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Portugal has a vast
array of alcoholic drinks available, with the fortified wine Port
probably it best known export. Port has been produced in
Portugal for over
three hundred years. Although Port is produced by other countries
around the world, it is only that made in
Portugal which can use the
name.
Over the last decade Portugal's reputation as a
wine producer has been growing and they are compared to some of the
best wine producing countries in the world. *see
wine routes of Central Portugal.
Portugal has several major brands of beer, though the two
most popular, found nationwide, are Sagres and Superbock. |
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Both these
brands offer a range of beers including non-alcoholic varieties and
dark (preta) versions. Away from the
Algarve and tourist resorts
recognisable foreign named brands such as Heineken, Grolsch, Budweiser and
Boddingtons are harder to come by. However some supermarkets do
stock them, though they can be significantly dearer than their
Portuguese rivals. There are two ways to order beer in cafes and
restaurants - by the bottle (garrafa) or draught (imperial). To get
a large glass of beer order a caneca.
Aguardente is Portuguese brandy, however many
locals distil their own and is reminiscent to moonshine. This liquor is made from a variety of fruits
including grapes and figs and can be very potent. There are many
different kinds of liquor, which have all originated from Portugal
including a cherry liquor called Ginja one named
Amarguinha, which is made from almonds. |