Spanish Beer

Spaniards love spending time with friends over tapas and a glass of beer. Spain has its own beer culture, which slightly differs from the Czech one. Whether you’re in a bar, restaurant, or on the beach, a glass of beer is always within reach. Beer is a perfect complement to typical Spanish dishes.

Beer in Spain

The Size of Draft Beers in Spanish Restaurants

Spaniards have several typical beer glasses, which vary in shape and volume. The most common types you’ll encounter are:

Caña Beer (0.2 l)

A small glass with a volume of 200 ml (may vary slightly by region), which is ideal for a quick refreshment. Caña is the most common way of serving draft beer in Spain, especially in bars and restaurants. The small volume allows the beer to be consumed before it warms up.

Tubo Beer (0.33 l)

A tall, narrow glass with a volume of 0.33 l, which is said to keep the beer cold longer.

Jarra Beer (0.5 l)

A larger glass (similar to a Czech “pint”) usually with a volume of 500 ml. Jarra is often ordered for outdoor gatherings or at festivals, where contact with the staff is not as frequent as when you’re seated directly in the restaurant.

Zurito Beer (0.1 l)

A very small beer with a volume of 100-150 ml, often served in larger glasses that are not filled to the top. Zurito is commonly found in the Basque Country, where it is ordered as part of txikiteo.

Traditional Types of Spanish Beers

Cerveza Rubia (Light Lager)

The most common beer style in Spain is undoubtedly cerveza rubia, which translates to “blonde beer.” It is a Pilsner-style light lager with an alcohol content of around 4.5% ABV. Cerveza rubia is characterized by its golden color, thick foam, and refreshing taste with a mild bitterness. Among the most famous brands are Mahou Cinco Estrellas, San Miguel Especial, and Estrella Damm.

Cerveza Negra (Dark Beer)

Another traditional Spanish beer style is cerveza negra, which translates to “black beer.” It is a dark lager with an alcohol content of around 5% ABV. Cerveza negra is characterized by its almost black color, thick foam, and full flavor with more pronounced roasted and caramel notes. Among the most famous brands are Alhambra Negra and Mahou Negra.

Clara con Limón (Beer and Lemonade)

Clara con limón is a beer mix popular especially in the summer months. It is a combination of light beer and lemon soda in a 1:1 ratio. Clara con limón has a light yellow color, a gentle foam, and a refreshing taste with citrus notes. It is served in a tall glass with ice and a slice of lemon.

Beer tap at Bacaicoa bar in the Basque city of Bilbao. On tap is Spanish beer Mahou from the tank (tanque) and three other beers (the same beer is in the first and last tap). The first lady is pouring a large beer (jarra), the second a small beer caña (full) or zurito (half full).

The Most Famous Spanish Beers

The Spanish beer market is very diverse and offers many interesting brands. Among the most popular are:

Mahou Beer

Mahou is a Madrid brewery founded in 1890. They produce a wide range of beers, from lagers to wheat beers to non-alcoholic beers. Their flagship beer is the Mahou Cinco Estrellas lager, which is known for its refreshing taste and mild bitterness.

Estrella Damm Beer

Estrella Damm is a Catalan brewery founded in 1876. It is best known for its eponymous lager Estrella Damm, which has a refreshing taste with mild bitterness and fruity notes. Estrella Damm is one of the most popular beers in Catalonia and is often served in traditional beach bars called “chiringuitos.”

Cruzcampo Beer

Cruzcampo is a Andalusian brewery founded in 1904. Their most famous beer is the Cruzcampo Especial lager, which is characterized by its golden color, thick foam, and refreshing taste with mild bitterness. Cruzcampo is very popular in southern Spain, especially in Seville and the surrounding areas. I often encountered it in restaurants in Málaga.

San Miguel Beer

San Miguel is a brewery founded in 1890 in Manila, Philippines. Today, however, it is based in Málaga and is among the largest breweries in Spain. Their most famous beer is the San Miguel Especial lager, which has a refreshing taste with mild bitterness and fruity notes. San Miguel is my favorite beer in the Canary Islands.

Spanish beer San Miguel (non-alcoholic variant).

Alhambra Beer

Alhambra is a Granada brewery founded in 1925. They offer a wide range of beers, from lagers to wheat beers to non-alcoholic beers. Their flagship beer is the Alhambra Reserva 1925 lager, which is characterized by a full flavor with more pronounced bitterness and caramel notes.

Estrella de Levante Beer

The brewery was founded in 1963 in Espinardo, a part of the city of Murcia. It is a significant local brewery in the Murcia region. Their flagship beer is the Estrella de Levante Clásica lager. It is characterized by its golden color, mild bitterness, and refreshing taste.

Estrella Galicia Beer

Estrella Galicia is a beer brand produced by the Hijos de Rivera brewery, based in the city of A Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. The brewery was founded in 1906. Their main beer is the Estrella Galicia Especial lager.

(Note: Although the brewery names Estrella Damm, Estrella de Levante, and Estrella Galicia are very similar, they are separate breweries and competitors. The word “estrella” means “star” in Spanish.)

Enjoy Spanish beer and drink responsibly!