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Put down the port wine, it’s time to discover Porto Craft Beer! Still a relatively new concept in the city, drinking Craft Beer in Porto, Portugal is growing in popularity with locals and tourists alike. With several dedicated craft beer bars in Porto, hops enthusiasts can sample a wide range of fully flavored, locally produced brews.
With our hop-loving palates, we were all too happy to inject ourselves into the Porto craft beer scene. To help other beer aficionados on their visit, we are highlighting the Best Porto Beer Bars devoted to craft brew!
Porto Craft Beer vs Established Portuguese Beer
First, let’s talk a little history; don’t worry it’s beer history! For many years, drinking Portugal local beer meant swigging a Sagres (produced near Lisbon) or a Super Bock (made in Porto). While these well-recognized Portuguese beers are ingrained in the Porto drinking culture, they are far from the best beer made in the country.
Yet, the big brands have had a firm hold on the Portuguese drinking infrastructure for decades, which has made it challenging for microbrewers to enter the market.
Super Bock…Craft Beer?
As the craft beer revolution gained momentum, Super Bock was quick to launch their own attempts under the brands Coruja (owl in Portuguese) and Super Bock Selection 1927.
While we find the Coruja IPA to be pleasant enough, it lacks the punch and passion that goes into real small-batch Porto craft brews.
Craft Beer Portugal: Cerveja Artesanal
Swiftly, the tides are changing in the Porto beer market. Drinking local beer in Portugal no longer refers only to Super Bock. Portuguese craft brewers are carving their way into the Porto beer culture by producing inventive and delicious beers that far surpass the big beer companies’ offerings.
To bring craft beer to the people, establishments committed to serving only craft brews are popping up around Porto. On a mission to taste the best Portuguese beers, we sought out the Top Craft Beer Bars in Porto!
Our 12 Favorite Porto Craft Beer Bars
This list of Porto Craft Beer Bars includes our favorite places to have a hoppy concoction in the city. For each Craft Beer Porto location, we include a brief description and a map link with reviews so that fellow brew-enthusiasts can easily plot their craft bar crawl.
At the end of the article, we provide a Porto Beer Bar Map that marks all of our recommended locations.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Porto Craft Beer Guide for your Vacation to Portugal!
#1 Catraio Craft Beer Shop Porto
MAP. Catraio Craft Beer Porto may be labeled as a ‘beer shop’ but it really is so much more! With a friendly, easy-going atmosphere, it’s one of the best places to enjoy true Portuguese craft beer.
The Catraio Craft Beer Bar (and shop) was the first of its kind in the city – and they are credited as being the pioneers in Porto craft beer. Catraio remains one of the prime places to drink craft brew in Porto!
They offer 10 beers on tap and more than 100 local and international craft brews in bottles and cans (for on-site consumption or take-away). Their passion for craft beer is evident in their knowledgeable staff and exciting rotating tap list. Located on a lovely Porto pedestrian street, if the weather is good, don’t miss the Catraio Beer Garden out back!
#2 Letra Craft Beer Porto
MAP. Letra Cerveja hails from the northern Portugal municipality of Vila Verde, near the lovely city of Braga. Producing quality brews since 2013, Letra is one of the leaders in the Portugal craft beer movement. Their base range of beers are each named after a letter (Letra in Portuguese): A is Blonde Ale, B is Bohemian Pilsner, C is a tasty Oatmeal Stout – and so on. Surprise, surprise, the Letra F American IPA is our personal favorite!
The Letraria Craft Beer Garden Porto taproom is one of the coolest places to drink craft brew in the city. Visitors are welcomed off the street into the cozy ground floor bar and issued a card to track their purchases (you will pay here as well when you leave).
Now on to the real gem; the beautiful beer garden that is accessed via the nearly hidden basement bar! Letraria offers 20 beers on tap – and an additional 100 brews in cans and bottles. If you’re feeling peckish, they also have a full menu of bar snacks and pub meals.
#3 Armazem da Cerveja Brewpub
MAP. Armazem da Cerveja – or Beer Warehouse – is a fun place where friends and beer lovers come to hang out and drink good beer. In the shop at the front of the bar, craft beer from around the world fills the shelves for you to peruse for takeaway. Behind the bar, there are 12 beers on rotating taps from Portugal and all around Europe.
The inviting pub has a jovial vibe and friendly bartenders as well as a small garden. They now also offer a variety of bar snacks and charcuterie boards. In addition to board games, there are fun events on select nights, too.
#4 Cervejaria do Carmo, Craft Beer House Porto
MAP. Transformed from a cafe restaurant into a Porto beer bar in 2017, Cervejaria do Carmo features an impressive selection of Portuguese craft brews alongside popular international craft beer brands. They offer 15 beers on draft – as well as a massive selection of chilled cans and bottles – and a nice menu of traditional Portuguese bar snacks.
One of the best things about Craft Beer House Cervejaria do Carmo is the prime location facing the Igreja do Carmo – a stunningly beautiful Porto church covered in the classic blue Portuguese azulejo tiles.
