How to order a beer in Spanish

There are several ways to order a beer in Spanish, and they are not all intuitive to native English speakers learning Spanish for the first time. Some of them sound downright strange when translated literally. But, they are all acceptable ways to order a beer in a restaurant or bar in a Spanish-speaking country. So, if you are planning some travel or will be participating in a study abroad program where Spanish is spoken, and you want to know how to ask for a beer… Read on!

There are perhaps few things more satisfying than an ice-cold beer after a few plates of Spanish tapas.

Ordering beer in Spanish

In the bustling atmospheres of Spanish-speaking locales, the art of ordering a beer extends beyond the mere exchange of words; it’s a cultural rite, a social gesture that opens doors to shared moments and convivial experiences. Whether you find yourself in a vibrant tapas bar in Barcelona, a lively cantina in Mexico City, or any Spanish-speaking corner of the world, mastering the nuances of ordering a beer in Spanish adds a flavorful dimension to your travel or cultural experience. In this article, we embark on a journey through the phrases, etiquettes, and cultural intricacies that surround the seemingly simple act of requesting a beer. From the casual camaraderie of local taverns to the spirited atmosphere of cultural celebrations, understanding how to order a beer in Spanish is a delightful key that unlocks the doors to authentic connections and the heartwarming embrace of cross-cultural interactions. ¡Vamos a pedir una cerveza! (Let’s order a beer!)

Any of these are acceptable methods for ordering a beer in a Spanish-speaking country (although some are more commonly used than others).

How to order beer in Spain

Ordering beer in Spanish	English translation
Dame una cerveza, por favor	Get me a beer, please
Tomo una cerveza, por favor	I'll take a beer, please
Quiero una cerveza, por favor	I would like a beer, please
Ponme una cerveza, por favor	Put for me a beer, please
Me vas a poner una cerveza, por favor	You will put a beer for me, please
¿Me sirve una cerveza, por favor?	Will you serve me a beer, please?
¿Me pone una cerveza, por favor?	Will you get me a beer, please?
Una cerveza, por favor.	One beer, please
¿Puedo ver los tamaños?	Could I see the sizes you have?
¿Puede darme una cerveza por favor?	Could you get me a beer, please?
¿Me puede traer una cerveza, por favor?	Will you bring me a beer, please?

There are many different ways to order a beer in Spain (and other Spanish-speaking countries)

Related FAQ for “ordering a beer in Spanish”

After you’ve ordered your beer, here are a few other questions you may be asking yourself about beer culture in Spain.

What are some Spanish slang words for beer?

If you’re traveling to Spain or another Spanish-speaking country and you want to party, one of the first things you will want to know is “how do you say beer in Spanish slang?”

Spanish slang for beer

Slang term for beer	What it means	Where it's used
shop	big glass of beer	Chile
ballena	beer	Coast of Mexico
amargas	beer	Colombia
birrincha	beer	Colombia
pola	beer	Colombia
lagarto	beer (not specifically lager)	Cuba
láguer	beer (not specifically lager)	Cuba
amarga	beer (dated)	Mexico
bironga	beer	Mexico
birria	beer	Mexico
botellín	beer	Mexico
cachetonas de banqueta	beer	Mexico
caguabonga	beer	Mexico
caguama	large bottle of beer	Mexico
caguamon	beer	Mexico
cervezota	beer	Mexico
chelota	beer	Mexico
cheve	beer	Mexico
chevecha	beer (dated)	Mexico
chupe	beer	Mexico
fría	beer ("cold one")	Mexico
helada	beer	Mexico
milonga	beer	Mexico
nas serpientes	beer	Mexico
pisto	beer (also refers to other alcoholic drinks	Mexico
un mini	small beer	Mexico
verdanga	beer	Mexico
chela	beer	Mexico, Chile
chilindrina	beer	Peru
helena	beer	Peru
caña	glass of beer	Spain
cebada	beer	Spain
cepelín	beer	Spain
chato	small glass of beer	Spain
cortillo	beer	Spain
garimba	beer	Spain
levadura	beer	Spain
tanqúe	tankard of beer	Spain
tortuga	beer	Spain
trago	any drink	Spain
birra	beer	Spain, Colombia
rubia	large beer	Spain, Peru

You can also check out this more in-depth list of Spanish slang words.

How much is a beer in Spain?

The cost of a beer in Spain can vary depending on the city, the type of establishment, and the specific brand of beer. On average, a standard beer in a bar or restaurant may range from €1.50 to €3.50, but this can be higher in more touristy areas or upscale establishments. Additionally, factors such as the size of the beer, whether it’s draft or bottled, and the region within Spain can influence the cost. The overall average cost of a beer in Spain is €1.87. The price of beer in the supermarket is even lower than in bars, usually averaging below €1.00 depending on the brand.

