Europe (Other) Travel in Catalunya and Spain

I didn't see another thread about Spain, so...

I'll be in a number of cities in Catalunya and Spain over the next few weeks (Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Madrid). I'll probably spend more time exploring sherry, vermouth, and other wine than beer while I'm there, but I'm interested in any recommendations folks have for beer too--probably more interested in exploring local beers than places to buy Cantillon or something like that (although if something like St. Lam would be available somewhere, interested in that too). Looking for recommendations for bars that usually have a wide variety of local stuff on draft (especially in smaller portion sizes for more easy sampling), and also for breweries that bottle to look out for--I'm not planning to bring a ton of beer back from this trip, but it would be fun to grab a bottle from a local brewery in each city to share with some friends when I get back or something (don't need to be world class beers, just interesting and local).

For that matter, it's a little off topic but I'd also appreciate recommendations for sherry and vermouth and Rioja and things like that, bottles I could get and bring back that aren't available in the U.S.

 

Only feedback is Barcelona is an awesome city. People, food, art, sights, etc.

Not sure if your travels allow you time to visit the Basque region, but anytime I get a chance to I must say go to San Sebastian. North east corner of the country, sitting on the Atlantic, and borders France. The town is small with two great beaches. One for surfing and the other for sitting on your ass. Some of the best restaurants I have been to, both inexpensive and multiple Michelin stars are in the city (highest concentration of them within a certain area).

http://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/eat/michelin-stars

Lots of outdoor stuff to do nearby and nearby town of Bilboa has a beatiful Guggenheim museum.

jtmartino can confirm all this, too.

 

Barcelona:

BierCab is great for both local beer and food. They use Digital Pour's setup so you can see what's on tap. They've got a bottle shop next door with a great selection of Spanish craft breweries, and yes there are normally Loons available if you really want them

Garage Beer Company is just up the street from BierCab and I liked the one beer I had from them on a quick stop in. Cool space.

There's a bottle shop at Placa Del Sol (open air gathering spot surrounded by restaurants). Grab some local offerings and have one to drink on the steps.

Naparbier, La Pirata and Monsieur Gordo were probably my favorite Spanish breweries. I had two different Pirata IPAs and their Imperial Stout and found all three to be top notch.

For food, La Pepita was fantastic.

Granada:

Cafe Pub Amsterdam is the best craft beer bar in town. No taps, but a great selection of local cans and bottles.

Tasca el Conde is a great little tapas place that had some local craft bottles available. We also had good food at Taberna La Tana and La Botilleria.

Have a great time, eat tons of ham and also enjoy the cheap Estrella and wine available everywhere.

 

Ok, first, something polemical. Catalunya IN Spain. And let's go

Barcelona:
Biercab. A must. 30 taps and great food. With a bottle shop (Biercab Shop)
Garage Co. Close to Biercab. Local beer on tap. Food as well.
NaparBCN. Close to Biercab as well. Naparbier (Spain brewery) brewpub. Impressive place with food menu more elaborated (but more expensive)
Mikkeller Bar and BrewDog Pub. Same zone. Both well known
Abirradero. Brewpub
Lambicus. Bottle shop with some on tap. You can find Cantillon here, but expensive.
Beerlinale. New site. 30 taps and kitchen non stop.

Madrid:
Irreale. 12 taps
La Tape. Taps and food.
L'Europe. Very classic site. With food.
Taproom. 25 taps. For me, a lot of taps but few variety in styles.
Fabrica Maravillas. BrewPub
Madriz hop Republic. BrewPub
Mad Brewing. Brewpub. Away form city center, but very interesting. Nice food.
Chinaski. 18 taps. No food.
Be Hoppy. Bottleshop
Cervezorama. Bottleshop
La Tienda de la cerveza. bottleshop with 6 taps
Labirratorium. Bottleshop

Valencia:
Olhops and Valencia On tap.

For wine, don't forget Ribera del Duero (not only Rioja in Spain, hehe). For wine I think you can find more variety in Madrid (Both, rioja and Ribera de Duero)

Cheers!

