Spain
Spain is little late to the craft beer brewing scene, but hey, it's better late than never. They have been coming on strong the last few years and craft beer brewing is becoming more and more popular as people realize there are much better options than Estrella. Barcelona is turning into a major hub for the craft beer boom. You will notice that it is becoming easier and easier to find great local and international craft offerings. Don't expect this boom to slow down anytime soon.
Barcelona
Ale & Hop
Smallish bar and restaurant with a great selection of international craft beer, including breweries from Spain. A little off the main tourist area, but not difficult to find. Light food fare. Occasional live music. Definitely one of the craft beer destinations in Barcelona. Locaton: Carrer de les Basses de Sant Pere, 10 Nearest Metro: Arc de Triomf Station, L1 Updated Oct '15 |
BierCaB
Perhaps the best craft beer destination bar in Barcelona. There were 30 international craft beers on tap and another 50-70 in bottles with many vintage years for several brands (which sold for a hefty price). I drank a collaboration bourbon-barrel beer between a brewery in my home state and a brewery in Norway which I couldn't find at home. Typical Spanish-style bar food. This place can get quite busy. Voted best beer bar in Spain in 2013 by RateBeer. Locaton: Calle Muntaner, 55 Nearest Metro: Universitat Station, L1 or L2 Updated Oct '15 |
Black Lab Brewhouse
Located along the port on the Mediterranean Sea, unfortunately, it faces the opposite direction (inland). Above average brewpub with a nice selection of good tasting beer brewed on site. Lots of outdoor seating to enjoy the open air. They claim to be the 1st brewpub in Barcelona, however, since they began in 2014, I find that a little difficult to believe. International food cuisine. Live music on Saturday nights. Locaton: Palau del Mar, Plaça Pau Vila, 1 Nearest Metro: Barceloneta Station, L4 Updated Oct '15 |
Brew Pub Le Sec
Small, cozy gastro-pub with nothing fancy on the inside but a great place to be on a Friday or Saturday night. Neighborhood bar with mostly local patrons but extremely friendly who were a lot of fun to hang out with. Thinking I was only going to stay for a couple and head to the next place, I ended up staying the entire evening, laughing and enjoying great beer with new friends, including the owner. Only a handful of beer on tap, but a cooler full of great international selections. Very small batch brewing capability which wasn't fully operational when I was there, however, the owner said she was going to begin brewing soon. Subsequently, I've heard they have started brewing limited quantities of beer. When I return to Barcelona, this will be the 1st place I return, just for the camaraderie. Locaton: Carrer de Margarit, 52 Nearest Metro: Poble Sec Station, L3 Updated Oct '15 |
BrewDog
Not much to say about this bar. If you've been to one BrewDog Bar around the world, then you know what this is like. Similar menu, similar atmosphere and same great BrewDog Beer. They also have a large selection of domestic and European craft beer to choose from. Locaton: Carrer de Casanova, 69 Nearest Metro: Urgell Station, L1 Updated Oct '15 |
Edge Brewing
Edge Brewing is not open to the public, however, you can sign up on their website for a brewery tour that includes tokens for 5 beers at the cost of the tour fee. The fee is probably higher than it should be, but there are a lot of people waiting to do it, so all's fair in the laws of supply and demand. You need to review their on-line calendar for available days, sign up, and wait for an email invitation. Go to the brewery and bang on the door to get let in. I found their beer to be below average in flavor. However, as always, we advise you to judge for yourself because a lot of things can impact the flavor of beer. These guys were rated the number 1 new brewery in the world by RateBeer in 2014, but I attribute that to the only very recent surge in craft beer brewing in Spain and when comparing to the standard mass-produced Euro lagers, it's definitely above that. Locaton: Carrer de Llull, 62 Nearest Metro: Bogatell Station, L4 Updated Oct '15 |
Garage Beer Company
When your walking down the street and come across Garage Beer, it's exactly as the name implies - just a big garage door between other buildings. There is no external signage, but you can see the name through the large glass garage door. Large, roomy bar that actually makes you think you are in a garage. They have 8 or their own beers on tap. the ones I tried were very good. Locaton: Carrer del Consell de Cent, 261 Nearest Metro: Universitat Station, L1 or L2 Updated Oct '15 |
Kӕlderkold
Small but friendly craft beer bar with about 15 - 20 rotating beers on tap. A number of taps were not pouring beer, or there would be more. Great international craft beer selection. The owner is from Denmark, hence the Danish name - Kælderkold. Locaton: Carrer del Cardenal Casañas, 7 Nearest Metro: Liceu Station, L3 Updated Oct '15 |
La Cerveteca
I got here just before late afternoon siesta, so I only had time to order a quick beer before getting the boot. I didn't have much time to observe the full selection of beer, but it appeared to be a good combination of draft with a large bottle collection of international craft beer. Locaton: Carrer d'en Gignàs, 25 Nearest Metro: Barceloneta Station or Jaume I, L4 Updated Oct '15 |