Colombians' Favorite Beer: A Cultural Drinking Experience

Beer is a sizeable industry in Colombia, with a wide selection of national beers available, mostly lagers. The most common brands are national ones like Aguila, Club Colombia, Costeña, and Pilsen. Colombia has more than 15 large national brands, but there are also dozens of small, local microbrewery boutique beers that are growing beyond regional demand.

Colombian beer brands

Beer is a sizeable industry in Colombia, with a range of local microbrews and large-scale productions of popular brands. There are more than 15 large national brands, and dozens of small, local microbreweries.

The Bogota Beer Company (BBC) is one of the most prevalent high-end beers in the country. It offers a range of beers, including the Macondo Coffee Stout, La Hechicera, Septimazo IPA, and Chapinero Porter.

Club Colombia is a premium brand that produces the Dorada, Roja, and Negra beers. It is considered an upgrade from the more common beers Aguila and Pilsen.

Other Colombian beer brands include:

• 3 Cordilleras, which produces the Mestiza American Pale Ale and Negra beer
• Cerveza Ancla Super Premium, a lager/pilsner-style beer brewed under the German beer purity law
• Cerveza Casa Suárez
• Lino Brewing Company S.A.S.
• Costeña, brewed by Bavaria Brewing, the company that also produces Aguila
• Prima, brewed by Colombia's biggest supermarket chain, Grupo Exito
• Apostol, a Colombia-based European-style brewery
• Poker, which is similar to Aguila
• Pilsen, one of the two mainstay Colombian beers
• Tres Cordilleras, a microbrewery in Medellin
• Apostol, a Colombia-based European-style brewery
• Heineken, a premium beer
• Corona, a warm-weather beer

Colombian craft beer

Colombia has a thriving beer industry, ranging from small local microbrews to large-scale productions of popular national brands. While the country has more than 15 large national brands, dozens of small and local microbreweries are growing beyond regional demand.

Bogota Beer Company (BBC)

Bogota Beer Company, or BBC, is one of the most prevalent high-end beers in Colombia. Their beers are typically twice as expensive as other beers and can be found in bars and restaurants across the country. Some of their notable beers include:

• Macondo Coffee Stout
• La Hechicera
• Septimazo IPA
• Chapinero Porter
• La Cotidiana

3 Cordilleras

3 Cordilleras is a craft brewer based in Medellin. They produce a variety of unique and award-winning craft beers, including:

• Mestiza (American Pale Ale)
• Negra

Apostol

Apostol is a Colombia-based European-style brewery. Their lager stood out in a blind taste test for not being as light and refreshing as other Colombian lagers.

La Toma Cervecera

La Toma Cervecera is a company that regularly organises events that unite small-scale craft brewers with big-time craft beer fans in Medellin.

Cerveceria Libre

Cerveceria Libre is a local artisanal brewer based in Medellin.

Dos Carreras

Dos Carreras is a local artisanal brewer based in Bogota.

Mono Bandido

Mono Bandido is a local artisanal brewer based in Bogota.

TorreAlta

TorreAlta is a brewery with several highly-rated beers, including La Dama Alegre, La Justa, and La Proviciana.

Beer Station

Beer Station produces the Tumaco Negra, a well-regarded beer.

Pola del Pub

Pola del Pub creates a range of beers, including the Año Viejo and Abracadabra.

Madriguera

Madriguera is known for its Suricata Rampante and Colombian Pale Ale (COLPA).

Colombian beer prices

Beer is a sizeable industry in Colombia, with a range of small local microbrews and large-scale productions of popular brands. There are more than 15 large national brands, and dozens of small/local microbrewery boutique beers that are growing beyond regional demand.

Some of the most popular Colombian beers include:

• BBC Bogotá Beer Company
• Águila Cero (non-alcoholic)
• Aguila Imperial (seasonal)
• Club Colombia Dorada (blonde), Roja (red), Negra (black)
• Cola & Pola (refajo)
• Cerveza 3 Cordilleras
• Blanca (American Wheat)
• Mestiza (American Pale Ale)
• Cerveza Ancla Super Premium (a lager/pilsner brewed under the German beer purity law)
• Cerveza Casa Suárez
• Lino Brewing Company S.A.S.
• Prima
• Apostol
• Poker

The price of a 6-pack of beer in Colombia varies depending on the brand and quality. Supermarket prices range from 9,000 COP / $3.25 USD for a 6-pack of Prima, to 28,500 COP / $10.25 USD for a 6-pack of Apostol. The premium Club Colombia brand typically costs around 15,000 COP / $5.40 USD for a 6-pack.

Bogotá Beer Company (BBC), a high-end beer found across Colombia, usually costs around twice as much as other beers in bars and restaurants. A 6-pack can be purchased in supermarkets for 21,700 COP / $7.80 USD.

Colombian beer taste tests

Colombia has a thriving beer industry, with a range of options from small local microbrews to large-scale productions of popular national brands. In this article, we'll explore the results of several Colombian beer taste tests, ranking the beers from worst to best. So, grab a cold one and let's get started!

