Portuguese Beer: Super Bock, Sagres and How to Order

Portugal is best known for wine, but beer is everywhere, from tiny glasses of draught lager at a café counter to a growing craft scene. Here’s a quick guide to Portuguese beer: the big brands, how to order, and where to find craft beer.

Quick answer: the two big brands are Super Bock and Sagres. To order a small draught beer, ask for an imperial in Lisbon or a fino in Porto. A larger glass is a caneca. Lisbon and Porto both have good craft beer bars.

The big brands

• Super Bock: the best-selling beer, especially popular in the north.
• Sagres: its great rival, especially popular in Lisbon and the south.
• Coral: Madeira’s own beer.
• Especial: a beer from the Azores.

Locals are loyal to one or the other, and the Super Bock vs Sagres debate is a friendly rivalry.

How to order

• Imperial (Lisbon) / fino (Porto): a small glass of draught beer, around 20cl.
• Caneca: a larger mug, around 50cl.
• Mini: a small bottle, perfect in the heat.
• Sem álcool: alcohol-free versions are widely available.

Craft beer

Portugal’s craft beer scene has grown fast, with breweries and taprooms in Lisbon, Porto and beyond serving IPAs, sours and stouts. Look for craft beer bars in Lisbon’s Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, and in Porto’s centre. See Lisbon nightlife and Porto nightlife.

Beer and food

• Bifanas and pregos: classic with a cold imperial. See bifanas and pregos.
• Francesinha: see the francesinha.
• Seafood: shellfish and a cold beer at a cervejaria (beer hall). See the seafood guide.

Tips

• Prices: beer is cheap in local cafés and more expensive in tourist areas.
• Drinking outside: drinking in the street is common in nightlife areas, but local rules vary.

More: the Portuguese coffee guide and Portugal’s wine regions.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.