From Traditional Brews to Artisanal Innovations: Why Spanish Beer is Among the Best in the World

Where to buy Spanish beer outside of Spain

In Canada, Barcelona Gourmet is a Spanish Speciality Grocery selling Spanish beer, together with cured meats, conserves and other products. 

In Washington D.C., USA, Calvert Woodley Fine Wine & Spirits is a family-run venue offering a wide selection of beers from around the world, including established Spanish brands and craft beers. Calvert Woodley also has an online store where you can purchase Spanish beer together with other Spanish products. In Paris, La Vendimia d’Espagne offers Spanish beers, Iberian ham, cold cuts, cheeses, canned goods, olive oil, and olives. 

From celebrated cervezas to the latest artisanal brews, Spanish beers celebrate the best of Mediterranean flavor and the laidback Spanish lifestyle. Check for your local certified Spanish Colmados here, and browse our Certified Restaurants map to find Spanish shops and restaurants near you. 

The new wave of artisanal Spanish beer

Alongside Spain’s world-famous beer producers, a new wave of innovative craft beer brands is showcasing the excellence of Spanish ingredients and beer-brewing techniques. Unique strains of yeast, corn adjuncts, ingredients such as local pine, herbs, and citrus fruits, and high-quality water sourcing create elevated beers. And, inspired by centuries of wine-making innovation, many Spanish breweries use traditional barrel-aging to infuse extra character in the beer they produce. 

Today, there are an estimated 650 distinct craft beer brands across the country, and Spain’s craft beer market is currently at USD 2.28 billion. This is predicted to grow to USD 5.06 billion by 2033.

Chief among these brands is Cerveza Mica, brewed in Ribera del Duero, one of the world's most renowned wine-producing regions. The company’s signature product is Mica Blonde Ale, with a delicate balance of malty sweetness, featuring notes of fresh apple and citrus, together with an earthy fragrance unique to Castile and León’s iconic barley fields.

This multiple award-winning brewery has also broken into international markets such as China, where they have introduced cross-cultural products, including a craft beer infused with Spanish thyme and Chinese pepper. Many of the breweries beers are aged in Ribero del Duero wine barrels, imparting uniquely rich notes of toasted wood and caramel.

Casa Rosita from Tarragona is building a reputation for quality in Catalonia, using recipes and brewing standards that stretch back over 400 years. Cerveza Milana in Valladolid produces a wide range of products, from the light and smooth Milana Bonita APA (American pale ale) to the summery, low alcohol Milana Pucela, with its distinctive notes of locally-grown thyme.  

Espiga, a brewery based in Sant Llorenç d'Hortons just outside of Barcelona, produces a wide selection of beers, with experimental flavors like no one else on the market. The intense roasted caramel of its Porter beer makes it a local favorite, a flavor that is complemented by complex aromas of toasted almonds, coffee, cocoa, and licorice. This special craft beer can be paired with a variety of dishes and flavors, including barbecued meat dishes and traditional Spanish sweets. Some of the country’s other leading craft beer breweries include Basqueland Brewing in San Sebastian, Garage Beer Co in Barcelona, and Mad Brewing in Madrid. 

Each of the craft beers above tastes wonderful with Marcona almonds. With their subtly sweet flavor and intricate production methods, they are considered to be among the best almonds in the world. Craft beer also goes great with table olives, especially hojiblanca. All of these locally grown products elevate the idea of the humble ‘beer snack’ to a whole new level – in Spain, both the beer and its accompaniments are made from the Earth and the work that comes from the passion to create something truly unique.

Spain’s major beer brands

The Spanish beer market is diverse, with ten major companies leading the sector. Mahou-San Miguel and Damm are market leaders, making up around 80% of the market. Mahou-San Miguel exports its signature pilsner beers – Mahou and San Miguel – all over the world, most notably throughout Cuba, China, and the UK, as well as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia. Crisp, clean, and refreshing, they pair well with the mild spice and tangy flavor of the Spanish chilli pepper Guindilla de Ibarra, as well as all kinds of table olives.

Estrella Galicia is a perennial favorite in Galicia, much loved for its subtle bitterness and distinct floral flavor. The brand’s La Milnueve 1906, a Helles Bock beer, was recently named Spain’s best beer at the World Beer Awards. This beer’s toasted bread undertones and mild fruitiness means it also pairs well with Guindilla de Ibarra peppers.

Alhambra, based in the southern region of Andalusia in the city of Granada, is one of the country’s fastest-growing brands. Their 1925 Reserva variety, with notes of toasted caramel and hints of citrus and spices, is one of Spain’s most popular strong lagers, perfect when paired with Jamón Ibérico. 

Also from Andalusia, Cruzcampo is a crisp, lightly refreshing beer that is hugely popular, both locally and as an international export, with massive growth in the UK over the past decade. Meanwhile, Toledo-based lager La Sagra is another increasingly popular brewer, having won multiple awards, including a gold medal at the World Beer Awards 2022. Both beers are best enjoyed with table olives such as Gordal and Manzanilla.

The global success of Spanish beer

According to Eurostat, Spain is the second-largest beer producer in the EU, with 4 billion litres produced every year. Second only to Germany, this is 12.4% of the total EU production. Spanish brewers are keen to share their success with the rest of the world, with Spain ranking 10th in the world for international exports, having enjoyed a threefold increase in global sales over the past decade.

The country’s breweries bring quality to match quantity, with 30 winners at the 2025 World Beer Awards, including eight gold medal winners. 1906 La Milnueve was crowned Country Winner, taking home the gold for best seasonal beer, while Estrella Damm took the top prize for best tasting beer.

Spanish beers are incredibly diverse – from light, refreshing pilsners to inventive, richly flavored IPAs and everything in between. Yet, aside from the sheer diversity of choice, what distinguishes Spanish beer is the use of local Spanish ingredients like high-quality rice and barley, and time-honoured techniques like barrel-aging. Like wine, beer is an extension of the soul of Spain – a cold, refreshing cerveza, served with a tapa made from locally-sourced ingredients, is symbolic of a culture that values the joy of sharing and enjoying life with friends and loved ones.