What is Craft Beer in Porto? The Definitive Guide

Porto, the vibrant and lovely city2 in Portugal, is home to a great selection of craft beer. In this guide, we will look at what craft beer means, it’s history and our pick of the best craft beers in Porto. Whether you’re here for a weekend or you’re a resident, read on to get your fill of craft beer in the city.

What is Craft Beer?

Craft beer is defined as an independently brewed beer outside of the major brewers. Craft brewers focus on flavour and experimentation with ingredients, leading to more exciting styles of beer than the traditional lagers, pilsners and stouts. These flavoured beers come in a variety of styles, including IPAs, Porters, and Belgian Ales.

The craft beer movement originated in the United States, with the first brewery opening in 1978. Since then we’ve seen huge growth in the craft beer industry, from a handful of breweries to over 7,000 today. This is proving a challenge for the big brewers – with the smaller craft breweries taking market share and providing more variety for discerning beer drinkers. This trend is spreading to other countries across the world and Portugal appears to be embracing it wholeheartedly.

The History Of Craft Beer in Porto

The craft beer scene in Portugal is still relatively young compared to other countries. It really kicked off in 2008 with an increased demand for craft beers from microbreweries. This has steadfastly increased over the years, especially with the introduction of the country’s first “Craft Beer Week’ in 2017. This provided a platform for craft brewers to promote their beers to a wider audience and spread their knowledge across the country.

Today there are many artisanal brewers throughout the country. Some like Boa Cevada and Letra have been around since 2008 while a number of other breweries have opened since then. In Porto alone you can enjoy craft beers from breweries such as Cervejaria Keyke, Engenho Velho and Anvi Aventura. There is certainly no shortage of choice for those looking for an artisanal beer in the city.

Our Pick Of The Best Craft Beer in Porto

Cervesaria Letra – Cume Lxml Double IPA
One of Porto’s original microbreweries, Cervesaria Letra has been brewing high-quality craft beer since 2008. The Cume Lxml Double IPA is a must try – it has a deep golden colour, a highly aromatic hop aroma and a well-balanced flavour that is dominated by tropical fruits and citrus. This IPA certainly packs a punch but you’ll find it incredibly refreshing despite its 9% ABV.

Engenho Velho – Malvada branca
Engenho Velho Pub is one of the most popular craft beer bars in Porto. They have their own brewery within the pub which produces an array of different styles from New England IPAs to American Pale Ales. One of their signature beers is the Malvada Branca – an Imperial Stout with an intense dark colour and distinct roast character. It has notes of chocolate, coffee and caramel and is sure to satisfy even the most discerning stout drinkers.

Anvi Aventura – 11 Milhas Session IPA
Based in Vila Nova de Gaia, Anvi Aventura creates unique beers that are inspired by their travels around Europe. The 11 Milhas Session IPA is a great example of one of the brewery’s beers – it has an inviting tropical aroma combined with notes of mango and tangerine along with a smooth malt character. It’s light enough to be enjoyed all day long and at just 4% ABV it’s perfectly sessionable.

Boa Cevada – Albatross
Boa Cevada is one of Porto’s original craft breweries, having been founded in 2008. They have created an array of different beers over the years, from Saisons and Pale Ales to Fruit Beers. One of their most popular beers if the Albatross – which is a riff on the classic American Pale Ale style. It has a deep golden colour and is packed full of flavour from its selection of American hops – it has notes of citrus and pine and finishes dry due to its low residual sugars.

The Best Places To Enjoy Craft Beer In Porto

Porto has no shortage of amazing places to try out some craft beer. Here are just a few we recommend checking out:

• Beerroô Porto – A craft beer bar with an extensive selection of beers from Portugal and other countries.
• Beer Lovers Lounge – A cozy bar located in the heart of Porto that serves up a selection of local craft beers.
• Engenho Velho Pub – The home of one of Porto’s most popular microbreweries.
• Semântica 79 Bar – A lively bar that serves up both Portuguese and imported craft beers.
• Marina Ipiranga – A hip cocktail bar that offers an impressive selection of Portuguese craft beers.

For something more unique, why not check out this Craft Beer & Wine Tour. It takes in some of Porto’s best breweries and wineries, as well as some hidden gems that most won’t ever get to experience!

So there you have it – everything you need to know about craft beer in Porto! With so many great breweries producing delicious beer it can be hard to choose what to try but wherever you go you are sure to have an enjoyable experience. So grab a pint of your favourite local brewery and enjoy!