Beer in Tenerife, tradition and avant-garde
You may have spent the morning sunbathing on the beach or you may have taken a beautiful hiking route. The fact is that, with this delicious climate, you will surely fancy a beer… Why not go a step further? On the island there is an outstanding production of both industrial and craft beer. Do you want to know some breweries in Tenerife?
There is a solid Canarian beer tradition, but the craft beer movement has carved out an important niche for itself in the panorama.
The Canary Islands have a strong brewing tradition. The first Canarian beers date back to the thirties of the twentieth century, and have always been characterized by being lager and pilsner beers, smooth and very refreshing. In recent times, some of the most emblematic industrial brands have begun to reap top-level international awards.
But, of course, Tenerife has not been left out of the boom in microbreweries that produce their own craft beers, in the craft beer line. This has a lot to do with the strong European presence on the island. Today we find numerous high-quality special beers made in different styles, both respecting tradition and taking innovation as a flag.
If you are in love with the world of beer and want to know everything about how it is made and how it tastes, you cannot miss visiting one, or several, breweries in Tenerife. Are you more interested in large industrial factories or craft microbreweries? Guided tours or just want to try and buy?
Santa Cruz, epicentre of beer in Tenerife
Any tour of Canarian beers worth its salt cannot do without the following breweries; nor tasting their production, of course…
Compañía Cervecera de Canarias: The CCC, the Canarian brewery par excellence, emerged from the merger of the two main companies in the archipelago and has almost a century of tradition. The Dorada beer, the Dorada Especial and the Tropical beer are its flagships. Now they invite you to take their Dorada Tour in Santa Cruz, in which you will learn about the entire manufacturing process and many other interesting details of its history.
Tacoa: It stands out among the breweries in Tenerife as the pioneer of the craft beer movement on the island. Visiting their facilities in El Sauzal is more than recommended: in addition to attending the manufacturing process you can enjoy an excellent pairing between beers and tapas. As if that were not enough, in its BrewShop you can find information about how to brew beer and find everything you need for it.
Water: We cannot leave Santa Cruz without stopping by the shop and factory of Agüita, one of the most talented beer projects in the entire archipelago. Picona, Morenita and Rubia are already recognized throughout the island; but, always interested in experimentation, they continue to give birth to very original beers with a marked Canarian flavour. Piñazo (with pineapple from El Hierro) or San Antonio MileStone (with gofio and honey from La Gomera) are the proof.
- Quiet and Surprising
- Adults only
- In a group
- Various locations
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Between 1 and 2 hours
- Economic
Beyond guided tours
What would the Canarian beer culture be without all those small producers who throw themselves into the ring following their creative instinct? Like these…
La Armada/Brewers Home: From La Laguna we bring you one of the most interesting projects on the island. La Armada stands out among the breweries in Tenerife for the careful planning of its different beers, produced with a balanced mix of technical rigour and gastronomic creativity. Brewers Home is the store, laboratory and reception space for those who want to try, produce or buy.
Land of Dogs: This is a very personal project developed in an organic vineyard and farm in Los Realejos. Quality, innovation and respect for the environment are the principles that govern these small producers. It is one of those authentic places that are not open to the general public (you must arrange the visit if you want to see the factory) and that are really worth it.
Other craft beers: This is a kind of bonus track for beer lovers; Some small producers on the island do not have their facilities open to the public, but you may find their beers in a specialized brewery or by contacting them directly. La Jefa, La Hermandad, Jeito and Pequeña Fábrica de Cerveza San Pedro 11 produce very personal beers in short batches and full of love. And beer.
"What I really needed was a bottle of cold beer, with the label a little wet and those beautiful drops on the surface of the glass." – Charles Bukowski
Water, malted cereal, hops... magic
The universe composed of water, malts and hops is practically infinite and tends to expand constantly. Beer is like life itself. In fact, we rarely feel as alive as with a good beer in our hands, very cold; and if we are in Tenerife, enjoying its tremendous surroundings, what more could you ask for…
Your visit to the island is a great opportunity to get to know some of the most emblematic factories in the country, but also to take the pulse of an independent panorama in full expansion. If you like beer, discovering styles and finding nuances, you will find time for everything.
On the other hand, visiting breweries in Tenerife is an activity that can be perfectly combined with other experiences, inside or outside the gastronomic field. A cultural tour of La Laguna, a Segway ride through Santa Cruz or a jeep route can be the perfect complement.
The beaches of Tenerife are phenomenal, its night sky is unique and Mount Teide is exceptional, of course, but… Make time to taste Tenerife’s beers and delve into the world around them. And take the opportunity to get to know the producers more closely! It will be one of the best memories you will take away from the island.