The Montjuïc fairgrounds have completed preparations to host, starting this Friday, a new edition of the Barcelona Beer Festival (BBF). The event, which will occupy 7,000 square meters of Hall 2, has come into its own with a concept that pairs craft beer with fine dining. In total, visitors will have access to a selection of nearly 500 varieties from around the world.
The organizers have designed a program where gastronomy takes center stage. The main new feature this year has been the creation of the pop-up restaurant Maridaje 6×6, a joint initiative with Girona Excel·lent. Under the direction of chef Jordi Àvila and food writer Pep Nogué, the venue will offer a signature menu combining six dishes made with products from the Girona region and six local craft beers.
A hop lover’s paradise
The BBF will reinforce its global scope with the presence of historic figures and emerging projects. Notable among the participants is Pierre Gobron, co-founder of La Chouffe, who will bring the prestige of Belgian tradition. From the United Kingdom, the Queer Brewing project will combine its pale ales and sours with activities promoting LGTBIQ+ visibility, while Peru’s 7 Vidas will present eight award-winning brews led by its founder, Marco Málaga.
The European scene will feature two main highlights. On one hand, an Italian delegation comprising creative brands such as Renton and 50&50 Brewing. On the other, the Cantabrian brewery Dougall’s will celebrate its 20th anniversary with its traditional cask ale service and special collaborations for the occasion.
Partnership between chefs and brewers
The Gastronomic Classroom will host various activities led by industry professionals. Chef Jordi Esteve, from the restaurant Nectari, will demonstrate the integration of beer into Michelin-starred cuisine. Additionally, the winner of the Joc de Cartes program, Toni Romero, will present a culinary demonstration featuring the artichoke as the central ingredient.
The event will also maintain its international character. The fair will feature the Peruvian brewery 7 Vidas and the British project Queer Brewing, which links craft production with raising the visibility of the LGTBIQ+ community. Additionally, the Italian delegation and the Belgian delegation, led by Pierre Gobron, will bring European tradition to the exhibition as a whole.
Recognition for the sector
The opening day on April 10 will feature the Barcelona Beer Challenge gala at 6:30 p.m. In this eleventh edition of the competition, a jury will award the 159 medals corresponding to the 53 categories in competition. The competition has attracted 867 beers from 139 different breweries across 14 countries, a fact that reinforces Barcelona’s position as a hub for the craft beer sector in Southern Europe.
Meanwhile, the Euskadi Basque Country brand will have its own space to showcase Basque specialties and its local cider. This collaboration is part of the spirit of cross-border cooperation that the festival has fostered through projects between Catalonia and the French region of the Pyrénées-Orientales via the European Poctefa program.
