A story of knowledge, barrels, and international recognition
When a brewery wins the award for Best Brewery at the Barcelona Beer Challenge, it’s no coincidence. It’s the result of years of work, clear criteria, and a very defined way of understanding beer. 7 Vidas arrives at BBF following this recognition, but above all as one of the most solid and respected projects on the international scene today, with awards around the world and particularly at the World Beer Cup.
From Tacna, in southern Peru, they have built a proposal that combines technical foundation, sensory sensitivity, and a firm commitment to barrel aging. It’s not an add-on — it’s a core part of the project. Since 2019, they have been working with their own barrel program, including dozens of bourbon and wine barrels, with thousands of liters aging and a very clear idea behind it: each barrel is a unique piece, with its own evolution and character. This slow and demanding way of working largely explains the level they have achieved.
At the head of the project is Marco Malaga, a key figure in understanding what 7 Vidas is. His career is not only extensive, but also diverse: a background in food science and engineering, time at UC Davis, more than a decade at Anheuser-Busch, and long-standing experience as an international beer judge. All of this translates into a highly precise approach to beer, especially in the sensory field, and an uncommon ability to turn complex concepts — such as barrel work or mixed fermentations — into balanced and coherent results.
His presence at the festival will go beyond the beers themselves. Marco Malaga will lead two activities that will allow attendees to dive deeper into this world through hands-on experience. In a context where barrel aging is often discussed superficially, having someone with this level of expertise explaining it is an opportunity worth taking.
There is also a broader reading beyond beer. The presence of 7 Vidas connects with a strong Peruvian community in Barcelona, who will see how a project from their country is not only participating in the festival, but doing so as one of its standout references. At the same time, this emotional connection doesn’t exclude the wider audience; on the contrary, it reinforces the idea that talent and rigor have no fixed origin, and that beer is a global language.
As for what they bring to the festival, 7 Vidas presents a selection that reflects the different layers of the project, combining more approachable beers with highly complex barrel-driven creations.
- Rose Brut: A fine, dry beer with a vinous profile and delicate carbonation. An elegant and distinctive entry point.
- Breakfast Oatmeal Stout (WBC silver, BBF bronze): Roasty and creamy, with notes of coffee and cocoa. A very well-executed classic stout.
- Cat IPA: Fresh and hop-forward, bringing balance within a lineup dominated by longer processes.
- Russian Imperial Stout 2025 (BBF gold): Intense and structured, with depth and strong control in a high-gravity style.
- Dark Addiction – Barrel Aged Imperial Pastry Stout with vanilla and coffee: Dense and expressive, with a clear barrel presence and adjunct character, in the realm of liquid dessert.
- White Solera – Barrel Aged American Wild Ale (BBF gold): Complex and elegant, with mixed fermentation and acidity beautifully integrated with the wood.
- Fleur de Prairie – Barrel Aged Fruited Sour Ale (BBF silver): Tart and fruity, with a layer of barrel character that adds depth without losing freshness.
Altogether, this is a proposal that aims not only to impress, but to build a narrative. 7 Vidas does not come to the Barcelona Beer Festival as an exotic novelty or a distant curiosity. It arrives as what it is: one of the most exciting breweries of the moment, with a coherent project, a strong identity, and a clear ability to take beer to another level.
And ultimately, that’s exactly what a festival like BBF is about.
