Estrella Damm — the beer of Barcelona, brewed to the same 1876 recipe and still made within 160km of the city.
August Kuentzmann Damm arrived in Barcelona from Alsace and started brewing in 1876. The recipe has not meaningfully changed since: water, barley malt, rice and hops, with the rice giving the beer its lightness and that clean, dry snap at the end. Damm still sources its raw materials within 160km of the brewery, which is unusual at this scale. Fresh grainy malt up front, a touch of orchard fruit, then a peppery hop bitterness that clears quickly. It is the lager Barcelona drinks with lunch, and it does the same job here. A case of 24 × 330ml bottles.
Straight from the fridge, in a small glass.
What it was made for — croquetas, jamón, olives.
Paella, grilled prawns, fried fish.
Light enough to keep going all afternoon.
| Product | Estrella Damm |
| Style | Mediterranean pale lager |
| Strength | 4.6% ABV |
| Ingredients | Water, barley malt, rice & hops |
| Brewery | Damm, Barcelona — brewing since 1876 |
| Pack | 24 × 330ml bottles (7.92 litres) |
Twenty-four 330ml bottles — 7.92 litres in total.
4.6% ABV, roughly 1.5 UK units per bottle.
Rice has been in the recipe since 1876. It lightens the body and sharpens the finish, which is what makes the beer so drinkable in the heat.
Very cold, in a small glass poured fresh rather than one large one left to warm.