When you think of Spain and beer most people think of San Miguel. However, arrive in Catalonia and the story is a little different and although San Miguel is widely available, the local beer is Estrella Damm.
When I used to visit the Costa Brava I always used to drink San Miguel although I did find it a little too bitter for my taste. It wasn’t until I started visiting Barcelona from the UK regularly that I was introduced to Estrella properly and for many years I haven’t even thought about it; it’s the beer I buy in the supermarket and it is the beer I always order in a bar.
Estrella – which means “star” in both Catalan and Castillian – is a pilsner beer first brewed in Barcelona in 1876 and today found throughout throughout Catalonia, including the bars and restaurants of the rugged Costa Brava. While it is also found in areas geographically near Catalonia, such as Valencia, I’ve been told that it can be harder to find in other areas of Spain.
Fairly light in flavour, Estrella comes in at 5.2% ABV and is extremely refreshing on a hot summer’s day, and it is often served in shandy (“clara”) with lemon Fanta. Estrella is available both bottled and canned and many bars also serve it draught.
These days there seem to be a variety of micro breweries popped up in Catalonia, selling beers flavoured with various herbs and spices. However, if beer is on the shopping list then it is Estrella that goes into my basket.
I hate shopping, and while 30 minutes in a booze emporium can be a pleasant way to pass some time, it isn’t something I want to have to do every time I stock up with wine or beer. Let’s keep life nice and simple.
So, next time you visit a bar in Catalonia in search of a beer, look past the Heineken and Special Brew (just kidding) and look instead for the gold star on a red background that signifies Estrella.
You know it makes sense.
