Directory: Castilla-La Mancha, land of craft beer

When it comes to craft beer, Castile-La Mancha is particularly important as one of the pioneering areas in Spain’s microbrewing movement. Spread across five provinces, it is home to some of the country’s earliest craft breweries. So, to help you find them for your trips, we’ve put together a list of the main Manchegan breweries below.

• Cervezas Llanura: brewery with taproom in La Roda (Albacete).
• Ilúnica: brewery in Hellín (Albacete).
• Cervezas del Pueblo / Manchuela: brewhouse in Casas‑Ibáñez (Albacete).
• Cervezas La Primera: brewery with taproom in Alcázar de San Juan (Ciudad Real).
• Cervezas Tormo: brewery in Cuenca.
• Vulturis: brewery in Quer (Guadalajara).
• Cerveza La Maldita: brewery in Herencia (Ciudad Real).
• Monkey Beer: brewery in Torrijos (Toledo).
• Speranto Beers: craft brewery and specialty beer shop in Toledo.
• Tian Beer: brewery in Pozoamargo (Cuenca).
• Arriaca Beers: brewery in Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara).
• Cerveza Ebora: brewery and restaurant in Pepino (Toledo).
• Cerveza Salvaje: brewery in Alcázar de San Juan (Ciudad Real).
• Media Fanega: brewery in Corral Rubio (Albacete).
• Cervezas 69 and Crazy Bee: brewery in Chinchilla de Monte Aragón (Albacete).
• Domus: brewery with taproom in Toledo.
• Cervezas Medina: brewery in Santa Cruz de La Zarza (Toledo).
• La Sagra: brewery with taproom in Numancia de La Sagra (Toledo).
• Dawat: brewery in Cuenca.

When we zoom in on the La Mancha market, we find several curiosities. It is striking that of the seven founders of the Spanish Association of Independent Craft Brewers (AECAI), four of them come from the land of Don Quixote: Domus, La Sagra, Dawat and Arriaca.

Furthermore, Arriaca proudly claims to be the first Spanish craft brewery to can its beers. In fact, they can be found both in bottles and cans not only in specialty shops, but also in most supermarkets.

Likewise, La Sagra was one of the first Spanish microbreweries to be sold to a major brewing group. This happened in January 2017, when Molson Coors Brewing Company acquired the company and at the same time granted it national distribution of its brands.

Now that you know the main craft breweries in Castilla La Mancha, all that’s left is to show up and visit them to enjoy the full beer experience. You’ll also find some nomadic producers who, although they don’t have their own brewery, still market their interesting creations. In any case, you can plan a route through the main beer temples in each province so you don’t miss a thing. Enjoy the best craft beer from La Mancha!