OCTOBER 20 - 26, 2024
BARCELONA & BEYOND
TOUR OVERVIEW
Visitors flock to Catalonia, and especially its capital Barcelona, to explore castles, wander medieval alleyways, sip sangria and sample tapas. What most miss is its lively new craft beer scene. Joel Shelton got hooked over ten years ago, becoming the first and only US importer to offer a substantial selection of Catalonia’s fresh lagers, decadent sherry-barrel stouts, and effervescent indigenous-grape ales to American drinkers.
Now we’ll guide you to Barcelona’s best craft beer destinations, exploring as well the quirky breweries that have popped up in the mountain and farming towns of the beautiful Catalan countryside. We’ll also include some of the area’s finest wine, tapas, and sightseeing. Because Catalonia isn’t just about the beer, you know.
DAY 1
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2024
PRE-TOUR BAR-ÇELONA HOP
Hopefully all guests will have arrived in time to join Joel and Ana for an optional, introductory evening out in Barcelona. We’ll meet in the hotel in the late afternoon and from there take the Metro out to the Poblenou neighborhood to eat, drink and enjoy life like the locals.
We’ll hit popular craft bar Hoppiness for brew and tapas, then walk a few blocks to the beach (weather permitting) to witness a lovely Mediterranean sunset. From there we’ll amble back into the neighborhood to take in more local color (and beer) at the Garage Poblenou brewpub, and then it’s either a quick Metro ride back to the hotel or a scenic leisurely stroll into the city center for more adventure in the old town.
DAY 2
MONDAY OCTOBER 21, 2024
BIRTHDAY BREWS IN BARÇA
The tour proper kicks off with some essential Barcelona sightseeing. First we’ll explore a bit of the elegant Eixample neighborhood, home to many of the city’s most famous Gaudi buildings, before stepping onto famed boulevard Las Ramblas at its northern point. Along this walk we’ll occasionally veer off in either direction to take in key sights in the Raval or Gótico neighborhoods, including the magnificent Cathedral and world-famous Mercado. At lunchtime we’ll have our first official tour beers at Kaelderkold, the main tap house for the nearby Ølgod brewpub.
There will then be an optional siesta before we head out to the lively Poble-sec neighborhood, first to sample the excellent house brews at Pub Le Sec and then the famed pintxos on the pedestrian street Carrer de Blai. Then it’s time to celebrate fearless leader Joel’s birthday at Barcelona’s most legendary beer bar, BierCab. The pints and tapas here should see us through the night, but one never knows in Barcelona.
DAY 3
TUESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2024
CATALAN GRAPE & GRAIN
The morning and midday is free for guests to explore and grab a bite, but at 1:00 we’ll board our private coach and head for the hinterlands. Our first stop is the remarkable winery Mascaró, where we’ll tour the ancient cellars and learn the secrets of cava (Catalan sparkling wine) production. After checking in to our rustic hotel, we’ll spend a thoroughly memorable evening at Masia Agullons, exploring the farmhouse brewery, enjoying homemade tapas, and toasting legendary brewer Carlos Rodriguez as he belts out Catalan folk songs.
DAY 4
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2024
PRIESTS, PIRATES & PORRÓNS
Our second day in the Catalan countryside begins with a death-defying drive up to the legendary mountaintop Montserrat Abbey, where we’ll take a tour that includes a tasting of the monastery’s own liqueur along with some marvelous, breathtaking views. Then we’ll roll back down the mountain to visit one of Catalonia’s favorite and most-awarded craft breweries, La Pirata. Later, after checking into our apartment-hotel in historic Manresa, we’ll be treated to a fantastic regional wine and beer dinner hosted by La Pirata’s brewer Aran Leon and local beer industry legend/overall character Xavi Serra.
DAY 5
THURSDAY OCTOBER 24, 2024
FUNK & PUNK IN THE MOUNTAINS
Our third epic day in the country leads off with a unique Kombucha tasting and picnic stop at l’Horta Ferments, an organic farm. From there it’s a dramatic drive up into the foothills of the Pyrenees for a memorable tour and tasting at “punk” brewery La Calavera, who specialize in barrel aged wild ales. After our hotel check-in we’re right back on the road and off to Cervesera del Montseny, where we’ll tour the brewery, taste some fine brewpub tapas, and optionally join local brewery fans for a late night at the bar.
DAY 6
FRIDAY OCTOBER 25, 2024
Old World, New Destinations
Early risers will absolutely want to take a walk through the stunning medieval old town of Vic, which boasts a surprisingly impressive number of significant historical structures and an ancient working market square. But after check-out we’re quickly back on the bus and returning to Barcelona. Our hotel being just a few minutes’ walk away from our next destination, we’ll make an early luggage drop-off before strolling over to the city’s trendiest brewery, La Textil. We’ll take a selection of shared tapas and a couple pints at this American-inspired brewpub before checking into the hotel.
There will be a bit of free time then but soon we’ll embark on a leisurely but always-eventful stroll through the Gótico neighborhood, our destination being the seaport area and BlackLab Brewery. Here we’ll meet the American-expat brewer and then sit down to a cosy outdoor final tour dinner. And from here we’re perfectly situated for a post-tour crawl through the atmospheric old neighborhood of El Born.
DAY 7
SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2024
ADÉU, OR PARTY ON
Those who remain in Barcelona post-tour have the rare option of attending MASH, Spain’s most prestigious international craft beer festival. Those who’ve had enough of beer will find more than enough to occupy themselves in town, or may choose to take a short train ride to the lovely seaside town of Sitges. And for anyone returning to the U.S. or moving on to other points in Spain or Europe today, ICBT staff will be on hand to assist with any travel needs, or just say farewell!
CATALONIA 2024 TOUR PRICING
$2050
PER PERSON, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
(ADD $300 FOR SINGLE OCCUPANCY)
**Tour prices are per person and do not include airfare.
*Single occupancy rooms are limited.
More information about the destinations
we'll visit on our Catalonia Tour
**Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented on this webpage. Inner Circle Beer Tours (ICBT) is not responsible for errors in or damages resulting from use of the information contained herein. Information contained on this webpage is subject to change without notice.**
