7 craft breweries in Porto

If you are one of those who can't miss trying the typical beer of each place, or one of those who enjoy drinking a good refreshing IPA every time you go on holiday, then we bring you this new Blog entry. Dedicated to all those brewers and not-so-brewers who like good beer. Here we recommend 7 places where you will find various types of local and world craft beers. 

Armazém da Cerveja

It all started a few years ago, when two friends, Rúben and Pedro, went to live in Holland on Erasmus and discovered the wonderful world of craft beers. The interest in ‘different beer’ grew between trips and when they moved back to Portugal they realised that it would be a good idea to combine business with pleasure. At Armazém da Cerveja you will find more than 300 references of Portuguese and international beers of all styles and brands. 12 varieties of beer on tap, which rotate weekly, so there are always new varieties to try. They can be consumed at the bar, on the terrace, or taken outdoors. You can bring your own food or order directly from the bar, at no extra cost. 

Gulden Draak Bierhui

In March 2018, the Belgian brewery Van Steenberge set up shop in Porto, opening the first official space for the Gulden Draak brand in Portugal. There are more than a hundred fixed beers of various brands, Belgian beers such as Westvleteren, Rochefort, Orval or Ache, but also German, English, American and some Portuguese beers. As well as new ones that come and go. Beers on tap but mostly in bottles. The place has changed its décor and is now a place with an elegant bar, where you will find a monthly newspaper with news from the beer world and an educational menu to help you make your choice. In this craft beer pub, for the non-beer drinkers you can also order wine by the glass, some spirits and whiskies.

Letraria

The craft beer brand from Minho, Letra, opened its brewery in Oporto under the name of Letraria - Craft beer garden. A space with two small bars and a magnificent garden in the background. The letters of Letraria's beer alphabet are A, B, C, D, E, F, where each letter corresponds to a style, for example the B beer is pilsner, fresher, the D is more bitter, with floral aroma and the E is dark with spices. A place that has more than 50 varieties of beer, 30 in bottles or cans and 20 on tap. In draught beer there is a clear commitment to Portuguese craft beers Musa and Sovina, and foreign beers, such as the Danish Mikkeller. The hidden garden is the perfect retreat, and a good place to eat as well. The menu includes small snacks such as croquettes, cheese boards, smoked and cured meats as well as more substantial options, such as the pork shoulder stew sandwich and burgers (regular and vegetarian), sandwiches or steaks. Many of the recipes include beer in their preparation.

O Catraio

Opened its doors in 2015. It was the first of the craft beer bars to be born in Porto. It serves more than 130 varieties of beer. Every month there are new products and the beers on tap are never repeated, precisely to feed the spirit of discovery. Their trademark is Portuguese craft beers, such as Sovina, Burguesa, Letra, Toira, Passarola and Mirandum. They also have a shop where you can buy bottles to taste at home, such as Vandoma or Colossus, from Oporto, Dois Corvos and D'Ourique, from Lisbon, or the recent Barona, from Alentejo, as well as the international beers, Brewdog, from Scotland, or the Swedish Omnipollo. As one of the best craft beer bars in Porto, it is an excellent place to meet new people, a small space with few tables that invites you to socialise over lupins and nuts. It has a terrace on the wonderful Rua de Cedofeita. 

Hop Trip

HopTrip, located in Matosinhos, and very close to the beach, has 15 beers on tap, which vary every week. Eleven taps of Portuguese craft beers and four taps of beers from all over the world. Having new beers made in Portugal is the main goal of the owners, so the brands they have change frequently. But, if that's not enough, ask the owners to help you choose one of the countless options of bottles and cans of beer. A small but super quaint bar with a typical brewery atmosphere, a dark room, walls covered with super funky posters and rock music. Plus a menu of delicious snacks with a Brazilian twist. The terrace is right at the entrance and you can bring your pet: HopTrip is openly pet-friendly.

Cervejaria do Carmo

Cervejaria do Carmo was born between two squares, Carlos Alberto and Gomes Teixeira. In June 2016, José Duarte changed the restaurant he had for a premium craft beer bar. A place that focuses 70% on national beers and 30% on international beers. It has 15 taps of beers, served in two sizes, pint or half-pint glass. There is always Oitava Colina from Lisbon, OPO 74 from Porto, Post Scriptum from Trofen, Bolina from Ribatejo, Brewdog from Scotland and the American Samuel Adams. These 6 are fixed and the other 9 are rotated. It also sells more than 50 different bottled beers, most of them Portuguese, with an emphasis on beers from the Porto region (Mikkeller, Rogue Ales & Spirits, Medina, Dois Corvos, Mean Sardine, among others). It serves cheese boards, cold meats, even francesinha. There are tables on the ground floor, upstairs and on the terrace.

Cervejeria do Carmo.

MUSA

Musa is a craft brewery in Portugal, known for producing beers with unique and creative flavours. Founded in 2015, Musa has a variety of beers ranging from the most traditional to the most experimental, conquering a loyal and growing audience in the Portuguese beer market. The company also promotes events and partnerships with other producers, consolidating its position in the national beer scene. Focusing on the quality of its raw materials, Musa aims to enhance the flavour of the final product, focusing on the diversity of styles produced and celebrating beer styles with historical and geographical importance. A beer that draws on old traditions but reinvents itself with innovative methods and fresh ingredients.

And then there are many more you can visit, here are a few in case you happen to be in the area where you are staying: Levare, Fábrica de Cervejas Portuense, Nortada, Levare Brewpub, Tap Room Porto (Colossus Craft Brewery), A fábrica da Picaria, Avalon.

And now...grab a nice and cold beer and cheers!