Thursday, 07 January 2016 08:33

How To Order Beer Like A Local In Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria's most famous beer brand Gran Canaria's most famous beer brand www.photosgrancanaria.com

Nobody in Gran Canaria ever says 'una cerveza, por favor', no matter how thirsty they are. Here's what to say in a bar to get exactly the beer you want.

Let's start small.

"Un botellín por favor"

This gets you a tiny 20cc bottle of beer; The Canarian equivalent of a stubbie. These are a tradition in Gran Canaria and designed to be drunk fast before they warm up in the sun. The cost about 1.20, but bars in Las Palmas and local towns often offer five or six botellines for five euros during football games. They come in a bucket of ice. 

"Una botella por favor"

Locals almost always ask what beer the bar stocks ...

"Que cerveza de botella tienen?"

Then they order Tropical whatever the answer. However, if you are offered Mahou, Estrella Galicia or Cruzcampo, give them a go as they are good Spanish beers. Feel free to order Dorada as well; It may be from Tenerife, but it's good.

"Que tienen de grifo?"

This is how you ask what draft beer a bar or restaurant has. The answer will often be Tropical, but lots of resort bars offer a range of imported beers and bars in Las Palmas offer Spanish brands on tap. If the barman says "Viva", then you've found Gran Canaria's other beer brand and should definitely try it on tap; It's made by a German brewer and is a decent beer.

"Una caña por favor"

A caña is the Gran Canaria equivalent of half a pint; A small beer that often comes in a tube-shaped glass (vaso de tubo) and should measure about 25ccs. The name comes from the fact that the vaso de tubo looks like a section of sugar cane or caña de azucar.

"Una jarra por favor"

If a caña isn't going to touch the sides, ask for a jarra and you'll get a pint of beer (more or less). A proper jarra should be 500 ml (just under a pint) but some bars serve smaller measures and still call them jarras. Most come in a mug-style glass with a handle. 

"Una clara por favor"

This is how you get a shandy in Gran Canaria. Don't worry about ordering them as they are a perfectly acceptable drink on the island. You'll be asked "caña o jarra?" and "limon o Seven-Up?".

"Cerveza sin alcohol por favor"

Why you'd want to do it we have no idea, but this is how you get a bottle of alcohol-free beer in a Gran Canaria bar.  "Tiene alguna cerveza sin alcohol?". To order a shandy, ask for "una clara con Sprite" or a Tropi-limon. 

"Tiene alguna cerveza artesanal?"

One for the beer lover: This is how you ask if a bar has any craft beer in stock. Viva do a few bottled beers and there are several craft brewers in the Canary Islands. Let us know if you find a really good one and read this guide to the Las Palmas beer bar scene.

How to order a Tropical beer the right way

Because the word tropical ends in an 'L', it's masculine in Spanish. You may, therefore, think that saying "un Tropical" is correct. However, the correct way to order a Tropical beer in Gran Canaria is to say "una Tropical".

Why? Because you are actually saying "una cerveza Tropical" and beer in Spanish is feminine. 

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Tip of the day

  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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