Why is beer so cheap in Spain?

This is largely attributable to a difference in how taxes are determined. For example, Spain pays 4 cents per pint of beer, compared to 50 cents in taxes per pint of beer in England. The cost of labor in manufacturing and distribution is also lower, particularly than in the United States. Additionally, there are a number of larger local beer companies in Spain that are able to efficiently manufacture and distribute the beer locally, without having to import from American or central European countries. The other factor is that Spaniards just love to drink beer so much, that there is a consistent large demand, spreading the production costs out over a larger total market.

What are chelas in Spanish?

If you are at a bar or restaurant in a Spanish speaking country and you hear the word “chelas”, you might find yourself scratching your head. Try as you might, you’re unlikely to find it in your school vocabulary lists. That’s because “chelas” is a slang term for beer. It’s most commonly used in Mexico, Peru, and Chile, although you might hear it elsewhere as well.

Do you tip in bars in Spain?

Some people ask whether it is rude to tip in Spain? In many parts of Spain, tipping is considered optional, and it may not be very common to see. Some patrons will leave behind small change at cafés and bars, but a large tip is generally a surefire way to designate yourself as a tourist. One of the exceptions to this generalization is at fancy restaurants, where it is more acceptable to leave a gratuity for the staff.

What is the most popular beer in Spain?

If you’re at a bar in Spain and you’re reading the beer list, it’s entirely possible that you could find yourself not recognizing 80% or more of the options. Sure, many bars in Spain carry familiar international brands (Heineken, Amstel, Warsteiner, and so on) but there are also plenty of local options. If you’re wondering what beer you should order in Spain (or curious what the locals usually drink), here is a list of the most popular beers in Spain:

What beer do they drink in Spain?

Common beers in Spain

Beer	Commonly drank in	Brewed in	Manufactured by	Style	First introduced	Alcohol by volume	Famous for
Mahou	Madrid, Spain	Madrid, Spain	Mahou-San Miguel Group	Various	1890	Various	more than 50 top-quality brands, most common draft beer in Madrid
Estrella Damm	Barcelona, Spain	Barcelona, Spain	S.A. Damm	Pilsner Lager	1876	5.40%	oldest beer brand in Spain
Moritz	Barcelona, Spain	Barcelona, Spain	Cervezas Moritz, S.A.	Pilsner or Lager	1856 (re-launched in 2004)	Up to 7.2%	labeling is entirely in Catalan
Alhambra	Granada, Spain	Granada, Spain	Mahou-San Miguel Group	Pale lager	1925	4.6% - 6.4%	names after the famous palace and fortress complex in Granada
Estrella Galicia	Galicia, Spain	Galicia, Spain	Hijos de Rivera Brewery	Lagers	1906	Up to 7.2%	100 per cent family owned
Cruzcampo	Sevilla, Spain	Sevilla, Spain	Grupo Cruzcampo SA	Pilsner		Up to 6.5%	Purchased by Heineken in 1991

How strong is Spanish beer?

The vast majority of beer in Spain is between 4% and 5.5% alcohol by volume. It can be even more, but is extremely rarely any less than that.

The strength of Spanish beer can vary widely depending on the style and brand. Spain produces a diverse range of beers, including lagers, ales, and craft beers, each with its own alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage. As a general guideline:

Standard Lagers: Many commercially available lagers in Spain have an alcohol content ranging from around 4% to 6% ABV. These are typical session beers and are often served in bars and restaurants.

Craft Beers: Craft breweries in Spain have become increasingly popular, producing a variety of styles with varying alcohol content. Craft beers can range from lighter session ales with lower alcohol content to stronger IPAs, stouts, and Belgian-style beers with higher ABV, sometimes exceeding 10%.

Specialty and Regional Beers: Some regions in Spain have traditional beers with unique characteristics. These may include stronger and maltier brews with higher alcohol content.

It’s important to check the label or ask the server for the specific alcohol content of the beer you are interested in, as this information is usually provided on the packaging or in the menu. Additionally, individual preferences for beer strength can vary, so it’s advisable to explore different styles to find the ones that suit your taste.

What are the sizes of beer in Spain?

Sizes of beer in Spain

Spanish term	Amount of beer
Una caña	small glass of beer (slightly less than a half pint)
Un doble	a glass approximately double the size of a caña
Un cañón	a glass approximately double the size of a caña
Un corto	~100ml glass of beer
Un zurito	~150ml glass of beer
Un tercio	a 330ml bottle of beer
Una botella	a 330ml bottle of beer
Un tubo	a 330ml glass of beer
Una mediana	a third of a liter pr beer
Un quinto	a fifth of a liter of beer
Un botellín	a fifth of a liter (another word for quinto)
Un litro	one liter glass of beer
Un cachi	one liter glass of beer
Una maceta	one liter glass of beer
Una jarra	a tankard-sized glass of beer
Una clara	beer shandy made up of half beer and half lemonade
Una cerveza sin	alcohol-free beer

What is the drinking age in Spain?

