Best Specialty Spanish Beers

A Märzen/Oktoberfest-style beer, it is one of the best specialty Spanish beers. The Hijos de Rivera company, which owns Estrella Galicia, is responsible for its production. Its alcohol content is 6.5%. The 1906 Reserva Especial by Estrella Galicia stands out for its toasted notes and great character. It balances a slight bitterness with caramel flavors and roasted maltiness. These rich malt notes make it a good choice for sipping slowly, allowing its flavors to develop as the beer warms slightly.

Brewed in Zaragoza by Cervezas Ambar, this is a double-fermented beer in the German Oktoberfest style with an alcohol content of 7%. It is made with double fermentation and three types of malt. It is a German-style toasted lager, patiently matured in the cellar. It stands out for its intense flavor, pronounced character and long aftertaste. Its fuller profile makes it a natural match for hearty dishes, while its malt character can be enjoyed on its own, too.

Ambar Centeno beer is produced by Cervezas Ambar. It originates in Zaragoza and is a Roggenbier, meaning it is a German-style beer made with malted rye in addition to barley. Its alcohol content is 6.4%, and it represents the Aragonese company's range of ambitious, premium beers.

Ambar Centeno is a rare example of specialty Spanish beer made with rye. In fact, this is not very common practice in the beer industry as a whole. The result is surprising. It is a beer with a cloudy appearance, great complexity and a silky mouthfeel. Its flavor is reminiscent of pumpernickel bread thanks to this special grain. Rye can give a beer a distinctive, slightly earthy character, making this an interesting option for anyone looking to try a less familiar grain.

This is another specialty Spanish beer made by Estrella Galicia. Its alcohol content is 7.2%, and it is a European Style Dark/Münchener Dunkel type. It is possibly the boldest bet of all the beers belonging to the 1906 ‘family’, with a lot of body, hefty flavor and a creamy texture. Dark beers like this are often best served in a glass that lets their aromas come through.

Coupage is a process better known in winemaking, where different grapes are blended together to create a wine with certain pre-selected characteristics. This beer is made by a similar process, except it mixes roasted malts with two varieties of hops known as Sladek and Nugget. The result is a dark elixir, with a complex aromatic expression and a deep, intense flavor.

Another beer brewed in Galicia by the Estrella Galicia brand, it has an alcohol content of 8% and is a traditional German Bock-style beer. Bock is a strong type of lager which is usually dark in color. This is a classic recently recovered by Estrella Galicia after a long hiatus. Its profile is toasted and intense, with hints of caramel and little hoppy flavor, as is characteristic of Bock-style beers. Its higher alcohol content and bold malt flavor make it a beer to enjoy in smaller sips.

Originally from Guadalajara, this beer is produced by the Mahou San Miguel group. It is a German-style Bock/Maibock-type beer with an alcohol content of 7.5%. It was created for Mahou's 125th anniversary.

Mahou Maestra is a toasted beer with a character defined by the combination of two types of hops, one aromatic and one bitter. Its color is amber, and it has nuances of malted cereal, honey and coffee, with an elegant bitterness at the end of the mouth. Its balance of sweetness and bitterness makes it versatile alongside roasted or grilled foods.

While these beers are great when paired with various food dishes, they are too special for cooking. Learn more about cooking with beer in our article asking how long do you cook beer to remove alcohol.

This is another beer from Zaragoza made by Ambar. It is a European-style pilsner beer with an alcohol content of 5.2%. Ambar Especial is the result of a balanced combination of barley malts and aromatic and bitter hops. It is a rounded and refreshing beer, capable of seducing all palates. Its lighter profile makes it easy to serve with a range of foods, including simple snacks and lighter meals.

So far, all of our specialty Spanish beers have been from major brewers, but this next option is from a smaller brewery with a growing presence in the market. Made by Cervezas Monkey in Toledo, it has an alcohol content of 7.8% and is an American stout-style beer. It is dark, intense in flavor and very aromatic. It leaves toasted, spicy and sweet sensations on the palate. It has a creamy texture and ample body. The combination of roast and sweetness gives it a robust profile, so it can be enjoyed slowly as its aromas unfold.

Mahou Barrica is brewed in Guadalajara by Mahou San Miguel. It has an alcohol content of 6.1% and is a European wood- and barrel-aged beer that is pale amber in color. It is an unusual barrel-aged beer, created by master brewers working in a micro-factory installed in the heart of the Mahou factory in Alovera (Guadalajara).

This beer is aged in oak and has hints of vanilla, cereals and almond. It is a distinct, dry lager that is very versatile on the table. Its golden color is intense and bright. It also stands out for its creamy and consistent head. The oak aging adds another layer to its flavor, making it different from a standard lager without overpowering its refreshing character.

Cervezas Mica is responsible for brewing this beer in Aranda de Duero (Burgos). It has a golden color, appearing intense and bright yellow. It stands out for its intense flavor, but with a low alcohol content of only 4.7%. While specialty beers have a reputation for their strong alcohol content, Mica is indicative of a growing trend to provide options which are not as strong. It is a balanced beer that is very fresh, with a soft toasted feel in the mouth. It has a sweetness that is quickly balanced by a citrus aftertaste, especially lime. Its lighter strength makes it a good option for those who want a flavorful beer without the higher alcohol content of some other specialty styles.

Learn more about how to care for your beer in our article asking does beer go bad in the refrigerator?

If you want to read similar articles to Best Specialty Spanish Beers, we recommend you visit our Food & drink category.