There’s nothing more refreshing than sitting down with a nice cold glass of beer, especially in the beautiful climate we enjoy here in the Algarve, but do you understand what measurements you are ordering when you go to the bar!
The classic glass of beer, or cerveja, has been enjoyed in Portugal since the days of the former Roman province known as Lusitania. Once a process to purify drinking water, beer has become the “go-to” drink for many on a hot sunny day.
The word cerveja (beer) can be traced back to the Latin word cerevisia, and is not to be confused with its Spanish counterpart cerveza. It’s worth remembering that we don’t say cerveza (ther-vay-tha) like the Spanish. In Portuguese, we say cerveja (sir-vay-jah).
Although typical ales are available in Portugal, when ordering a draft beer, you will more than likely receive a glass of lager. Modern-day breweries began to pop up in Portugal during the 19th century. With the protection of national breweries from foreign control under the Estado Novo led by António Salazar, only a handful of national lagers are available.
Two national companies have dominated the market in Portugal for decades. Sociedade Central de Cervejas, S.A., which produces Sagres, and Unicer-Bebidas de Portugal, S.A. which produces Superbock, were established after the 1974 military coup when the industry was nationalised. Both companies were privatised in the 1990s and now control over 90% of the Portuguese beer market.
By 2003, Portugal had seven major breweries, employing approximately 1,848 people, and around one hundred smaller breweries dedicated to the production of craft beer. That said, here in Portugal you will almost always be offered Sagres or Superbock, or maybe occasionally Crystal. The debate as to which brand is better is a matter of personal opinion, but no matter what brand of beer you prefer, the question remains: what measurement should one order, as knowing the difference between varieties can be something of a minefield.
While I like to think of myself as a beer connoisseur, even I can’t keep up with the numerous measurements of beer on offer, so to help the beer lovers among us, I present to you the ‘Encyclopedia of Portuguese Beer’ – well, its measures at least.
Uma caneca
Starting with the king of draft beers, the caneca (a mug) is the closest to a traditional British pint. At 50 cl, it is slightly smaller than a British pint (568 ml) and larger than an American pint (473 ml). It is one of the most common drafts available in Portugal. But watch out, you may find the actual quantity in your caneca can vary from 40 cl to the full British pint, depending on the establishment.
[Pronounced: can-eh-ka]
Uma imperial
This measurement is the closest thing to a half pint in Portugal. Measuring 20 cl, the imperial is generally the standard beer size to order in Portugal, often favoured over the caneca as its warming temperature is much slower. Imagine, on a hot day a larger measurement will be warm by the time you finish it – surely it’s better to drink smaller quantities! Bottled beer also generally comes in 20 cl measurements, commonly known as a mini. If you’re ordering an imperial in the north, in cities such as Porto, then you can ask for um fino. It’s the same measurement, just a variation of the same word.
[Pronounced: “im-peer-ee-al unless ordering two, then it’s duas imperias (im-peer-ee-eyesh)]
Uma garrafa
Garrafa literally means a bottle, so if you’re in a bar that only offers bottled beers, you would ask for uma garrafa de … followed by your chosen brand. Often you will be asked if you want a big beer (33 cl) or a small beer (mini).
Um lambreta
If you’re looking for something a little smaller than an imperial (or fino), you can ask for a lambreta. At 15 cl, it’s a nice alternative, especially if you’re planning on driving home, but I have yet to meet anyone who has asked for a lambreta in a bar.
Uma girafa
The girafa is the beer of all beers. While not overly common, the girafa measures one litre and is probably the largest beer one can get in Portugal, that’s if you can find an establishment that sells this measure. It’s the perfect size to keep you on your toes all night, although after a couple of these, you might want to call a taxi home.
Um panaché
If you’re looking for something similar to a shandy, you can always ask for a panaché. Whilst the name is taken from French, the panaché is a mix of Sprite or 7Up mixed with lager. If you want to take it a step further, adding some currant juice to create a fruity beer is known as a tango.
Um príncipe
Meaning prince in English, the príncipemeasures approximately 30 cl but is served in a taller glass than an imperial, with a flared rim.
Uma tulipa
The tulipa is not so much a measurement; it’s simply the name of the glass due to its shape which loosely resembles a tulip. Measuring 20 cl, the same as a standard imperial, asking for a tulipa seems to add a little elegance to a beer drinking. You’re more likely to find this glass available in an upmarket restaurant than in your local cervejeira (beer house).
Did you know?An informal name for a beer is a bejeca.
Please note: If you’re hitting the bar, always keep in mind that Portugal has quite a strict drink-drive limit of 0.5 g/l (50 mg per 100 ml), so if you don’t want to feel the strong hand of the law, you might want to order that taxi home.
Whether you prefer Sagres or Superbock, or fancy anything from a caneca to a lambretta, you now know how to order a beer in Portugal. All that’s left is to raise your glass and wish one another saúde or cheers.
