The COVID-19 quarantine’s true heroes have emerged from expected and unusual places. Healthcare workers, face mask producers, food store employees, bicycle messengers and bus drivers. But there are a number of further unsung heroes who are doing their best to keep their companies running, employees paid, and also add to our quality of life, diminished though it may be by the quarantine. For some, it’s the opera singer next door giving free nightly concertos; for others (including me), it’s a number of small craft breweries in and around Barcelona who have organized special packs for home delivery, so you can enjoy freshly brewed craft beer from the comfort of your favorite chair as you watch Youtube exercise videos.
Barcelona Craft Beer
Cervesa Guineu’s Instagram feed caught my attention immediately because of their range of themed box options: Pack Confinament, Pack Quarentena, or my favorite, Pack de Guarda, which is full of delicious dark stout beers. Although located out near Manresa, they are offering free home delivery. Prices start at 24 euros per box, including delivery. Order via WhatsApp at +34650721688.
As one of the leading specialist beer shops in Barcelona, it should come as no surprise that BierCaB is compiling assortment packs of tall cans from different Spanish producers. Although they are not delivering their curated selection of rare, world class beers, they are sending out some excellent craft beers for you to enjoy at home. Those searching for a trendy and hoppy beer will enjoy BierCaB’s boxes, available for delivery. Email your order to [email protected].
Black Lab, located right down in the Barcelona Port, is offering same-day delivery within Barcelona City for orders placed before 18:00 each day. Call before lunch and enjoy a craft beer for dinner or even before. There are no rules for when to drink during a quarantine. And if you don’t feel like drinking but want to support local craft beer, you can buy them a virtual pint. Order via their website.
Drinking amazing craft beer at home is all fine and good, but the folks at La Pirata know that beer is best enjoyed in the company of others. Clear your social calendar because this brewery based outside Manresa has organized online tastings, the first coming up on April 10. They happen to know that we will be at home. La Pirata is also offering different packs, door-to-door delivery included. Order via their website.
Garage Beer Co is providing special delivery schedules in and outside the city. The Eixample-based shop has some interesting collaborations with other breweries from Spain and abroad, ready to ship. New releases include the Wah Wahva IPA made with Swedish craft beer maker Brewski, or Photo Opportunity with Cerveza Dougall’s from Cantabria. The silver lining of the taproom being closed is that you can enjoy all the great can artwork, and stock it in your own kitchen. Order via their website.
Please stop hoarding cans of Estrella from the supermarket like it’s the end days and you have no other options. Support your local brewers and crack open a different, fresh, craft beer each evening, lunch, or breakfast, as you see fit.
Guest Author: David Alvarez came to Barcelona by way of Belgium by way of Seattle. When he’s not riding his bike through Collserolla, you can find him working his way through every craft beer and gourmet donuteria in and outside of Barcelona.