanish restaurants. These lagers are appreciated for their refreshing qualities and are well-suited to casual drinking.
Spanish craft beers are also starting to gain traction in the UK, with breweries like Garage Beer Co., Nómada Brewing, and La Quince Brewery offering a range of innovative and high-quality brews. These craft beers are often found in specialist beer shops and online retailers, reflecting the growing interest in international craft beer.
Overall, Spanish beers provide a diverse selection of flavours and styles, from classic lagers to bold craft brews. Whether you’re enjoying a traditional lager or exploring the innovative creations from Spain’s craft breweries, Spanish beers offer a satisfying and distinctive drinking experience.
