---
title: "Spanish beer chief criticizes ‘dishonesty’ of UK brewers in Madri boom"
publisher: "Stockmark.IT"
author: "Stockmark.IT Website"
published: "2024-06-05T03:39:36+00:00"
modified: "2024-06-05T03:39:36+00:00"
date: 2024-06-05
canonical: "https://stockmark.it/spanish-beer-chief-criticizes-dishonesty-of-uk-brewers-in-madri-boom/"
category: "Food and Drink Industry"
categories: ["Food and Drink Industry", "World"]
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language: "en-GB"
---

# Spanish beer chief criticizes ‘dishonesty’ of UK brewers in Madri boom

**Published:** June 5, 2024
**Author:** Stockmark.IT Website
**Categories:** Food and Drink Industry, World
**Featured image:** ![Four friends toasting with Estrella Galicia beer bottles. from Stockmark.it](https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/stencil.default-88-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1)

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Estrella Galicia’s boss has accused British brewers for “dishonesty”, as they sell beers that look Spanish, but are actually brewed in Britain.

Aitor de Artaza is the international managing director for the Spanish brewery. He said that a “lack” of transparency among UK beer companies confuses consumers both in pubs as well as supermarkets.

His criticism follows the recent success and marketing of Madri Excepcional a lager that markets itself as “the spirit of Madrid”.

Critics point out, however, that Madri is brewed in Yorkshire, by Molson Coors the same company which owns Doom Bar, Carling, and Carling.

Estrella Galicia has been brewing beer in Spain’s region of Galicia since more than 100 years.

Mr de Artaza stated: “There’s a lack in transparency because they are using a large city in Spain but don’t actually produce there. It’s confusing for consumers.”

Madri, which was launched in British pubs 2020, has become one of Britain’s most popular beers.

The website of the company claims that Madri is brewed in collaboration with La Sagra. This Spanish brewery has been owned by Molson Coors, since 2017.

The beer is brewed only at a few sites in the UK including Tadcaster, Yorkshire.

Mr de Artaza said: “They did an excellent job in terms marketing, for sure.” It’s a bit trickier because the people believe they’re drinking Spanish beer, but it’s actually not. “They are not very honest and they’re not very clear.”

Molson Coors claims that Madri sales have increased since its launch. Recently, supermarket purchases of the beer topped £100m.

Data from the industry group NIQ shows that this is an increase from £70.1m in its first year of operation.

The success of Fosters is due to the growing demand for world lagers. These lagers often have a greater alcohol content than their traditional competitors.

While many world lagers are imported, the vast majority of them are actually brewed in Britain. Birra Moretti, Corona and other beers are included.

Karen Albert, Molson Coors’ director of premium brands, stated: “Madri Excepcional is the result of a unique collaboration with La Sagra Brewery located near Madrid. This collaboration combined the skill and craft of the innovative Spanish brewer Carlos Garcia from La Sagra, and the Molson Coors UK master brewers.

“Brewing Madri Excepcional in the UK allows us to respond quickly to demand, deliver efficiently and, most importantly, make our beers sustainably.

Brewing in the UK is a great way to reduce the distances travelled between the brewery and the bar or the shelf. All our beers are produced in the UK using 100% renewable electricity via a power purchase contract.

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