[EN] Zaragoza becomes the capital of craft beer this weekend: 150 varieties and twelve hours of festival

Zaragoza warms up for a weekend in which music, gastronomy and, above all, beer will be the protagonists. The Birragoza festival begins this Friday, August 28, its thirteenth edition, in which professionals and fans of craft beer will meet uninterruptedly for 12 hours.

The Story Center will host the event, which will run until Saturday 29. For the Minister of Culture, Sara Fernández, the festival has established itself as «a must-see event in the agenda of Zaragoza», which, thanks to its organizers, has managed to have «a whole culture around something that is part of our hallmark, because we are a beer city».

Organized and coordinated by the Birramigos Association, Cervezas Artesanas Lupus and the Zaragoza City Council, Birragoza will bring together a wide representation of craft breweries from the regional and national scene. The director of the festival, Sergio Ruiz, highlighted the participation of neighbouring communities, such as Navarre, the Basque Country and Catalonia, which will complement Aragonese produce.

Likewise, the offer will be completed with a selection of outstanding international beers within the craft sector, up to more than 150 varieties. For Ruiz, the objective of this event is «to bring beer from a friendly point of view and for the public to enjoy the varieties they offer». All this complemented by tastings, foodtracks and music.

FROM LAGERS TO LAMBICS

The festival will allow you to discover references belonging to the main beer families from lagers and ale to lambic, as well as different styles and elaborations with bitter, sweet, acidic, fruity, spicy, floral, citrus or toasted profiles. The brewers themselves will be in charge of attending the stands and explaining to the public the characteristics, ingredients and processes of each beer.

Birragoza thus maintains its objective of bringing the culture of craft beer closer to the public, favoring knowledge of its production processes and promoting moderate, responsible consumption linked to the quality of the product.

ACTIVITIES AND MUSIC

The program will begin on Friday, August 28, at 12:00 p.m., with a DJ Matu Rock session. From 4:30 p.m., Rastaul will offer a selection of funk, acid jazz, bossa nova, Latin, afrobeat and reggae.

One of the highlights of the day will come at 5:00 p.m. with the free opening of a cask (barrel) to celebrate the thirteenth edition of the festival. Then, at 5:15 p.m., the beer sommelier Guillem Laporta, from Homosibaris La Cebada, will lead a tasting of five craft beers. The music will continue with DJ Monkey Loops, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and again with DJ Matu Rock until closing.

On Saturday, August 29, DJ Matu Rock and Rastaul will open the musical program at 12:00 p.m. At 1:00 p.m. there will be a second tasting of five craft beers led by Guillem Laporta. During the afternoon DJ Monkey Loops will pass through the festival, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; El Conde Orlok, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Rastaul, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. DJ Matu Rock will provide music for the final stretch of this thirteenth edition.

The tastings are priced at 15 euros and places are limited. Reservations can be made through Cervezas Lupulus and by email. Information and registration will also be offered at the organization’s stand.

GASTRONOMY FOR ALL AUDIENCES

Throughout opening hours, Birragoza will have different food trucks and a varied gastronomic offer. The festival will include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives, as well as gluten-free craft beers and non-alcoholic draft beer.

To access the tastings it will be necessary to purchase a voucher of six euros, which includes the commemorative glass (essential to be served at the stands), the digital guide of the festival and a first drink at any of the participating breweries. The following tastings can be requested and paid for directly at each stall.