Tuesday, 09 July 2019 12:48

Viva: Gran Canaria's Original Craft Beer (And Where To Try It)

Gran Canaria's original Viva craft beer Gran Canaria's original Viva craft beer

Gran Canaria's craft beer scene has frothed up nicely in the last few years with 22 breweries attending the last Gran Canaria beer fair. But one brewery, Cervezería Viva, has been making quality craft beer in Gran Canaria since 1999.

With eight different beers, each with a Gran Canaria twist but made to German purity regulations, Viva is well worth tracking down when you are in Gran Canaria. It really does make a beer for every taste...

  • Somo Costeros: A premium bottled beer with a 6.5% AVB.
  • La Morena: An amber ale with toasted malt.
  • Soy de Aquí: A quality pilsen with a body and a touch of bitterness.
  • Eres un Puntal: A light and refreshing lager.
  • Viva Trigo: An unfiltered wheat beer with a hint of citrus.
  • Viva Negra Hapyness: A stout with a hint of coffee.
  • Let's Go Canarias: A lovely unfiltered pale ale with fruiy and citrussy notes. 
  • Viva Libre: Beer with less than one percent alcohol for a refreshing change.

Which one should you try? We suggest starting with the first and working your way down the list.

Viva only works with returnable bottles so you can't buy it in supermarkets. Its bottled beers are sold in many bars and the brewery even offers a free delivery service all over Gran Canaria.

For draft Viva, head to the following spots all over Gran Canaria.

Try draft Viva beer in Las Palmas city

In Vegueta old town, Te lo Dije Perez sells Viva blond and Morena (amber) lager on draft. It's at Calle Obispo Codilla 6; the street that runs up the hill towards the cathedral. At number four on the same street, Tasca El Canalla does the Viva special blond. 

On the Las Canteras beachfront, head to Paddy's Irish bar (by the pirate ship playground on the sand) for the Viva blond lager or to Somos Costeros; Viva's own restaurant under the palms of La Puntilla at the nothern tip of the beach. 

Alex Says: For more about the Las Palmas beer bar scene, read our guide

Drink draft Viva beer in south Gran Canaria

In Playa del Inglés, the Viva special blond brew is on draft at the Atelier Cocktail Bar on top of the Bohemia Spa and resort and at German butcher/restaurant Piicasso (amber lager). The Machbar sportsbar stocks pilsner and Viva is also available on draft at the El Carretón steakhouse. 

In Puerto Rico, the Happy Valley Indian restaurants stock Viva, as does the El Ciervo steak house. La Taberna Timanfaya sells the Somos Costeros permium Viva beer in bottles.

At Playa de Mogán head to Sol y Luna for a taste of draft Viva and a creative twist on Canarian food. 

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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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