Vermouth Experience, Barcelona

Discover one of Barcelona's most popular drinks: vermouth. A passionate local foodie who will show you a more authentic side of the beloved beverage, though you'll find plenty of hipster bars serving vermouth, too. Still, it's best enjoyed in local taverns where bar tenders know the drink and serve it out of a wall of cask barrels. With your guide leading the way, you'll visit a local bar or two and try a few varieties of vermouth paired with several traditional tapas, such as razor clams, patatas bravas, and Jamón.

Barcelona's trendy bars might try to convince you that vermouth is a hipster drink now, but the beverage's origins say otherwise. With the help of a passionate local, you'll learn all about the history and cultural significance behind vermouth, how people drink it depending on the season, and how to pair it with Spanish tapas. Your guide will lead you to a genuine neighborhood bar or two, where you can enjoy a few glasses of vermouth for pleasure (and not for the trends) in its most authentic form. 

After meeting your guide, you'll make your way to a bar beloved by locals. Sit down and learn the first lesson in vermouth: its history. As your guide will explain, the first wineries started making vermouth in the 14th century. At that time, locals enjoyed what they called fer el vermut ("having the vermouth"), a weekend tradition pairing the beverage with conversation, friends, and family. Many participated in this ritual after Sunday mass as a break before lunch.

Next, learn how to pair food with vermouth and enjoy enough tasty tapas to fill you up for lunch. Some typical dishes include salted anchovies, mussels, razor clams, patatas bravas with spicy romesco sauce, cheese, olives, jamón, fish, and more. The tour can accommodate those with dietary preferences, including vegetarians, celiacs, flexitarians, etc. As you sip drinks and enjoy traditional bites, you'll discover what makes the fer el vermut authentic. Hint: it's all about simplicity. Your drinks will come straight from the cask barrel, just as the locals prefer it and how it's been enjoyed for centuries. 

At the end of your experience, you'll know all about the history of vermouth and why it's far more authentic and traditional than it might seem. Say farewell to your guide and take your newfound knowledge with you, enjoying vermouth during the rest of your trip.