Madrid Beer Week

What: Beer Week

Where: Madrid and surrounding towns

When: November 21st to November 30th, 2014 

Madrid Beer Week kicks off this Friday with a large host of activities which will go on until the end of the month .

Although it isn't the first time that this type of initiative takes place in the city, it is the first time it exists with this name and in such a coordinated and extensive fashion. It's been organized by Cervecera Independiente, a sort of platform whose aim is to promote beer culture and small brewers, set up, ironically, by Mahou San Miguel, Madrid's own big brewer.

Mahou has been quietly working the past few years to develop a broader line of beers  than the Clásica, Cinco Estrellas and Negra (this last one impossible to find until recently) that they once boasted. They started by pushing their Mahou Negra on every bar bound by their exclusivity agreements (something pretty usual in Spain and another proof of this country's curious view on anti-trust legislation) and have now taken it one step further by developing what can best be described as their crafty beer line.

Composed of four different beers, Jacometrezo, Amaniel, Marcenado and Maravillas, named after four different streets of the city, these beers are commercialized under the brand Casimiro Mahou as a tribute to the company's founder. They will be available as a limited edition in certain specialized stores and specific bars and restaurants. This week however they will be widely available at the large variety of participating establishments, as part of individual tastings or paired meals.

Mahou's crafty line won't be the only beers available through Beer Week though. Great craft brewers like La Quince, Casasola, Fábrica Maravillas, Barbiere, Dougall's and many more have embraced this opportunity to showcase their creations and will play a big part in this week's festivities.

The complete list of activities taking place this week includes introductory courses to the world of craft beer, cooking and home brewing classes, tastings, presentations by different breweries (among them the Californian Anderson Valley or the German Schneider), beer and cheese pairings, tapa pairings or, for those wanting more, full-on paired menus, among many others.

These events will be taking place all over the Community of Madrid, with participating establishments in different neighborhoods like Chamberí, Malasaña, Lavapies, Chueca, Las Letras, Centro or Retiro and in other towns like Collado Villalba, Las Rozas or Torrelodones.

The full calendar of events can be found here, where you can also download a guide with all participating places, something that will prove very useful long after Madrid Beer Week is finished.