Walter Finch
SPAIN may be struggling to produce Olympic athletes, but they can certainly brew a beer.
While currently standing 26th in the medal table in Paris, a little-known Spanish beer took the gold medal in Portugal.
Ambar Especial, a lager brewed in Zaragoza, won in the International Lager category at the prestigious World Beer Challenge in the Portuguese city of Estoril.
It scooped a perfect score of 100 out of 100 from the 125 judges at the event.
They especially praised its unique brewing process, which uses freshly ground hops to preserve its aromatic profile and even give a welcome hint of bitterness.
The World Beer Challenge is one of the most respected beer competitions in the world, with judges from 29 countries.
The fact that Ambar Especial triumphed over thousands of other beers is a significant achievement for the Spanish brewing industry.
Beyond Ambar Especial, the Aragon-based brewery also took home a total of 15 medals, demonstrating the exceptional quality of their entire range.
Ambar Export continued its winning streak by clinching the gold medal in the German-Style Bock category for the eighth consecutive year.
Meanwhile, Ambar 10, recognised in the strong beers category, upgraded its 2023 silver medal to gold with an impressive 99 points in 2024.
This international recognition is expected to boost tourism in the region, as beer enthusiasts from around the world make their way to Aragon to sample the award-winning brews.
