The two main local beers are Sagres,the better of the two in my opinion, and Superbock,although Tagus is also becoming more readily available.You will see English beers such as Boddingtons and internationals like Foster's in lots of bars.
Portuguese wine is good quality and amazingly cheap by U.K. standards - if you pay €5 in a supermarket you will be usually getting a wine that would set you back £9-£10 at home.Try Monte Velho tinto if you like red wine.When buying wine tinto means red and branco is white.Among drinks you may like to sample whilst there are Medronho,the local firewater made from berries from the Monchique mountains,Brandymel,a blend of brandy and honey and Maciera,the local brandy.
You may see Dao wines available in supermarkets here and,occasionally Esporao on a label but,in my experience,Portuguese wines always taste best in the country they are made,preferably in temperatures of 75f - 80f whilst watching a lovely sunset.Enjoy !!

i'm getting in the mood....gotta mixed case of Portuguese red coming from Tesco this Friday.

There is also Cristal(beer) i got it in London and its a big brand in Portugal. You will enjoy it like Sagres said the wine is great quality,you can try vinho verde on your hols very nice:-)

Yes, cristal is a very popular bottled beer, it is a veryrefreshing Pilsner in the classic tradition. I love it!

You good folk are making my mouth water. I'm particulary interested in the Monte Velho tinto and I am sure hubbie will be equally enthusiastic about the various beers on offer. Must take a list of recommendations with me.

Hiya Kazibabesuk, we too are off to the Eirasol apartments in the Summer this year, we've never been to Portugal or any of the Algarve before so are looking forward to it.

First red down the hatch. Very nice it was too. Only 111 days to go. Can't wait.

depends what bars you go to. allsorts of local choices, and home fave's.
if you are staying close to albufeira there's a linekars bar on the montechoro strip. loads of british, irish and scottish ran places, so you can get all the british ales in them. also most of these places are open early doors so you can get full english breakfasts. i say early not many places open til 10am, (with having kids that get up crack of dawn this is late to us)

While we re on the subject of fine portugese tipples could I just ask how long a bottle of port lasts when its been opened?

about 1 to 2 hrs. if there's any left by then you aren't drinking quickly enough.

If it's a really nice one, about an hour and a half !!!
Seriously,though,port is a fortified wine so,as long as you re-seal the bottle,it shouldn't deteriorate.

beat you sagres.


but it really does depend on the quality. and temperature. but kept reasonably cool about 1 to 4 weeks. the cheaper ones probably go off quicker. then again i 've seen some that have been opened for about a year being sold in pubs

If you do wish to make one last,though personally I don't see why you would,try adding a drop of brandy before re-sealing the bottle, but make sure you use a decent quality brandy.

many years ago i was taught the following with regards to drinking wines

white drink within 3 days [sparkling dink all when opened]
Red drink within 5 days
desert wines [eg madeira/Sauternes] within 3 days
light fortified wines [eg sherry/port within 10 days

this assumes the bottles are re-corked imidiatly and stored in a cool place or chiller red should be allowed to warm to room temp before serving

spirits full strength will last for months if kept in original bottle and sealed

beers drink imidiatly

water SHOULD NEVER BE DRINK

Thanks guys. I think that means I prob need to throw out my port that was opened in Nov

Ooooops