Beer Nostrum, the Imperial Oyster Stout by La Cervesera Artesana, has been awarded the Molina for Brewers Innovation Award at the Barcelona Beer Challenge 2025, solidifying its status as one of the most innovative craft beers in the European brewing scene. This accolade follows the gold medal it received at the European Beer Star 2024, marking a historic double win for this limited-edition beer.
The award was presented on Friday, April 11, during InnBrew – The Brewers Convention, held as part of the Barcelona Beer Festival, the leading beer event in Southern Europe.
“It was chosen for the uniqueness of its production process and the innovative use of raw materials. The result is a one-of-a-kind beer that has amazed the world”, said Pablo Martín, brewmaster at Molina for Brewers and responsible for presenting the award.
A unique process of underwater refermentation
Beer Nostrum is the world’s only Imperial Oyster Stout matured under the sea, undergoing a second fermentation of over six months in amphorae submerged between 4 and 6 meters deep in the mussel farms of the Ebro Delta. The constant movement of the currents and the Coriolis effect naturally keep the yeasts in suspension—without the need for external energy—while maintaining a stable temperature (16–23 °C), ideal for maturation.
Brewed with meat and shells of Delta oysters, the beer boasts a complex sensory profile: a robust body, silky texture, low carbonation, and saline and iodine notes that evoke the Mediterranean Sea.
In collaboration with IRTA and the Rovira i Virgili University, the project also investigates the ecological impact of underwater maturation, with studies on CO₂ capture and marine biodiversity enhancement, positioning Beer Nostrum as an outstanding example of blue economy applied to the brewing sector.
“This award recognizes more than nine years of research and passion. Beer Nostrum represents a new way of understanding craft beer: deeply connected to its territory and committed to the future. Being the oldest brewpub in the country and winning the innovation award is as thrilling as it is encouraging,” explains Olaf Martí, brewmaster and founder of La Cervesera Artesana.
