Beer in Spain: history, traditions and breweries
Spain is the second-largest beer producer in the EU – and a cold “caña” belongs with tapas.
History
In the Can Sadurní cave at Begues near Barcelona, researchers found traces of malt and beer on grinding stones and pottery bowls from the middle of the 5th millennium BC. They are among the oldest evidence of beer in Europe.
Emperor Charles V, born in Ghent, loved the beer of his Flemish homeland. When he retired to the monastery of Yuste in Extremadura, he had brown beer brought from Mechelen and finally sent for a Flemish brewer, who set up a brewery in the monastery.
In the 19th century brewers from Alsace brought modern lager to Barcelona: Louis Moritz (1856) and August Kuentzmann Damm (1876). Mahou in Madrid (1890), Cruzcampo in Seville (1904), Estrella Galicia in A Coruña (1906) and Alhambra in Granada (1925) followed.
Today Spain is one of the largest beer producers in Europe, and people drink more beer than wine. Since the 2010s many small breweries have opened too, especially in Catalonia.
Traditions and drinking culture
In a bar you order “una caña”, a small, freshly tapped beer, often with a tapa. “Clara”, beer with lemon soda, is popular too.
Almost every region has its brand: Mahou in Madrid, Estrella Damm in Barcelona, Estrella Galicia in the north-west and Cruzcampo in Andalusia.
Fun facts
- From 1921 to 1991 Estrella Damm was called “Estrella Dorada”.
- San Miguel was founded in Manila in 1890, when the Philippines were still a Spanish colony. It has only been brewed in Spain since 1953.
- The Cruzcampo label shows Gambrinus, the legendary king of beer.
- Estrella Galicia still belongs to the Rivera family, who founded the brewery in A Coruña in 1906.
- In Madrid a small beer is called a “caña”, a larger one in a tall glass is often called a “tubo”.
Typical beer styles
Beer cities and their stories
Begues near Barcelona
In the Can Sadurní cave researchers found evidence of beer from the Neolithic – more than 6,000 years old.
Barcelona
The Alsatians Louis Moritz (1856) and August Kuentzmann Damm (1876) founded their breweries here. The old Moritz factory is now a brewpub with a restaurant.
Madrid
Mahou was founded in 1890 and, as Mahou San Miguel, is now Spain’s largest brewer. Here a tapa traditionally comes with your beer.
A Coruña
The Rivera family has brewed Estrella Galicia here since 1906 and is still independent.
Seville
Cruzcampo was founded in 1904. The name comes from “La Cruz del Campo”, an old wayside cross near the brewery.
Granada
Alhambra has been brewing since 1925 in the city of the famous palace and fortress after which the brewery is named.
Cuacos de Yuste
At the monastery of Yuste, Emperor Charles V had a Flemish brewer brew beer for him in the last years of his life.
Zaragoza
La Zaragozana has brewed Ambar beer here since 1900. It is one of the few large Spanish breweries that are still independent.
Breweries and their stories
Damm
August Kuentzmann Damm came to Barcelona from Alsace in 1871 and brewed lager there in the style of his homeland. Estrella Damm is now Barcelona’s beer.
Known for: Estrella Damm, Voll-Damm
Mahou
Founded by the Mahou family; as Mahou San Miguel it is now Spain’s largest brewer.
Known for: Mahou Cinco Estrellas
Estrella Galicia
Founded by José María Rivera Corral, still family-owned and independent.
Known for: Estrella Galicia Especial
Cruzcampo
Named after an old wayside cross near Seville; today the brewery belongs to Heineken.
Known for: Cruzcampo
Alhambra
Known for its beers in green embossed bottles.
Known for: Alhambra Reserva 1925
Moritz
Goes back to the Alsatian Louis Moritz. The brand did not exist from 1978 to 2004; today it is popular again.
Known for: Moritz, Moritz Epidor
La Zaragozana (Ambar)
Independent brewery in Aragon, known for its Ambar beer.
Known for: Ambar Especial
Timeline
- 1557Cuacos de Yuste
Emperor Charles V retires to Yuste Monastery and has a Flemish brewer brew beer for him.
- 1856Barcelona
The Alsatian Louis Moritz starts brewing lager in Barcelona.
- 1876Barcelona
August Kuentzmann Damm founds his brewery. Estrella Damm becomes Barcelona’s beer.
- 1890Madrid
Mahou is founded in Madrid – today, as Mahou San Miguel, Spain’s largest brewer.
- 1900Zaragoza
La Zaragozana, the brewery of Ambar beer, is founded in Zaragoza.
- 1904Seville
Cruzcampo is founded. The name comes from “La Cruz del Campo”, an old wayside cross nearby.
- 1906A Coruña
José María Rivera Corral founds Estrella Galicia. The brewery is still family-owned today.
- 1925Granada
The Alhambra brewery starts brewing in Granada, the city of the famous fortress.