Staff Reporter
SPAIN may be the third-biggest producer of wine in the world, but it is beer that is the country’s preferred drink, with the average Spaniard guzzling an average of 58 litres of the amber nectar a year.
But with some 75% of the population regularly consuming beer, which brands are the nation’s favourites?
According to a study from the global consultancy firm Appinio, and reported by Spanish daily ABC, Estrella Galicia takes the top spot when it comes to Spaniards’ tastes – at least when it comes to Google searches.
Appinio reports that there are a total of 39,438 searches for the Galician brand of beer every month from Spain.
It is closely followed by Alhambra, which has its origins in the Andalusian city of Granada, and registers 17,400 searches a month.
And then Madrid brand Mahou, which sees 10,962 internet searches every month.
In fourth place is La Virgen craft beer, although the high number of searches for that brand could be because, unfortunately, it has had to cease production in the Madrid city of Las Rozas due to problems with the local council.
And in fifth place is San Miguel, a lager that comes from the same group that produces Mahou.
The Appinio study also reveals that Spaniards prefer beers due to the hot climate in the country and the drink’s cold temperature, while 82% of men consume it compared to 71% of women.
As for age groups, the drink is most popular among people aged from 43 to 58.
Ummm! Popularity of a product by counting the number of searches for it on a search engine is clearly not the same as popularity of a product by counting the number of people who consume it! All those beers mentioned in the article – not sure about the craft ale- are indeed fine beers. But for me Estrella Levante – which I have never searched for on any search engine – is the best Spanish beer – from Murcia! Save you having to look it up on Google!