 

Well, it's a little more complicated than that--obviously it's part of the Spanish state (for now) but Catalunya is not Spanish/Castilian ethnically--plus Andorra is Catalan and arguably part of Southern France is Catalan too. A majority of Catalan people including the ones I know don't really identify politically/nationally as Spanish and support independence. So it depends on whether you're talking about current legal borders or ethnic territories or something else. In any case, just as I wouldn't usually refer to Northern Ireland as Britain or to Puerto Rico as the United States, I try to be more specific than "Spain" when talking about Catalunya or Basque Country. (Not trying to get too political here--Catalan nationalism spans across the political spectrum anyway.)

Back to beer: thanks all for the recommendations. I won't have time to visit more than a couple of these places but I'll definitely go to Biercab (which is near my hotel and looks like a great draft selection) and maybe to the breweries nearby.

 

Cafe Pub Amsterdam is really the only game in town in Granada. It's in the city center, too, so it won't take much time to visit. That's where I discovered Monsieur Gordo.

 

And by the way right now I'm camping at a farm in rural Catalunya, near Cànoves (long story), and the only beer sold at the makeshift bar here is Moritz. So until I get to Barcelona on Saturday, Moritz it is...

 

If you do decide to drop by San Sebastian, let me know.
In the meantime, enjoy Bcn, and here´s my wine tips:
Mauro: from the Ribera del Duero region, costs about 25€ a bottle and ages really well. Fruity, typically Spanish taste but very refined.
Belondrade & Lurton: One of my favourite wines, made in the Rueda region from 100% verdejo grapes. It´s silky, subtle with flowery vanilla notes, delicious summer drink. Costs around 25€ aswell.
Martínez Alesanco Reserva 2012: Currently the best tasting Rioja I´ve tried. Loads of dark fruit flavours, blackcurrants and cherries. The wood/vanilla notes remind me of bourbon. And the best part is, it only costs 10€ a bottle!

Cheers!

 

Nice info. I'm heading to Spain in December so this is relevant to my interests.

 

I'm back from my several weeks of travel, will try to write up some of my own thoughts soon.

 

Leaving for Spain in two weeks myself. Really excited.

 

Where can you find the Martinez Alesanco Reserva in Madrid? Or is it not possible?

 

I couldn't find that one in any of the cities I visited; I did find the Mauro, and found another Belondrade Rueda but not the Belondrade & Lurton specifically.

 

In Madrid: Lavinia and La Tintoria would be your best bets. Lavinia is huge.

Thats the Belondrade & Lurton, it is a rueda.

 

I went to Lavinia early August, they didn't have the Rioja you mentioned, did have the blue label Belondrade but not the specific one you posted there.

 

We went to Carlota, bought these instead:



Awesome store and the guy was really great. Giving the Garnacha as a gift and drinking the Rias Baixas when we get home.

 

Heading to Madrid for one day/night later this month. Staying in the city centre.
I think I just read Cervezorama just closed its doors. Bummer.

Recommendations from this list that is close to Centro?

 

Yes, Cervezorama closed
Close to Centro you have the new Mahou/Founders site, El Sainete. Just opened. 22 taps. Calle Segovia 8
Mad Cafe, Calle de la Cava Alta, 13 (the best burguers and craft beer menu)
Chinaski
La Tienda de la Cerveza (bottle shop)

 

sunnrider will have to get some San Sebastián recommendations from you at some point. Heading to Spain this summer for a wedding; doing Madrid, San Sebastián and Valliodid. Traveling with friends, but they're doing Arzak one night and my wife is a picky eater. Tasting menus don't make sense.

Been drinking a bunch of wine from Ribera del Duero lately and really enjoying them. Neighbor is from Valliodid, so has been bringing a bunch back.

 

I´ll be happy to help you out. The local beer scene is very healthy at the moment, lots of bars and taprooms to choose from.
And the Ribera wines are world class.