Anyone who visits Spain on a regular basis will be familiar with Mahou. A crisp Mediterranean lager coming in at 4.9% ABV Mahou will invoke those holiday memories. This lager is super crisp and very drinkable. In my early days of owning a Perfect Draft machine this was of my go to lagers. During summer time it’s a real treat.
Mahou is actually part of the Mahou – San Miguel group created when Mahou purchased San Miguel in the 2000 to created a wholly Spanish owned Brewery. Mahou is distributed by ABInBev in the UK and for a while it looked like that was the Mediterranean lager they would push to compete with Madri, Estrella and Cruzcampo in the UK market. That changed when Carlsberg’s license to distribute San Miguel expired and ABInBev took it over. With a more established brand available I’d expect this to be pushed more rather than the more authentic Mahou.
The day the San Miguel license became available on 1st Jan 2025 it was released for Perfect Draft. (Review Pending) the same day. There’s a twist believe it or not. Despite its close links to Spain, holidays, and summer fun. San Miguel is Filipino in origin. It’s the same way most people don’t realise Carling is Canadian its roots.
The Upshot
This is a very drinkable lager and gives those true holiday vibes. Mahou Cinco Estrella is potent enough at 4.8% ABV. It has a crisp taste, isn’t to bitter and it’s pale colour pleasing on the eye.
There’s a tendency amongst certain continental lagers to be a bit samey, and all of them seem to have decided to weigh in at about 4.6% ABV. See Cruzcampo and Madri for more. Mahou’s slight extra strength gives it that little more body. This makes a subtle but important difference. In the end I’d stay home for a pint of Mahou compared with some of the more popular competitors
4.5*. Summer time in a glass.
