Discover Spain’s Beer Lover’s Paradise: Top Craft Brewing Cities

Spain is world-renowned for its wine culture, with Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Cava being household names. However, in recent years, Spain’s craft beer scene has been quietly but steadily brewing, gaining a reputation among beer enthusiasts for its quality and creativity. Across the country, a new generation of brewers is producing innovative, small-batch beers that reflect the unique flavors and traditions of their regions. From the bustling streets of Madrid to the sun-drenched shores of Barcelona, and the historic cities of Seville and Valencia, craft beer has become a vibrant part of Spain’s culinary landscape. Madrid, the capital, is an ideal starting point for exploring Spain’s craft beer revolution. The city boasts a thriving craft beer community, with numerous breweries and taprooms offering an impressive selection of local and international brews. In the Malasaña neighborhood, you’ll find Cervecería L’Europe, one of the oldest and most well-known beer bars in the city, offering over 20 taps and a vast bottle selection. Nearby, Fábrica Maravillas, a microbrewery in the heart of the city, brews its beers on-site, including the popular Malasaña Ale and FL(ipa). For those who prefer a more traditional setting, La Tape in the Chamberí district offers both tapas and craft beer, with a focus on Spanish breweries. Barcelona is another hotspot for craft beer lovers, home to some of Spain’s most innovative breweries. The city’s vibrant beer scene is centered around the Poble Sec and Sant Antoni neighborhoods, where you’ll find a variety of bars offering local and international brews. Garage Beer Co., located in the Eixample district, is one of the city’s top breweries, known for its experimental beers and unique flavors. In the Gothic Quarter, BierCab offers a selection of over 30 taps and a beer list that features some of the best craft beers from around the world. The city also hosts the Barcelona Beer Festival, an annual event that attracts brewers and beer lovers from across the globe. Moving south to Seville, the capital of Andalusia, you’ll find a burgeoning craft beer scene that’s putting the city on the map for beer enthusiasts. The city’s warm climate and rich culinary heritage make it the perfect place to enjoy a cold craft beer, and local breweries are taking advantage of the region’s natural ingredients to create unique flavors. Cervezas Río Azul, located near the Guadalquivir River, is one of the city’s standout breweries, offering a range of beers that reflect the flavors of Andalusia, including their popular IPA, Guadalipa. For a more traditional experience, head to Maquila Bar, where you can enjoy a selection of locally brewed beers alongside classic Andalusian tapas. Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast, is another city that’s embracing the craft beer movement. The city’s sunny climate and laid-back atmosphere make it an ideal destination for beer lovers, with a growing number of breweries and beer bars offering a wide range of styles and flavors. Tyris, one of Valencia’s most well-known breweries, has been at the forefront of the city’s craft beer revolution, producing a variety of beers that reflect the region’s unique character, including their flagship Pale Ale, Tyris Original. For a taste of Valencia’s craft beer scene, visit Olhöps Craft Beer House, a cozy bar in the Ruzafa neighborhood that offers a rotating selection of local and international beers on tap. In the north of Spain, the Basque Country is known for its culinary excellence, and its craft beer scene is no exception. Bilbao, the region’s largest city, is home to a number of breweries and beer bars that are making waves in the industry. Basquery, a brewery and restaurant located in the heart of the city, offers a unique experience, with beers brewed on-site and paired with traditional Basque dishes. Nearby, La Catedral de la Cerveza offers an extensive selection of craft beers from the Basque Country and beyond, making it a must-visit for any beer lover. The Basque Country is also home to the annual Bilbao BBK Live festival, which features a dedicated craft beer area where festival-goers can sample a variety of local and international brews. No exploration of Spain’s craft beer scene would be complete without a visit to Galicia, in the northwest of the country. Known for its stunning coastline and rich Celtic heritage, Galicia has a growing craft beer scene that’s quickly gaining recognition. The city of A Coruña is home to some of the region’s most innovative breweries, including Estrella Galicia, one of Spain’s largest and most well-known beer brands. While Estrella Galicia produces a range of beers, it’s their smaller, experimental brews that are gaining attention, such as their popular 1906 Red Vintage. For a taste of Galicia’s craft beer scene, visit La Cervecería de Estrella Galicia, a brewery and restaurant located in A Coruña, where you can enjoy a selection of their beers alongside traditional Galician dishes. Finally, no journey through Spain’s craft beer scene would be complete without a visit to the Canary Islands, where a handful of breweries are producing some truly unique beers. The islands’ volcanic landscape and tropical climate provide a wealth of natural ingredients, and local brewers are taking advantage of these to create beers that reflect the islands’ unique character. In Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, Cervezas Isla Verde is one of the standout breweries, producing a range of beers that incorporate local ingredients, such as their popular Negra, a dark beer brewed with palm honey from the island of La Gomera. For a taste of the Canary Islands’ craft beer scene, visit La Chascona, a cozy bar in Santa Cruz de Tenerife that offers a selection of local and international beers on tap.