The Carmo Church is one of the stops on our free Self-Guided Porto Walking Tour!
#5 Fábrica Nortada
MAP. Boasting a bright and modern setting, Fabrica Nortada, serves up a variety of Porto craft beers. The story behind the beer began between two friends in 2015, with official launch of the brand in 2017.
The brew pub opened in 2018 and Fabrica Nortada has been brewing up a storm ever since. They also offer a full food menu, from bites to sharing plates to classic Portuguese main dishes, but the Porto Craft Beer is the highlight here.
#6 Colossus Taproom Porto
MAP. Established in 2015, Colossus Craft Brewery produces their line of beers a short stroll from the heart of Porto. An informal taproom occupies the front of the brewery, where visitors can get a taste of what is brewing in the back. The industrial space is sure to have rock music cranked up and the staff are super welcoming.
Their signature beer – Wonderlust – is a great Portuguese version of a Westcoast IPA. We were also intrigued by their other range of creative brews under the D’os Diabos brand – like the No Puns Rye IPA (a collab with Heist Brewing in the UK) and the Slainte Irish Red Ale.
#7 Musa das Virtudes
MAP. Popular Lisbon craft brewers, MUSA, have expanded to the north! Already producing an impressive 52 beers, MUSA recently opened this tap room and beer patio in front of one of the best scenic viewpoints in Porto.
While minimalist indoors, the views from the outdoor seats are top spots for an amazing sunset while enjoying your Porto craft beer!
#8 A Fabrica da Picaria Craft Beer Bar Porto
MAP. At A Fabrica da Picara, they brew on-site with the sole intention of serving what they brew in a glass – there is no bottling or canning and their beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized. The brewing takes place in the basement and the tanks are prominently featured. The space also offers an elevated outdoor terrace and a street-side patio.
They brew a line up of both standard and creative beers – with something always fermenting in the tanks. Additionally, they have a menu of traditional Porto food and bar snacks to accompany their beers.
#9 Bao Bab Craft Beer Bar
MAP. Fairly new to the Porto Craft Beer scene, Bao Bab is a welcome addition! Run by a passionate and personable Portuguese/Slovakian couple, this place always has a vibe.
The six rotating taps usually feature at least one local offering and a diverse selection from across Europe. The music is on point as well!
#10 Alvares Brewery Taproom, Porto
MAP. Located right next door to Bao Bab, it’s pretty much impossible to miss the Alvares Brew Taproom! In addition to their own award winning craft beer creations, several other local and regional brews are available on tap and in can or bottle.
The indoor space is actually quite large by Porto Craft Beer Bar standards, plus they have tables out front and a garden in the back.
#11 Hop Trip Craft Beer Shop
MAP. Another new entrant offering craft beer in Porto, Hop Trip just opened it’s doors 2022. Located in the Matosinhos district that is best known for it’s seafood restaurants, this spot is worth the trip.
Run by a Brazilian family who relocated to Portugal (by way of Ireland), Hop Trip pours a tasty selection of craft brew from an impressive 15 taps and tasty bar snacks, including chicken croquettes, are available too!
#12 Cask Beer
MAP. We initially skipped out on Cask because of the name. We’re not big fans of classic English Real Ales served at room temperature, and that’s what came to mind when we saw Cask.
Fortunately we’re scrappy when it comes to craft beer, and realized we were wrong about Cask. It’s actually a craft beer shop and tap room for Tough Love Brewing from Esmoriz, a town to the south of Porto. In addition to their own creations, they have several crafts on tap from around Europe and loads more bottled and canned.
Porto Beer Fest
The Porto Beer Fest is an annual event celebrating local and international craft beer. Featuring tastings, food pairings, workshops and shows, the Beer Fest in Porto attracts visitors from around the world.
The festival typically takes place in June, but they have recently added an Octoberfest-style event. Get all the latest information on their official Facebook Page.
Need more tips for Things To Do in Porto? Find all of our advice in our Porto Itinerary!
Where To Find Craft Beer in Porto
Use this Google Map to route your way to the Best Craft Beer in Porto. All of our featured spots can be reached on foot, with the exception of Hop Trip, which is a 30 minute Metro ride from Trindade Station.
Local Beer pairs perfectly with Local Food! Get all our top picks in our Porto Foodie Guide!
Craft Beer Porto Tours
Using our recommendations and map, craft beer enthusiasts can simply create their own Porto Craft Beer Tour! However, for those who prefer to let a guide lead the way can join a wildly popular Porto Craft Beer and Food Tour.
On this 3-hour tour participants learn about the history of craft beer in Portugal, get a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process, sample Porto craft beer from four locations and enjoy traditional Portuguese bar snacks, too. Reserve your spot!
Preparing a Portugal Vacation? Great! Check out our 3-Day Lisbon Itinerary (including a Day Trip To Sintra) along with What To Do on Madeira Island and Visiting the Azores!
Start planning your trip to Portugal! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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