Creating beer culture in the Basque Country through the union of great artisans
Producers and brewers of craft beer in the Basque Country have joined together to create the“euskal garagardo elkartea – Basque beer “. These producers are committed to a Basque beer with a future, a beer that is not only brewed in the Basque Country, but that all its components are produced in the Basque Country. The climate and the low cereal production in the Basque Country make this task difficult, but the Basque Country Beer Association already has a strategic plan defined, a plan on which they will work in the coming years.
Basque Country Beer Association
The euskal garagardo elkartea, is made up of 4 of the 10 brands that currently exist of craft beer in the Basque Country, although speaking with Jon Etxeandia, “lehendakari” (president) of the association, we have no doubt that it is only the beginning of a great adventure that will gradually be joined by each of the brands of beer in the Basque Country. The 4 brands that today make up this association are Gar&Gar, Baias Garagardotegia, Olañeta and Etxeandia garardauak.
The companies that produce craft beer in the Basque Country are young companies that are trying to gain a foothold in a growing sector. Most of these companies are small companies whose workers are members of their own families, all these families have a common denominator, to create the best home brewed beer in the Basque Country.
The breweries of these brands are located throughout the Basque Country, thus, we can find Gar&Gar and Olañeta in Gipuzkoa, Etxeandia garardauak in Bizkaia and Baias Garagardotegia in Alava. As you can see, the companies that make up the association are miles apart, but this does not change the fact that they fight for the same goal: a quality Basque beer.
turismovasco at etxeandia brewery
The beer association of the Basque Country invited us to visit any of its four breweries, we, for proximity, chose the company of its president, Jon Etxeandia of Etxeandia Garardauak. A visit that surprised us. During the visit we had the opportunity to see how Jon attended to about 10 people, all of them beer lovers who were interested in each of the steps that the juice follows until it becomes the final product. Friendliness, closeness and a lot of wisdom, that’s what these 10 people found during their visit to this craft brewery member of the beer association of the Basque Country. It is clear that these 4 brewers know very well how to treat their customers and the way to follow to make their way in this sector.
During the visit we saw how the members of this association produce beer, a totally artisanal process that requires the care of a newborn baby.
Craft beer creation process of the Basque Country
While we were at the brewery we did not miss the opportunity to take home 3 of Etxeandia’s beers, now, we still have to try the beers of the rest of the companies of the association.
etxeandia beers
The beer association of the Basque Country, does not rule out taking measures like those taken by other beer associations in European cities, where the beer brands themselves have opened their own beer establishments, thus giving the opportunity to taste the best craft beers of the Basque Country in one place, an idea that delights beer lovers of the Basque Country, for the moment, we have to wait.
As you can see, an association has been born that will bring many joys to beer lovers, if you do not know the brands we mentioned ….. what are you waiting for? contact them and ask them where you can try their craft beers!
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