December is here, and the days are getting colder. To warm both body and soul, we decided to head to Spain — a sunny country and home to La Virgen Brewery, which has a unique and inspiring story. Let’s dive in…
Pino – La Virgen Craft beer
About La Virgen brewery
When Ana, Jaime, and César first met at an advertising agency in San Francisco, they never imagined that just a few years later they would be running one of the most successful craft breweries in Europe. United by their shared passion for beer, they launched their brewing adventure in 2011 after returning to Madrid. With dedication and creativity, La Virgen Brewery quickly became one of the most admired breweries in the Spanish capital.
Today, more than 50 passionate team members work at La Virgen, all united by a single mission: brewing the best craft beer in Spain. Using only the finest natural ingredients and a meticulous brewing process, the brewery has grown from producing just 500 hectolitres in 2011 to over 10,000 hl by 2018, making it one of the country’s largest independent craft beer producers. Their goal for 2019 was even more ambitious: 20,000 hl.
The Vienna Lager style
The Vienna Lager is a historic beer style that showcased the potential of bottom fermentation in Europe. Known for its clean, crisp character, it quickly became one of the most popular beer styles in Germany and beyond. Although its widespread popularity lasted only about 60 years, it continues to thrive in Austria as a niche specialty. The style was pioneered by Anton Dreher and Gabriel Sedlmayr, who experimented with malt roasting techniques and lager yeast to create a copper-colored beer with a smooth, malty profile.
First introduced in 1841, Vienna Lager is typically orange to amber with reddish hues, crowned by a thick off-white head. Its aroma reveals notes of toasted malt, caramel, and bread, with subtle floral and spicy hop accents. On the palate, Vienna Lager offers a balance of caramel sweetness, roasted malt, and gentle bitterness, delivering a crisp, dry finish.
Pino – La Virgen’s Pine-Infused craft beer
Pino is La Virgen’s unique interpretation of the Vienna Lager style, brewed with fresh pine needles. When poured, it displays a deep amber color with a creamy white head. Aromas include toasted multigrain bread, pink guava, brown sugar, caramel, and hints of smoked almonds and bread crust. The flavor profile is rich yet delicate, featuring notes of caramel, honey, roasted almonds, and pine, creating a festive, almost Christmas-like finish. Smooth carbonation and low bitterness make this craft beer exceptionally drinkable.
Food pairing
Pino by La Virgen pairs perfectly with hearty dishes such as burgers, barbecued meats, pepperoni, or sauerkraut. For the best tasting experience, serve it in a flute or tulip glass at 6–8°C.
Discover other beers and breweries : The White Hag, the supernatural Irish brewery, Saison Sur Mer, beer from the Portuguese brewery Dois Corvos and Sakura beer from the Spanish brewery Nomada.