The minimum drinking age in Spain is 18 years old (this includes bars, clubs, restaurants, and stores). The alcohol laws in Spain are fairly lax – in fact, people under the age of 18 are generally permitted to purchase beer or wine if they are accompanied by their parents. Furthermore, there is rarely enforcement of a minimum age for drinking alcohol while supervised inside the home. (Verify with your local laws).

That said, the drunk driving laws in Spain are very strict. The blood alcohol maximum limit in Spain is 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood, compared to .8 in Britain. It’s even lower if you drive a passenger vehicle or if you have had your driver’s license for less than 2 years. The penalty for drunk driving can be at least 3-6 months in prison, community service, a suspension of your licence, or a hefty fine.

How much do they drink in Spain?

Spaniards drink around 2.14 billion liters of beer every single year. Spain has roughly 101,397 bars, which works out to approximately one bar for every 458 people.

Does Spain have a bad reputation for local beer?

Some people have very strong negative feelings towards Cruzcampo and San Miguel, claiming that they are overly gassy. Generally speaking, many of the local beers brewed in Spain are considered quite delicious and do not have a negative reputation. Some bars will have very few options, perhaps even only one or two beers on tap. But this is not always the case. Unlike in some other European countries, Spanish beer is usually served very cold, which is welcome for most Americans. Often times, the glasses are even chilled.

How do you pronounce “cerveza” in Spanish?

How do you say ‘beer’ in Spanish?

Why is beer called Cerveza in Spanish?

You may have noticed that the word for beer in several other European languages is a cognate (beer, bier, birra, bière, etc.) So why, then, is Spanish beer called cerveza?

The answer is that the Spanish word for beer originally came from the medieval French word “cervoise”, which itself originated from the Gallo-Roman word “cerevisia”. This is in reference to Ceres, the Roman goddess of the harvest. Sometime after this tern migrated from French to Spanish, the French shifted to using “biere”, derived from the German word “bier”. After a time, Spain and Portugal were the only dialects still using cerveza (“cerveja” in Portuguese).

Before this, people living in the region that is now know as Spain formerly referred to beer as “ceria” or “celia”, an ancient Iberian word that meant “fermented wheat.”

What drink is Spain known for?

If beer is not quite your style, maybe you want to know how to order other drinks in Spanish.50% of the population of Spain claims to pick beer over any other alcoholic beverage. Outside of beer, there are a number if popular alcoholic drinks that are common in Spain. We recommend that any adventurous tourist (of legal drinking age of course!) tries at least a small sample of everything on this list.

What is a traditional Mexican drink?

One of the most well-known cocktails of Mexico is the margarita, a simple mix of tequila (the national liquor of Mexico), triple sec and lime juice, served with salt on the rim of the glass. They may be ordered either on the rocks, or frozen.

In conclusion, the simple act of ordering a beer in Spanish transcends the exchange of words; it becomes a cultural bridge, connecting individuals to the vibrant tapestry of Spanish-speaking communities. Through our exploration of the phrases and etiquettes involved in this seemingly straightforward interaction, we unveil the essence of shared moments and conviviality. Whether you find yourself in a bustling tapas bar in Madrid, a beachside cantina in Mexico, or any Spanish-speaking locale around the world, the ability to confidently order a beer reflects not only linguistic proficiency but also a genuine engagement with the local culture. So, as you raise your glass in a Spanish-speaking establishment, may the phrase “Una cerveza, por favor” be more than just a request; may it open doors to new connections, shared laughter, and the delightful embrace of cross-cultural camaraderie. ¡Salud! (Cheers!)

We hope that you enjoyed learning how to order beer in Spanish. For many beer lovers, learning the type of vocabulary that you can actually use out at a Spanish bar or in another real-life context is very motivating. That is one of the reasons that immersive experiences like study abroad or other travel excursions can be much more successful that an educational setting for many learners. [Spanish language learning apps] that mimic actual interactive Spanish dialogue can be invaluable tools as well.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in our guide on how to order food in Spanish. (By the way, it is very common for Spanish bars to offer tapas, or small plates of food – and they are DELICIOUS). Have a great time trying all of the local beers wherever you travel!

You may also enjoy these articles: Colors in Spanish
Goodnight in Spanish
Ahora in Spanish

Summary

Article Name

10 ways to order beer in Spanish (and sound like a local)

Description