The Lineup

For our taste tests, we gathered a variety of Colombian beers, including both popular national brands and local craft beers. Here's what we tried:

• Aguila: One of Colombia's top beer brands, often referred to as a "perennial classic."
• Club Colombia: A more premium option, considered an upgrade from Aguila.
• Costeña: Brewed by the same company as Aguila, known for its unique dry and bitter taste.
• Pilsen: Another classic Colombian lager.
• Bogota Beer Company (BBC) Lager: A high-end beer found across Colombia, often costing twice as much as other beers.
• Prima: The cheapest beer we could find, sold by Colombia's biggest supermarket chain, Grupo Exito.
• Apostol: A Colombia-based European-style brewery with a lager that stands out from the typical light and refreshing Colombian beers.
• Heineken: A well-known international brand, included as a "twist" in our taste test.
• Corona: A popular warm-weather beer, often enjoyed by "fancy" people in Medellin.
• Poker: A beer that was notably left out of some taste tests, but later included due to its popularity.
• 3 Cordilleras: A microbrewery from Medellin, crafting unique and award-winning craft beers.

The Taste Test Parameters

Our blind taste tests were conducted with a group of friends, each beer served in a plastic cup coded with a number. We took notes as we sipped and had the opportunity to re-taste before finalizing our individual rankings. The beers were ranked based on various factors such as taste, aftertaste, smoothness, and overall enjoyment.

The Results

Worst to Best

In one taste test, the results from worst to best were as follows:

• Aguila: Described as "watery" and "flavorless."
• Pilsen: Also considered plain and lacking flavour.
• Bogota Beer Company Lager: Some found it bitter and watery, while others thought it was light and indistinct.
• Prima: This budget-friendly option had a unique caramel flavour but lacked a strong beer taste.
• Apostol: This lager stood out for its darker colour and fruity notes, but some found it too bitter or smoky.
• Heineken: Opinions varied, with some enjoying the flavour and others finding it unpleasant.
• Club Colombia Dorada: This premium lager received positive reviews for its flavour and smoothness, with hints of fruit.
• Corona: Despite its reputation, Corona took the top spot, surprising even the tasters!

Best to Worst

In another taste test with a different set of participants, the results from best to worst were:

• Club Colombia Roja: This red lager received high praise for its flavour and balance.
• 3 Cordilleras: This craft beer was a favourite among those seeking unique and award-winning flavours.
• Bogota Beer Company: While expensive, BBC's variety of beers, including their Macondo Coffee Stout and La Hechicera, impressed with their complex flavours.
• TorreAlta: TorreAlta's La Dama Alegre and other offerings were well-received for their creativity and taste.
• Costeña: While some found it plain, others appreciated its dry and bitter taste.
• Aguila: Although it fell flat in the previous test, some tasters enjoyed its classic Colombian flavour.
• Pilsen: Again, this classic lager divided opinions, with some finding it refreshing and others plain.

Final Thoughts

The world of Colombian beer is diverse and exciting, offering something for every taste and budget. From classic lagers to craft stouts, each beer brings something unique to the table. So, if you're ever in Colombia, be sure to explore the local beer scene and conduct your own taste tests!

Colombian beer exports

Colombia's beer industry is a sizeable one, ranging from small local microbrews to large-scale productions of popular national brands. While the country has more than 15 large national brands, there are also dozens of small, local microbrewery boutique beers that are growing beyond regional demand.

One of the most well-known Colombian beers is Aguila, which is one of the country's top beer brands. Other popular national brands include Club Colombia, Costeña, and Pilsen. These beers are mostly lagers, which are a popular choice in tropical countries like Colombia.

In recent years, several microbreweries have emerged across Colombia, producing a variety of unique, award-winning craft beers. Some of these craft brewers include Tres Cordilleras, Apostol, and Bogotá Beer Company (BBC). BBC offers a range of beers, including the Macondo Coffee Stout, La Hechicera, and Usaquen Stout.

Colombia also has a growing number of local artisanal brewers, such as Cerveceria Libre in Medellin and Dos Carreras and Mono Bandido in Bogota. These brewers offer unique and innovative beers that are gaining popularity among beer connoisseurs.

The country's beer exports are not limited to just bottles and cans. Colombia also has a tradition of drinking refajo, which is a combination of beer and Colombiana soda, a champagne cola similar to cream soda. This drink is often served at barbecues and outdoor lunches and is considered refreshing due to its lower alcohol content.

In addition to its beer exports, Colombia also has a strong culture of drinking aguardiente, which is an anise-flavored drink made from sugarcane. It is considered the country's national liquor and is consumed across the country, especially in the Andean areas where it is usually drunk neat.

Overall, Colombia's beer exports reflect a diverse and vibrant industry, with a range of options from large national brands to small, local microbrews, offering something for every taste and preference.

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