Infobae, July 2025.
“In the city, there’s already everything, and we longed for community”
Their pleasant terrace and craft beers have earned DosKiwis Brewing a Solete from the Repsol Guide, a summer award recognizing the work of Judit Piñol and Michael Jones.
It’s clear that in the culinary world, there is a generation of young people who have chosen to change the pace. Chefs, producers, artisans, and entrepreneurs who wanted to escape the noise, return to the villages where they were born, and offer there what they themselves missed. Under this philosophy, restaurants, bars, wineries, cheese factories, and artisanal projects have emerged, giving life to rural areas long neglected.
DosKiwis Brewing is part of this wonderful trend. This brewery, located in the small village of Rupià, between Girona, the Pyrenees, and the Costa Brava, is the project of Judit and Michael, two young people who bet on their dream: brewing modern, accessible, and flavorful beers. Six years after opening, the Repsol Guide awarded DosKiwis with a Solete, recognizing the brewery as one of the best destinations to enjoy summer in the Empordà.
Traveling to return
Judit Piñol (1989) was born in Llofriu, a settlement of just 290 inhabitants in the municipality of Palafrugell, in the Lower Ampurdán region. Her desire to explore the world led her to leave her hometown—first to Barcelona at just 18, and later to London at 20. There, in addition to pursuing a career as a model, she met Michael Jones, a New Zealander who became her partner in adventure and later in business.
"We immediately connected with the whole artisan food scene—coffee, bread, beer… It was something we were passionate about," says the young Catalan. After a few years in the bustling UK capital, both decided to follow their passion, doing so in the place where Judit was born.
"In cities, projects are never lacking, and I think that if you long for something to exist, you’re the one who has to start it," she explains. "When I was young, I felt there weren’t many opportunities here. That’s why I left, because I wanted to go out. But after experiencing the city and traveling, I longed for that sense of community, a bit more quality of life."
Their shared passion for beer became the seed for their project. After experimenting with home brewing and receiving praise from friends, Judit and Michael decided to take the plunge, officially starting DosKiwis Brewing in 2019. At the time, the craft beer sector in Spain was still in its early stages, far behind countries with a strong beer culture.
"We started thinking: 'Wow, if the beer we make at home tastes better than what we find out there, let’s figure out how we can sell it,'" Judit laughs.
As the family home was no longer enough, they searched for a place to settle with enough room to create. They found it in an old barn in the Ampurdán village of Rupià, home to just over 300 residents. There, they built their brewery, which also functions as a taproom with a terrace and garden to enjoy their creations.
"The tasting space was a fundamental part of our project, which is why we were included in the guide," Judit says. Over the years, it has grown steadily. Visitors can enjoy any of the ten craft beers on tap, always guided by the brewers’ recommendations. To accompany the drinks, the food is simple but delicious and local, in line with the project’s philosophy.
"We have a small kitchen inside a repurposed shipping container. It’s street food, but high quality," concludes the co-founder.
Affordable beer that builds community
The taproom attracts locals and tourists alike. "We’re open all year, and we have customers who come throughout the year. But since it’s a very touristy area, many people come only in summer or return every three to four months," says Judit. This has allowed them to build community. "It’s very enriching to share this growth with the same people. When you live in a village and know everyone, you get that sense of belonging."
For their beers, they use only natural ingredients—no colorings, preservatives, or unnecessary additives such as corn, which is often used as cheap sugar in industrial beers.
"Our brewing kettles are 1,000 liters, so we make smaller batches, but with a strong emphasis on quality," Piñol explains.
Their beers are meant to be accessible for everyone—even those who don’t normally like beer. "We have many different styles, including a sour beer with raspberry and lime that appeals even to people who don’t usually drink beer," Judit says. Other styles include Ale, IPA, Lager, Sour, and Stout, which can be enjoyed at the brewery or purchased online throughout Spain and Europe.
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https://www.infobae.com/espana/2025/07/03/la-pareja-que-dejo-londres-para-fabricar-cerveza-en-un-pequeno-pueblo-del-emporda-en-las-ciudades-no-faltan-proyectos-y-anhelabamos-la-comunidad/