Say “una cerveza, por favor” in Madrid and you’ll get a beer. But the waiter will also know, instantly, that you’re a guiri. Spaniards don’t order “a beer”. They order a caña.
Beer sizes in Spain
| Order | What you get | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Una caña | Small draft beer (about 20–25 cl) | The default. Cold, fresh, gone in 10 minutes |
| Un doble | Bigger draft glass (about 33–40 cl) | When it’s hot or you have time |
| Una jarra | A big mug, around half a litre | Common on terrazas |
| Un tubo | Tall narrow glass of draft beer | Very typical in the north |
| Un tercio | 33 cl bottle | “Tercio” = a third of a litre |
| Un quinto / un botellín | 20 cl bottle | “Quinto” = a fifth of a litre |
| Una clara | Beer with lemon soda (or gaseosa) | The summer classic |
| Una sin | Alcohol-free beer | “Sin” = without |
| Una pinta | A pint | Only in Irish pubs. Real guiri territory |
How to order: the phrases
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Me pones una caña? | Can I have a small beer? |
| Dos cañas, por favor. | Two small beers, please. |
| ¿Qué tenéis de grifo? | What do you have on tap? |
| Otra ronda. | Another round. |
| Esta la pago yo. | This one is on me. |
| ¿Me cobras? | Can I pay? |
Notice the verb: poner. In Spain we don’t say “can I have”, we say “¿me pones…?” (will you put me…?). It sounds direct in English, but it’s perfectly polite. And when you order a caña in Madrid, don’t be surprised if it comes with a free little tapa. More about that in how to order tapas in Madrid.
Ir de cañas: the real plan
Ir de cañas (going for a few beers) is the Spanish social glue. You meet a friend “para una caña” and four hours later you’re still there. One caña per bar, then the next bar. Small glasses keep the beer cold and the night long.
In Madrid the local beer is Mahou. Ask for “una caña de Mahou” and you’ll sound like you were born in Lavapiés. Not drinking beer? Try a vermut de grifo (vermouth on tap) or a tinto de verano (red wine with soda), what locals drink instead of sangría. See what “guiri” means.
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Get the free guide →FAQ
How do you order a beer in Spain?
Say “¿Me pones una caña?” A caña is a small draft beer, the standard order in Spanish bars.
What is a caña in Spain?
A small glass of draft beer, about 20 to 25 cl depending on the bar.
What is the difference between a caña and a tercio?
A caña is draft beer in a small glass. A tercio is a 33 cl bottle.
What is a clara?
Beer mixed with lemon soda or gaseosa, very popular in summer.
Do you get free tapas with a beer in Madrid?
In many traditional bars you get a small free tapa with each drink, but not everywhere.
— Monica Bernabe Perez
$54 · 30 minutes · with Mónica
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