What is Porto’s Craft Beer Scene like?

Beer lovers rejoice! Craft beer has arrived in the ancient city of Porto, with places scattered throughout the streets for you to stop and sample some of the finest brews available. From long-standing breweries, to contemporary tasting rooms, every corner of the city seems to be flaunting its own craft beer scene. With an overwhelming choice of what beers to try, it can be hard to decide where to start your exploration. To ease your dilemma, we’ve put together a guide to help you navigate this bustling craft beer landscape and reveal some of the most tantalizing drinks that can be discovered here.

History of Porto’s Craft Beer Scene

Portugal’s beer scene is steeped in history and heritage. Although it has been around in some form since the Middle Ages, it was in the 19th century that it went through its first major expansion. It rose quickly in popularity in the late 1800s, forcing breweries to increase production to meet demand. By the beginning of the 20th century, Porto had cemented itself as a major player in the industry, with more than three dozen breweries operating in just one city.

This didn’t last long, however, as the Portuguese Revolution of 1910 saw many of these breweries shut down. And in the years afterwards, larger companies such as Malheiro Cabrera & Sons took over most of the market and caused many smaller brewers to once again disappear from the scene.

But with the craft beer movement making its way to Europe in recent years, Portugal’s own craft beer scene has exploded once more with brewing companies sprouting up all over the country. In particular, Porto has seen a surge in craft beer establishments (known locally as cervejarias) thanks to a combination of traditional brewing techniques and more contemporary experimentation done by local brewers.

Notable Breweries and Tasting Rooms

As craft beer has become more popular in Porto, there are now several breweries and tasting rooms scattered throughout the city. Here are just a few of the best places to stop and sample some of the most interesting crafted beers around:

Letra Brewery

One of Porto’s standout craft beer establishments is Letra Brewery. Located in the eastern district of Porto, this brewery offers up a range of carefully crafted artisanal beers for visitors to sample in their tasting room or buy to take away. Notable options here include their pale ales, IPAs, porters and stouts, as well as their selection of seasonal and limited edition beers.

Antas Brewery

Also located in Porto’s eastern district is Antas Brewery, which is dedicated to producing traditional craft beers that incorporate modern brewing techniques. Here you can find a selection of light lagers and ales, porters and stouts, as well as their personal interpretation of existing beer styles such as their Gose Sour styles. In addition to this, Antas also has a rotating menu featuring special edition wines fermented with local fruits and herbs from the region.

Mais Que Cerveja Brewery

Mais Que Cerveja is another standout from Porto’s craft beer scene. Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, this brewpub specializes in serving up small batch beers that showcase carefully chosen ingredients from all over the world. Here you can find a selection of classic styles such as IPAs and Pale Ales, as well as some experimental recipes created by the brewing team that feature more unusual ingredients such as honey and wild fruits.

Brewpubs & Bars

In addition to these established breweries, there are also plenty of other places to get your hands (or your mouth!) on some delicious craft beer. In particular, there are several pubs and bars located all over Porto dedicated to serving up carefully crafted beers from both local and international breweries. Some good choices here include The Drunken Duck, which serves a range of IPAs, Pale Ales, Wheat Beers and Stouts from their own brewery; Vrdbar, which is one of the oldest pubs in town offering up traditional Portuguese beers; Ale House 709, which specializes in light ales and lagers; and Toca Da Raposa, which features beers from all around Europe.

Craft Beer Events & Tours

If you’re looking for an even more immersive experience then why not check out some of Porto’s craft beer events and tours? Thanks to companies like GetYourGuide and Secretos e Vinho, you can get up close and personal with some of Porto’s finest brewers by attending guided tastings or touring some of their factories. For example, GetYourGuide offers a “Porto Secrets & Wine Tour’ that includes a visit to a family-run craft brewery where you can learn more about their process as well as sample some of their creations. Similarly Secretos e Vinho offer drinkers a “Gastro Beers & Pork Ears Tour’ which takes you around some of the best pubs in town for real Portuguese cuisine and hospitality. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be an experience that you won’t forget!

Conclusion

The craft beer scene in Porto has come a long way since its beginnings centuries ago. With countless breweries and bars now dotting the cityscape and an ever-growing selection of events and tours available, visitors are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring this bustling craft beer culture. So why not gather up some friends or family and head off together on an adventure into Porto’s unique craft beer culture? You never know what tipples you might discover along the way!

If you’re looking for an even more immersive experience then why not check out Porto Craft Beer – Porto Secrets And Wine Tour, offered by GetYourGuide ? This tour offers visitors an insight into Porto’s craft beer culture with guided tastings and a trip around some of its best breweries—it’s sure to be an unforgettable adventure!