{"id":137597,"date":"2025-03-16T15:03:05","date_gmt":"2025-03-16T15:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/beer\/a-guide-to-discovering-the-best-craft-beer-in-lisbon\/"},"modified":"2025-03-16T15:03:05","modified_gmt":"2025-03-16T15:03:05","slug":"a-guide-to-discovering-the-best-craft-beer-in-lisbon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=137597","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Discovering the Best Craft Beer in Lisbon"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Exploring the Craft Beer Scene in Lisbon<\/h2>\n

We recently spent two weeks in Portugal. My wife, Kim, and I dedicated a lot of time to exploring the local craft beer scene, visiting breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms. Like two beery versions of Vasco da Gama, we fearlessly charged into the unknown, certain we would find untold treasures. We did!<\/p>\n

In this story, I share some of our craft beer discoveries in Lisbon, the City of Seven Hills. I decided to also provide some other advice to help make your beer adventure successful. (Photos by Kim Jones<\/a> and Kendall Jones<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

The Emergence of Craft Beer in Portugal<\/h3>\n

A decade ago, locally brewed craft beer was exceedingly rare in Portugal. That has changed in recent years, especially in Lisbon and Porto, the two main cities. The scene is growing fast, and there\u2019s no shortage of enthusiasm.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find some good beer in Portugal, but keep your expectations realistic, especially if you live in a craft beer hotbed like Seattle, where Kim and I live. Many of the breweries were started by homebrewers stepping out of their garages. Some were built by foreign investors bringing foreign know-how with them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Remember that wine is the dominant adult beverage in Portugal. The Portuguese are rightfully proud of their wine and its history. The local wines are fantastic; if you are interested, I recommend giving them some attention. There\u2019s much more than Vinho Verde and Port, typically the only Portuguese wine styles found stateside. But let\u2019s talk about beer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lisbon Craft Beer Destinations<\/h2>\n

Here are my recommendations based on our trip to Lisbon in early 2025. Some of these destinations fit nicely with the other sightseeing you\u2019ll be doing anyway, while others are an adventure unto themselves.<\/p>\n

Canil Cerveja<\/strong><\/a> <\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Canil<\/figure>\n

One of the brewery\u2019s two locations, Canil Baixa is just south of Pra\u00e7a Figueira and Pra\u00e7a do Rossio (two notable landmarks) in the Baixa de Lisboa (downtown Lisbon) neighborhood. We went there twice and joined the after-work<\/span> crowd enjoying happy hour. Later in the evening, hand-holding young couples savored dinner and beers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s a rockin\u2019 edge, with plenty of hard rock music to accompany your beer. If there\u2019s no local football match on the TVs, expect to see and hear something like a live Metallica video. The food menu offers a local interpretation of pub grub. The beer, brewed at another location, is solid. You\u2019ll be in this popular, lively neighborhood anyway, so why not stop in for a beer? Canil translates to kennel in English. (Pronounced like: kah-Neeoo<\/em>.) R. dos Douradores 133, 1100-213 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Crafty Corner<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Take the trolley up the hill and then wander downhill through the Alfama district. In this lovely, steep, and historic part of the city, you\u2019ll discover narrow, pedestrian-only streets, hidden stairways, tiny shops, and balconies with iron railings waving drying laundry like prayer flags. Let a lazy stroll guide you to Crafty Corner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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This gorgeous beer bar is near Lisbon Cathedral and is part of that landmark\u2019s history. The historic building once served as the cathedral\u2019s stables. The tap list includes a dozen local and regional craft beers. Ask questions about the beers and the breweries. The staff at Crafty Corner is friendly and passionate about beer. The menu also offers tapas and sandwiches. R. de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o da Pra\u00e7a 95, 1100-519, Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dois Corvos Cervejeira<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>(Miravilla taproom) <\/h3>\n
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The Dois Corvos taroom in Miravilla.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dois Corvos has three locations around town. One taproom at the brewery (f\u00e1brica) and two satellite taprooms. I recommend the Miravilla taproom because it\u2019s right around the corner from another of our top recommendations, Fermentage. You\u2019ll need to take the bus or an Uber because the Miravilla neighborhood is removed from the bustle of downtown in an industrial area that is home to galleries, studios, and creative people. About 20 minutes by bus and less by Uber.<\/p>\n

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Many locals will tell you that Dois Corvos makes some of the best beer in Lisbon and perhaps in Portugal. The tap list is long. The taproom is spacious. The beer menu is diverse, the food menu satisfies with hamburgers that earn rave reviews. (Pronounced like: doys COREvoos.) R. Cap. Leit\u00e3o 94, 1950-052 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Duque Brewpub<\/strong><\/a> <\/h3>\n
\"Duque<\/figure>\n

Up the hill, to the west of Pra\u00e7a do Rossio, along a steep, pedestrian-only street, Duque Brewpub is a pocket-sized taproom with a little brewing system tucked in a tight space behind the bar. Get a table out front and watch people huff-n-puff their way up the stairs. Sip your beer and imagine how kegs are delivered to the bars and restaurants up and down this vehicle-free street: Cal\u00e7ada do Duque.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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They call it a brewpub, but Duque does not serve food like you might expect at a pub. Just snacks. We stayed nearby and were happy to have good beer near our hotel. I had more than a couple pints of their American Pale Ale. (Pronounce it like duke<\/em>, but with a tiny bit of an uh<\/em> instead of a hard k<\/em> at the end.) Cal\u00e7ada do Duque 51, 1200-156 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fermentage<\/strong><\/a> <\/h3>\n
\"A<\/figure>\n

