Although Málaga has historically been linked to wine production, since 2012 it has become known as the birthplace of numerous craft beers. What years ago seemed like a fad has today become an increasingly common consumption style among fans of this ancient drink. In Spain, and more specifically, in Malaga, the trend of making craft beers in micro-enterprises did not arrive until the end of the first decade of this century, although the wait has been worth it, since currently there is a wide variety of drinks with great quality and high dose of originality.

Thus, in the repertoire of Malaga craft beers you can find those that use such unusual ingredients as muscat raisin or sugar cane.

Diversity

The variety of beers is very wide. Thus, in the provincial territory today you can find dozens of beers with the most varied styles: black, amber, blonde, pale ale, pilsen,... The diversity is so wide thanks to the fact that many of these drinks are made in so-called microbreweries.  Many of them, however, have managed to make the leap to export from centers in Axarquía, such as Torre del Mar or Frigiliana. Along with these, today it is possible to find other companies that have known how to make craft beer a profitable business, such as the brands that today are marketed from various locations as diverse as Alhaurín de la Torre, Alhaurín El Grande, Ronda, Ardales, Antequera, Málaga, Marbella or Casabermeja, among others. In parallel with this variety of Malaga craft beers, the number of specialized establishments in the province has increased. Especially, breweries where you can find these and other national and international brands that meet the premises of this type of non-industrial drinks have opened.

Region

Nowadays, the production of craft beer has practically spread throughout the province thanks to small business initiatives. Therefore, it is easy to find this type of drinks in cities like Malaga – where there is the highest concentration –, Ronda, Antequera, Marbella, Estepona or Vélez-Málaga. Along with them, there are also initiatives in some towns in the interior of the province, such as Ardales, Almogía, Alhaurín de la Torre, Alhaurín El Grande or Frigiliana, among others.

Origin

Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages. In fact, its first preparation is attributed to the Egyptians around the year 10,000 BC. In Spain, evidence of its consumption has been found around the year 4,000 BC. It was the Belgian monks who began to make beers with careful formulas that can still be appreciated today. The industrialization of the sector caused a craft brewery movement to emerge in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, which subsequently expanded to different countries.

Properties

Craft beer, as long as consumed in moderation, offers beneficial health properties. Among them, with its hydration there is a lower probability of having kidney stones, it prevents constipation and prevents the formation of blood clots. In addition, it reduces the chances of suffering from heart attacks, increases bone density and slows bone loss and prevents insomnia, chronic diseases and cellular aging. All of this is possible thanks to being a drink without artificial additives, which contains natural elements and whose intake is positive, among which there are polyphenols, phytoestrogens, fiber and many minerals.