Spain is Europe’s fourth biggest beer producer after Germany, UK and Poland and there is an increasing variety and a booming craft beer industry too. Popular mass produced beers include Mahou Cinco Estrellas, Estrella Galicia, Alhambra, San Miguel and Cruz Campo but it is often more interesting to search out a local craft beer if one is available.

Ordering a beer is an art in itself. The most widespread order is for a “caña” which is a small beer used to wash down a tapa. For a bigger beer order a “doble”, a “tubo” or a “jarra”. If you want British-size measures ask for a “pinta” or “tanque”, while younger Spaniards often share a “mini” which is a litre of beer served in a plastic cup. For bottled beer ask for a “botellín” (small 20cc bottle) or a “tercio” (larger 33cc bottle).

“Tostada” is the name given to darker beers, while a shandy is known as a “clara” though you will need to specify if you want it with the lemonade soda (”Casera” or “gaseosa”) or lemon (”con limón”). Finally if you want an alcohol free beer ask for “cerveza sin alcohol”.