This was our second destination in the Miravilla neighborhood. The beer was some of the best we found in Portugal. This brewery and taproom have a definite vibe. It feels creative and fun, a bit weird and playful. When we visited, the crowd was warming up for a night of Mexican-style masked wrestling.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Hanging out with new friends at Fermentage.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

One of the beers was fashioned to resemble a mixed-berry smoothie in flavor, appearance, and texture. Don\u2019t be afraid\u2014they also had plenty of normal beer on the menu. It was good! The beer is complemented by a pizza-focused menu. A block away from Dois Corvos! R. Cap. Leit\u00e3o 1B, 1950-049 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

LisPoa Craft Beer<\/strong><\/a> <\/h3>\n
\"A<\/figure>\n

The bustling neighborhood off the tourist path feels like real, work-a-day Lisbon. At this pint-sized brewery and taproom, the brewing equipment is behind glass, its shiny stainless steel lit up by colored lights. The beer menu, like the venue itself, is compact but satisfying.\u00a0What\u2019s with the name? English speakers call the city Lisbon, but the Portuguese call it Lisboa. LIS is the airport code for Lisbon and POA is the airport code for a major airport in Brazil. (Pronounce it like it\u2019s spelled: Lis-Poah<\/em>.) R. Nova do Desterro 29D, 1150-241 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Outro Lado Craft Beer<\/strong><\/a> (Aguarela Beer Co.) <\/h3>\n
\"Outro<\/figure>\n

You\u2019ll need to trust your navigation device. It\u2019s tucked up an alley in the Alfama neighborhood, not far from the Cathedral and Crafty Corner (mentioned above). It\u2019s easy to visit both destinations back-to-back. You\u2019ll find more than a dozen beers on tap as well as bottles to go. Along with other local beers, the tap list includes beers from Aguarela Beer Co., one of the local breweries; Outro Lado serves as the brewery\u2019s taproom. The food menu leans into Neapolitan-style pizza. Beco do Arco Escuro 1, 1100-585 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Queen Ale<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n
\"Inside<\/figure>\n

This is a small taproom off the beaten path, removed from the touristy stuff, with a nice draft list of local beers and a lively happy hour. The Queen calls some of the beers her own. Local breweries make beers, collaboration style, on the bar\u2019s behalf.\u00a0When we visited, the staff (a one-man act: bartender, owner, brewer) was super friendly and happy to educate us about the beers and breweries featured on the menu. The Queen Ale feels very much like a neighborhood hangout, but it welcomes tourists as well. Very passionate about beer. Largo do Tab. 9, 1150-344 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Delirium Caf\u00e9 Lisboa<\/strong><\/a> <\/h3>\n
\"Beer<\/figure>\n

If you need a break from Portuguese craft beer, the Delirium taproom serves a full array of Delirium beers as part of a draft menu featuring over 30 beers, most of Belgian origin. The food was good, the Friday evening crowd was lively, and I enjoyed a Delirium Red, which provided a nice palate cleanser before I resumed exploring local craft beer. Cal\u00e7ada Nova de S\u00e3o Francisco 2A, 1200-289 Lisboa, Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other Observations and Things to Know<\/h2>\n

Metric conversions<\/span><\/strong>. I frequently encountered beers offered in various sizes. Not so uniform as we see here in the U.S. Get used to your metric conversions: 25 cl is 8.5 oz., 40cl size is 13.5 oz., 50cl is about a regular pint.<\/p>\n

\"Beer<\/figure>\n

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Beer prices vary quite a bit,<\/span><\/strong> and I hesitate to say that beer is universally cheap in Portugal; however, I did encounter some very friendly prices. Prices at touristy bars and restaurants are not too different from what you\u2019ll pay at home.<\/p>\n

The Beer Museum<\/span><\/strong> (Museu da Cerveja). I mention it only because you\u2019ll be tempted by the name. I agree with Rick Steves when he calls it \u201cmissable.\u201d However, given its location on the Pra\u00e7a do Com\u00e9rcio, it offers good people-watching.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t you judge me! It\u2019s not a horrible beer. When in Rome\u2026<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Super Bock and Sagres<\/span><\/strong> are omnipresent in Portugal. Someone told me not to waste my time with Sagres, but if you visit Portugal and do not try Super Bock it\u2019s like going to Tuscany and not drinking Chianti. Super Bock is a medium-bodied lager. It is not very interesting, but is more flavorful than many of the \u201cbig\u201d beers we drink in the U.S. In terms of style, it is not bock. To further confuse the matter, Super Bock introduced different beers to its lineup in recent years: Super Bock Stout, Super Bock Abadia (a red beer), and Super Bock Green (flavored with lemon and lime). I only drank the regular Super Bock.<\/p>\n

Tipping.<\/span><\/strong> In broad terms, Portugal is not a tipping culture. That is, the tip is not expected like it is in the U.S., but it\u2019s still a good idea. Tipping is a nice way to show your appreciation for good service. At bars and taprooms I often left 10 percent, whatever loose change I had, or rounded up the tab.\u00a0Just because there\u2019s no line on the bill for it, don\u2019t skip the tip.<\/p>\n

Getting Around\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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Trolleys, buses, trains, funiculars, are your friends in a hilly city!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n