The 10 Best Craft Beer Venues In Barcelona, Spain

Homo Sibaris, opened in 2011 by Guillem Laporta, is warmly embraced by the Plaza d’Osca, a lively and beautiful corner in the district of Sants. The bartender lets us know the owner is away: “He is busy making beer.” We nod, unable to have figured out a more suitable explanation for his unavailability. This space, decorated with psychedelic fantasy drawings inspired by the world of beer, offers some self-made beers – at least one out of the eight taps, and plenty of gastronomic delights. Here, a new breed of avid craft beer-drinking locals find themselves in their natural habitat. © Edgar de Jesús Caballero / Garage Beer Co, 2015

Here, eight taps serve the gas – sorry, the beer – at Garage Beer Co. Say goodbye to any fuel pump failures and leave this place with bodywork like new, thanks to James’ energy and Alberto’s passion, the English and Italian craft beer lovers and blissful owners of this brewery and bar. A passion is present at the Garage and it is put into every pint the owners serve. Photo expos, live music, design directly brought from Betahaus in Gracia, co-working space and hub for many of Barcelona‘s creative professionals, and, of course, gastronomic events, round up this new project.

One man stands out in here. That’s Manuel, the co-owner, manager and restless bartender of the BierCaB. Prior to opening in the current location, Manuel presented his project to an owner of another locale in Barcelona who considered Manuel to be featherbrained, his idea of craft beer silly, and promptly dismissed him.

Soon after Manuel opened doors on Muntaner Street it turned out he needed no feathers to fly, as in 2014 the BierCaB sky-rocketed to first place in the RateBeer ranking. Apart from their two house beers – the Naparbier brand – all others from the 30 taps are changed every single week. This is a craft beer bar put on steroids.

A splendid location in the magnificent Palau de Mar with a terrace facing the picturesque Barceloneta neighborhood. The lingua franca among the staff is English and it’s no surprise given given the diversity of their native lands; that’s perhaps the best quality of Black Lab. Asia and America meet in a carefully prepared fusion cuisine menu. With as many as 20 taps, from which seven dispense their own signature beers, like the already well-appreciated Claudia IPA, the craft beer options are indeed respectable here. © Edgar de Jesús Caballero / Mingus, 2015

A watering hole in the core of the old Gothic neighborhood. The owner, Rodrigo, has a successful collaboration with the guys of Edge Brewery and their house beer, the Mingus, proves it. To those who wish to have a snack while sipping brew, Mingus offers tapas and empanadas for a reasonable price. The atmosphere brings a breeze of young rebel attitude, no matter the venerable age of the place and the original arch door of neo-classic construction that is still visible inside. Behind the old antique tiled bar Mingus exhibits skateboards all hanging over the wall. We realize Charles Mingus – the famous jazz musician – free spirit is here with us. Cheers. © Edgar de Jesús Caballero / Jazz, 2015

The cradle of Barcelona’s craft beer movement from the Olympic year of 1992 features a somewhat romanesque church interior and a painting of an old long-bearded man dominating the scene. We bet it is no coincidence at all that this guy resembles Steve Huxley. In addition, Jazz proudly hosts Steve’s Academy beer making and tasting courses. The second-most celebrated house specialty, the burgers, are spectacular and worth a try. Trust the woman behind the bar; she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to recommending a beer that suits your taste.

The bar opened its doors in 1996 and is without question a pioneer among the craft beer bars in Barcelona, located at the gates of the Gracia neighborhood. Even so, when talking to the staff, they are so friendly it feels like they’ve just opened. The Iberian, Steve Huxley’s creation, is La Cervesera Artesana’s self-made beer brand offered in an array of seven different types. The selection is further backed up with few experimental bottled creations such as mushroom and chili beer. Abstract and bewitching paintings from local artists go well with the venue’s devotion to genuinely good beer.

For seven years, Cara B has been the meeting point for the young crowd of Gracia, hosting on average five live concerts a week. The intimate back patio makes this place interesting, as does the American vintage backstage living room with a comfy, classic couch. Cara B organizes several activities for craft beer lovers; you can participate in beer workshops, tastings and visits to a small beer brewery of the Espiga Catalan brand that departs right outside the bar. Talk to the friendly staff to find out more.

Translated as ‘the smallest’, La Mes Petita lives up to the Catalan saying: ‘inside the small pot is the good jam’. Here every square inch is devoted to passion for craft beer. The chemical industrial engineer Albert Sanchís, now turned master brewer, makes this small piece of precise machinery run like clockwork, steadily pumping out beer on a daily basis. Unlike most craft beer bars, except for roughly one week in August, the bar is open all year round, seven days a week. You can even clink your glasses here on New Year’s Eve, with craft beer, of course.

Approximately 90 out of the selection of more than 100 craft beer bottles in CataLluna are Catalan, meaning they are being produced no farther than 125 miles away. This allows you to travel across the flavors yielded by the brewing artisans of Catalonia by staying seated on a bar stool. Joaquim, having headed this business for already 10 years, treats his clients as his friends. Posters of Castellers of Gracia, an Electrica Dharma album cover, music from Sopa de Cabra and local customers make this place perfect for a truly authentic experience.