THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY IS RISING in popularity. People are conforming to the lifestyle of being an “experienced craft-beer drinker” because they do not want to keep drinking the same old watered-down beer. There are so many elements that influence this lifestyle, like what styles, ingredients, flavors, aromas, scents, ABV (Alcohol by volume), IBU (International bitterness units), name brands, locations, and the list goes on. Craft beers are intriguing because no beer is the same. They are all unique in look, flavor, smell, brewery history, and the feeling it gives you.
Some of the most trendsetting craft beer breweries started in the Caribbean and made its way over to the U.S. So, we listed here 10 local craft beers brewed in the Caribbean.
Red Stripe
Jamaica’s infamous Red Stripe craft beer, is brewed by Desnoes & Geddes Limited at the Red Stripe Brewery in Kingston, Jamaica. This beverage has been brewing since 1928. The locals and tourist love this light amber, butterscotch flavor, with an easy 4.7% alcohol. Red Stripe represents the passion and ethnicity of Jamaica, so every bottle is made with Jamaica’s authenticity.
Balashi Chill
Balashi Chill is micro-brewed at the Brouwrij Nacional Balashi, in Santa Cruz, Aruba. It was first brewed back in 1998. It is the only beer brewed here making it, Aruba’s beer. This golden beer has won taste awards in 2001, 2004, and 2013, crafted only with premium ingredients, like Aruba’s world class water, barley, rice, and corn. It has a 5% ABV and a sweeter taste. This island beer is made with quality and passion.
Tempus Alt Clasica
Tempus Alt Clasica craft beer, is micro-brewed at Cerveceria Primus (Primus Brewery) in Mexico. This 5.2% ABV, deep amber, creamy texture, nutty with earthy hops, balanced with sweet malts; is created to be smooth for your palate. This beverage has the perfect balance of flavors from the fresh produce found in Mexico, making it one of the top craft beers to try.
Presidente
Presidente is brewed by the primary beer producer in the Dominican Republic, since 1935, at the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana (CND). This gold, pilsner style beer has a 5% ABV and a moderately bitter hops flavor. Made from the best quality raw materials in D.R., definitely makes it the best beer, the realest tasting beer, and gives you the feeling of the Dominican. Because it is so widely accepted by locals and tourists, this increases the contribution to the sales of the products, resources, and people of D.R. It has developed a true beer culture.
Blonde Ale
Boquerón Brewing Company’s Blonde Ale from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico is on the rise. Their mission isn’t to brew the most quantity of beer, but rather produce the highest quality of the freshest ales. This golden color, 5% ABV, beer uses premium malts, hops, yeast, and lemon to give a mild bitterness and unique taste. This balance of tasty and refreshing pleases lovers of all craft beers.
Island Pirate Ale
Island Pirate Ale is the first- ever Bahamian India Pale Ale, brewed at Pirate Republic Brewing Company in Nassau, Bahamas. This 5.2% ABV, American-style ale is copper color, smooth with a delicious complexity of pineapple and citrus aromas. Their motto is “we bet you’ll be feeling like an island pirate in no time.” This beer is well balanced and refreshing.
10 Saints
10 Saints Hand Crafted Beer is aged in Mount Gay ‘Special Reserve’ rum casks, at 10 Saints Brewing, in Barbados. This 4.8% ABV, golden-amber beer has a lightly roasted malt and vanilla aroma with a smooth finish of spicy rum. 10 Saints Brewing got their name because Barbados is split into 11 parishes, out of the 11 parishes, 10 of them are Saints, getting their name 10 Saints Brewing. The owner of 10 Saints utilizes this by educating tourists and locals about the history of Barbados.
Belikin Lager
Belize Brewing Company, is home of the Belikin Lager, since 1969. This beverage has become one of the top sellers in Belize. This classic, full-bodied beer, is a special blend of Canadian pilsner malt and German hops, with a revitalizing 4.8% ABV. There motto is “Belikin is brewed for Belizeans, by Belizeans, and onli eena Belize.”
Wadadli
This famous flagship craft beer, Wadadli, is micro-brewed at the Antigua Brewery, in Antigua, Guatemala. It has become a favorite amongst the locals and tourists, making it the beer of Antigua. This 4.8% ABV, has strong aromas of sweet malt, tastes of grain, corn, with a light bitter finish. Antigua Brewery has started a new trend in the local beer market by using in-house desalination plant to provide fresh water for their brewing operations. They also offer refunds on returned bottles. The locals are appreciative of how eco-friendly this brewery is and how they stay true to the flavors of Guatemala.
