Catalonia’s Hidden Hops: A Guide to the Best Perpignan Craft Beer Bars and Bottle Shops.
Perpignan, the sun-drenched capital of French Catalonia, is a city whose name is synonymous with the rich, powerful wines of the Roussillon. It is a landscape dominated by vineyards, a culture steeped in viticulture. But for the curious traveller with a taste for grain over grape, a delicious secret is fermenting beneath the surface. The global craft beer revolution has found a firm foothold here, creating a small but passionate scene of specialist bars, bottle shops, and local breweries. This is more than just a search for a good pint; it’s a journey to discover the city’s modern, rebellious spirit. So, let this be your guide to finding those hidden hops, tapping into the local scene, and uncovering the very best of Perpignan’s craft beer world.
The Dedicated Beer Pubs: Perpignan’s Hoppy Heartlands
These are the essential destinations for any beer enthusiast, the bars where a diverse and well-kept tap list is a point of pride.
Le Papalynès
Often the first name mentioned by locals when asked about craft beer, Le Papalynès is a true pioneer of the scene in Perpignan. This welcoming, unpretentious pub has the comfortable feel of a local that takes its beer very seriously. The main draw is its excellent and ever-changing selection of beers on tap, which consistently showcases a brilliant mix of local French craft, Belgian classics, and interesting international finds. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate, so don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation or a taster—it’s the best way to navigate the ever-changing tap list and find a new favourite. It is the perfect starting point for any beer tour of the city, an authentic pub where the quality in the glass speaks for itself.
L’Apotecari
With its intriguing name and cool, characterful interior, L’Apotecari feels like a modern-day apothecary prescribing remedies in liquid form. This stylish bar has earned a fantastic reputation for its thoughtfully curated selection of craft beers, both on tap and from a well-chosen bottle and can menu. It is a place where you are just as likely to discover a hazy IPA from a small Parisian brewery as you are a classic German lager. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, attracting a discerning crowd who appreciate the care and attention that goes into its beer list.
Beer’s & Co
A more recent but very welcome addition to Perpignan’s scene, Beer’s & Co offers a modern, friendly, and spacious environment to enjoy a great pint. It successfully blends the feel of a contemporary bar with the heart of a beer-focused pub. They boast an impressive number of taps, ensuring a wide variety of styles are always available, from refreshing pilsners to complex stouts. They also serve a popular menu of burgers and tapas-style food designed to complement the beers, making it an excellent all-in-one destination for a casual dinner and a few good drinks.
The Specialist Experience: Concepts and Cellars
Beyond the classic pub, Perpignan offers unique beer experiences and specialist shops for the dedicated enthusiast. These are places where the concept or the sheer choice on offer elevates the simple act of buying or drinking beer into a memorable activity.
Delirium Café
The iconic pink elephant has arrived in Perpignan, and for lovers of Belgian beer, the Delirium Café is a must-visit. This world-famous franchise brings a slice of Brussels to French Catalonia, offering an encyclopaedic menu of Belgian beers. From world-renowned Trappist ales like Chimay and Rochefort to fruity lambics, strong golden ales, and, of course, the potent Delirium Tremens itself, the selection is staggering. While not focused on the local craft scene, it is an essential stop for anyone wanting to explore the classic beer culture of Belgium.
Au Fût et à mesure
For a completely different and highly interactive experience, head to Au Fût et à mesure. This innovative bar concept allows you to be your own bartender. Each table is equipped with its own beer taps, and you are given a card that you top up and use to pour your own beer as you please, paying by the centilitre. It is a fun, social, and novel way to sample a variety of different brews without having to queue at the bar. The selection typically features a mix of popular lagers and a few more interesting craft options.
My Beers Perpignan
Part of a popular French chain, My Beers Perpignan is a large, warehouse-style establishment that functions as both a bar and a massive bottle shop (cave à bière). With hundreds of different beers from all over the world lining the shelves and a solid selection of rotating taps at the bar, it is a fantastic destination for choice and variety. You can enjoy a fresh pint in the lively bar area or spend time browsing the aisles to find rare bottles and new discoveries to take away.
Le Comptoir de la Bouteille
A true specialist cellar, Le Comptoir de la Bouteille is a haven for anyone who loves finely crafted drinks. While they have an excellent selection of wine and spirits, they also dedicate significant shelf space to a fantastic range of craft beers. This is the place to go to find high-quality, artisanal products. The staff are typically very knowledgeable and can help you find a specific style or recommend a local gem you might not find elsewhere. It is the perfect stop for picking up a special bottle as a gift or a treat for yourself.
IN A LAND CELEBRATED FOR ITS WINE, DISCOVERING PERPIGNAN’S PASSIONATE CRAFT BEER SCENE IS LIKE FINDING A REFRESHING, HOPPY OASIS—A MODERN, FLAVOURFUL COUNTERPOINT TO ITS ANCIENT VINES.
A Taste of the Terroir: Local and Regional Breweries
To truly understand the local scene, it is worth seeking out beers brewed right here in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Brasserie de l’Albera
Located in the nearby coastal town of Argelès-sur-Mer, a short trip from Perpignan, Brasserie de l’Albera is one of the region’s most established and respected craft breweries. They produce a fantastic core range of beers, often with a Catalan twist, as well as seasonal specials. Finding their beers on tap in a Perpignan bar is a real treat. Look for their distinctive logo on tap handles—it’s your signpost to tasting a truly local product, brewed with water from the Albères mountains that form the backdrop to the coast.
Brasserie L’Art de la Joie
Another fantastic local producer, Brasserie L’Art de la Joie, based in Saint-André, is dedicated to creating organic, artisanal beers with character. They produce a range of styles and are another name to look out for on tap lists and in bottle shops. Seeking out beers from small, local breweries like this is the best way to support and experience the authentic flavour of the region’s burgeoning craft scene.
Beyond the Pint Glass: Essential Beer Experiences
Understanding French Beer Styles
Navigating a French craft beer menu can be a little different. While international styles like IPA and Stout are common, you will also see beers described by their colour. Blonde typically refers to a pale lager or ale, Blanche is a wheat beer, Ambrée is an amber ale, and Brune is a brown ale or dark lager. Understanding this simple terminology will help you decipher any tap list.
Pairing Craft Beer with Catalan Food
While wine pairings are classic, craft beer offers a fantastic alternative for complementing the bold flavours of local cuisine. The bitterness of a hoppy IPA, for instance, can cut through the richness of grilled sausages or charcuterie beautifully. A malty, slightly sweet Ambrée ale is a perfect match for a hearty stew like boles de picolat. Many of the region’s best restaurants, which you can explore in our guide to feasting in French Catalonia, are beginning to offer more diverse beer lists, providing a great opportunity to experiment.
Visiting a Local Beer Festival
Keep an eye on the local events calendar for a beer festival (fête de la bière). While not as common as wine festivals, they are becoming increasingly popular. These events bring together numerous local and national breweries in one place, offering the perfect opportunity to sample a huge variety of beers, meet the brewers, and soak up the festive, hop-fuelled atmosphere.
From the Vineyard’s Shadow, the Hop Plant Grows
In a region so utterly dominated by the vine, the emergence of a dedicated craft beer scene in Perpignan is a testament to a new generation of drinkers and brewers with a passion for something different. It’s a scene built on quality and a love for flavour. So when you visit, step out of the vineyard’s shadow for an evening. Let your curiosity lead you to a backstreet bar or a specialist cellar. You’ll not only discover a hidden, contemporary layer to this ancient city, but you’ll also find that even in the heart of French wine country, there is always room for a perfectly poured, flavour-packed pint.
