Portuguese Wines and Beers, Meet the Non-Alcoholic Wave

Portugal, a country steeped in history and culture, has a rich tapestry of drinking traditions. From the fortified wines of Porto to its unique green wines, alcohol has long been a part of its cultural fabric. However, as times change, so do drinking behaviors. During our recent six-week stay in Lisbon and Ericeira, we were pleased to see a non-alcoholic beer on virtually every menu, and even discovered a Portuguese non-alcoholic red wine.

A sip through history

Portugal’s winemaking history stretches back thousands of years. The 1703 Methuen Treaty cut England’s duties on Portuguese wine relative to French wine, which helped make Port one of the country’s best-known exports.

Vinho Verde, from the Minho region in Portugal’s northwest, adds another style. The name means “green wine,” but it refers to the wine’s youth, not its color: it’s released within months of harvest and drunk young, often with a light spritz. It comes in white, red, and rosé, with white the best known abroad. Lower alcohol and bright acidity have made it a go-to aperitif and seafood wine, a counterpoint to the country’s aged reds and Port.

Beer holds a significant place in Portugal’s drinking culture, sharing the spotlight with the country’s famous wines. The two most popular beer brands in Portugal are Super Bock, registered as a brand in 1927, and Sagres, launched in 1940. Both brands have a long history and wide international distribution, making them household names not just in Portugal but also in various other countries. These iconic brands have been instrumental in shaping the country’s beer culture, offering a range of traditional lagers that are deeply embedded in Portuguese social gatherings and culinary experiences.

The rise of Non-alcoholic options

While Portugal has a long-standing tradition of wine and beer consumption, non-alcoholic variants have also started to make their mark. We discovered:

O%riginal Red Wine: a dealcoholized Syrah from José Maria da Fonseca, which says it made Portugal’s first alcohol-free wine in 2009. The alcohol is removed with a physical process meant to keep the wine’s aromas intact. At 0.5% ABV, it shows dark berry fruit, balanced tannins, and some oak.

Super Bock 0.0: Super Bock’s first alcohol-free beers launched in 2007, developed with the University of Porto’s engineering faculty. Today’s Super Bock 0.0% is a golden lager with malted-cereal and light citrus notes.

Sagres Non-Alcoholic Beer: Sagres launched its alcohol-free lager, Sagres Zero, in 2005, and followed with a dark version, Sagres Zero Preta, in 2007.

Changing attitudes toward drinking

In 2019, Portugal had the EU’s highest share of daily drinkers, at 20.7% of adults (EU average: 8.4%). Across the EU, daily drinking was rarest among 15- to 24-year-olds (1.0%) and most common among those 75 and over (16.0%).¹

So alcohol remains deeply embedded in Portuguese life, though younger adults drink daily far less often, a gap that echoes what we see in the United States. 

Conclusion

Portugal’s drinking history is rich and diverse, influenced by various cultures and historical events. However, as the world changes, so does the drinking culture in Portugal. The rise of non-alcoholic options and a shift in consumer preferences, especially among the younger generation, indicate a future where tradition and modernity can coexist in the Portuguese drinking landscape.

¹ Source: Eurostat