posted by Charles H. Russo on Aug 30
It is now possible to review the evolution of beer in Spain in the first museum dedicated to this beverage in Madrid.The new Spanish Beer Museum is already a reality in the restaurant ?La Fabrica? in Madrid. Those who feel curious about finding out more details regarding this drink can go to 21 G?nova Street and contemplate an exhibition of historical objects related to this refreshing beverage. Needless to say, national products take up all the attention. This is the case of the first Mahou advertising poster, which dates form 1800, or the collection of Spanish bottles, a kind of retrospective from the 19th century.
Other pieces which will attract visitors? attention are a pedestal table and chairs from a Catalonian brewery, where Pablo Picasso made some of his wonderful drawings, and a strange homage Mexican breweries paid to Manolete, a famous Spanish bullfighter. There are also documents remembering past glories, such as a ceramic bottle from 1896 when the Philippines was still a Spanish colony, and deeds of shares from breweries now no longer in operation, as well as a map with labels from the epoch.
The opening of the museum has been possible thanks to several years? work consisting of gathering pieces, advertisements, bottles, cans and other objects which today make up a beer culture. Besides, the museum has four floors decorated like a brewery and a restaurant with an extensive drinks list which will satisfy visitors? hunger and quench their thirst after visiting the museum.
Without wishing to sound chauvinistic, we can say that Spain has many national beers. One of them is ?Legado de Yuste?, which was made during the times of Charles V in the monastery of Yuste in Extremadura. This emperor was so fond of this drink that he ordered some Flemish breweries to make his own personal beer. However, although this beer has high quality, the Spanish beer ?guila Amstel acts as the peninsula?s ambassador before the world owing to its light, mild and malt taste, which has won several prizes.
The qualities of Spanish beer differ greatly from British beers or ales. The latter have undergone high fermentation and therefore, have a stronger taste. There are even some that reach such intensity they resemble some wines, like Barley Wine. Likewise, they are also made with special yeast, which makes them unique.
With regard to consumption, we could add that beer consolidated itself in our country during the post-war period with an important evolution in production. Nowadays, it is Spain?s most widely consumed drink, except for milk, and Spain is the third largest beer manufacturing country in Europe, after Germany and the UK and way ahead of France and Italy. Moreover, Spain is the first beer producer of non-alcoholic beer in Europe.
Further information:
www.lafabricamuseodelacerveza.com
spanishpromotions.com
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