La Pirata

The name carries weight. La Pirata translates to "the pirate," and the brewery embraces that rebellious spirit. The name reportedly derives from the Greek word "pyros" meaning fire, referencing how pirates would set enemy ships ablaze after a mutiny. Their approach to brewing reflects this: bold, experimental, refusing to play it safe.

Today La Pirata produces around 300,000 litres annually across a diverse range. Imperial stouts, barrel-aged monsters, fruited sours, and hop-forward IPAs fill their core and seasonal lineups. They've picked up recognition at international competitions over the years, including at the Barcelona Beer Challenge, which placed them among the better-regarded craft breweries in Spain.

Their alcohol-free entry is Unchained Sin, an IPA designed to retain the character of a proper craft IPA rather than compromise on flavour. Galaxy and Citra hops deliver tropical and stone fruit notes, finishing dry and refreshing. At 40 IBU, it carries genuine bitterness rather than the timid hop presence that plagues many AF attempts. A Blood Orange variant adds citrus complexity to the base recipe. Both sit at 0.5% ABV.

La Pirata takes their environmental footprint seriously. Solar panels installed in 2021 offset a meaningful chunk of their energy consumption, and microbiological testing throughout production ensures consistency batch to batch.

You can find La Pirata beers across Europe through specialist craft beer retailers and their own online shop. Their move into alcohol-free is a relatively recent addition to a well-established catalogue.