After a hectic start to the year at the brewery, launching Anthem in can, seeing our first low/no beer in Proper Job 0.5% go from strength to strength and unveiling a business rebrand, to name a few things to kick off 2025, the anticipation for a summer break in Ibiza was much needed.
That glorious moment when you slide out of the pool and call for a crisp, cold lager at 2pm, just because you can.
Estrella Damm rightly dominates the beer scene in the Balearic Islands. Rosa Blanca, which originated in Majorca in 1927, and Estrella Levante were staples in bars across the islands and readily available in restaurants, typically in bottles.
Immaculately served
That sweet malt flavour and crisp, low bitterness meant the first half never quite touched the sides - even being served in a 2008 Carling glass by my little pool bar couldn’t detract from the experience – don’t judge me!
However, elsewhere in Ibiza, it was striking how all the beers were immaculately served in branded glassware. Ice-cold halves arrived in stemmed glasses, while pints were poured into either traditional dimples or modern handled versions; both ideal for the 32°C+ heat. A simple but important detail that elevated the experience.
I’d spotted a local craft beer bar in the small town we stayed in on the north-east of the island but, to my dismay, it had long since closed.
To add insult to injury, after experiencing Ibiza’s iconic clubbing scene in the blazing heat, I was stunned to pay €18 for a Heineken. Its one saving grace was it was served in an ice-cold metal bottle. Refreshing; and at 95% water, arguably a decent rehydration option after all the dancing.
British beer garden
Of course, no holiday drinks menu is complete without a generous jug of sangria, perfect for washing down the beautiful local fare, along with a chilled glass of the lovely Albariño wine.
By day six, however, I was craving a pint of something other than lager. And with the weather back home almost on par with Ibiza’s balmy highs, I found myself yearning for one thing: a proper pint in a sunny British beer garden.
Be it a chilled korev at a beach bar, waves rolling in at sunset, a cellar-cooled Hicks in a traditional pub garden, or even a Mena Dhu — yes, stout in summer! Confined to colder months far too often, Mena Dhu’s rich and indulgent character, thanks to its six-malt blend, is also surprisingly refreshing. Serve it straight from the fridge in a handled or stemmed glass, and you’ll keep it cool — just like those perfectly poured Ibizan lagers.
