What better when relaxing in the Portuguese sun than a nice cold brew? The Portuguese take drinking at a casual level, often drinking beer from small bottles, ‘garrafas’, or draught beer by the half-pint or smaller, known as ‘imperial’ or ‘fino’. If you specifically want a pint or a litre, you’d do best to order ‘uma caneca’, although in certain pubs in the Algarve region they might automatically pour you a big one because they’re used to the British and German tourists round there.
Portugal has a couple of internationally famous beers like Sagres and Super Bock, which have cornered the market and are the two most common beers to find in bars. So what about Portugal’s craft beer scene? While it may not be very active, we have managed to select for you the best Portuguese artisan beers to try. Cheers!
1. Sovina
This beer is made in Portugal’s second city, Porto, more famous traditionally for its Port wine than its beer. In fact, Sovina pays homage to its birthplace by aging its beers in Port barrels, giving a deep and complex flavour. There are a number of varieties, the most popular of which are the IPA, wheat beer, and Imperial Stout flavoured with blackberry.
2. Letra
You can’t talk about Portuguese craft beer without mentioning Letra, which comes from the northern town of Braga. Each one of their products is given a different letter of the alphabet, from A to F, although this isn’t necessarily a reflection of their performance and quality. With a range of products from a pilsner (B) to a red ale (D), there’s something for everyone, though the Belgian Dark Strong Ale (E) is one for beer lovers. Generally available from Apolónia supermarkets.
3. Musa
With such comedic titles as Mick Lager and Red Zeppelin Ale, this artisan brewery truly captures the irreverent and fun-loving spirit of craft beer. The one that stands out of the crowd here is without a doubt Born in the IPA, which is strongly influenced by the American style and has a slight tropical twist. As a matter of fact, you’re more likely to find this beer in one of several specialist craft beer shops in Portugal than in a bar.
4. Dois Corvos
With an impressive 64 different beers on their roster, the Dois Corvos brewery in Lisbon is quickly making a name for itself in Portugal. With so many varieties to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin, so your best bet is just to visit their brewery in Lisbon on Rua Capitão Leitão, 94 and ask to sample some of their wares. Lucky customers may even get to try some of their new experimental beverages before they hit the market.
5. Mean Sardine
Last but definitely not least is this imaginatively named brew from Ericeira, a town 50km north of Lisbon. Like all Portuguese craft microbreweries, they are driving forward the country’s artisan beer scene by experimenting with different types of beer, from saison (Domus Noche Toledana) to Witbier (White Whale) via an Abbey Dubbel (Zagaia), each one stamped with their signature angry fish label.