Costa Rica's Beer Scene: Local Brews And Beyond

Costa Rica is home to a variety of beers, from well-known domestic brands available in most supermarkets to a growing number of microbreweries and craft beers. The most famous Costa Rican beers are Imperial, Pilsen, Bavaria, and Rock Ice, with Imperial being the most popular and the national beer of the country. Imperial is a pale lager with an alcohol volume of 4.6% and is known for its compatibility with all taste buds. Other popular domestic beers include Pilsen, a pilsner-type beer with a 5.1% alcohol volume, and Bavaria, which comes in three presentations: Regular, Gold, and Dark. In addition to its domestic offerings, Costa Rica also produces foreign beers, such as Heineken, and imports major US and European brands. For those looking to explore the local beer scene, craft breweries and microbreweries can be found throughout the country, with San Jose being a particularly popular hub.

Popular Costa Rican beers

Beer is a big part of Costa Rica's culture and is often consumed alongside traditional dishes like Gallo Pinto. While spirits like guaro and rum are more popular at local bars, beer is the most enjoyed alcoholic beverage in the country. In fact, it's not uncommon for Costa Ricans to refer to Imperial Beer as "Aguila" or "Aguilita", meaning "eagle" or "little eagle", in reference to the logo on the bottle.

Domestic Beers

Imperial, Pilsen, Bavaria, and Rock Ice are the four domestic brand names of beer in Costa Rica.

Imperial

Imperial is the most popular beer in Costa Rica and is often called the national beer. It is a pale lager with an alcohol volume of around 4.5-4.6%. It's a pretty basic, mass-produced beer that suits all taste buds, similar to Coors or Budweiser. It's a recognisable symbol for tourists and locals alike, with many souvenirs featuring the Imperial logo. You can also find other variations, including Imperial Light (3.5%), Imperial Silver, Ultra, and Non-Alcoholic.

Pilsen

Pilsen is the second most popular beer in Costa Rica. It is a pilsner-type beer with a 5.1% alcohol volume and a darker flavour than Imperial, with a more pronounced malt tang.

Bavaria

Bavaria is a little lighter than other regular brands on the market, but it comes in three flavours: Bavaria Gold, Bavaria Light, and Bavaria Dark. It was inspired by German lager but is not a very popular choice among locals and travellers. The Bavaria Dark variety is considered the tastiest of their options, with a strong malt aroma.

Rock Ice

Rock Ice is an experimental beer with several infusions. For example, there is the Rock Ice Limon, which is a lager with a lemon flavour, and Rock Ice Golden Monkey, made with the mangosteen tropical fruit.

Craft Beers

In recent years, Costa Rica has seen an emergence of microbreweries and local craft beers. San Jose has been the main hub of these new beer varieties, but you can also find popular breweries in Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces.

Volcano Brewing Company

Born on the surf beach in Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Volcano Brewing Company is located inside Witch's Rock Surf Camp. They started brewing in 2011 with the goal of producing high-quality craft beer for surf camp guests, but now also welcome visitors from all over Costa Rica. They have 45 taps throughout the two onsite restaurants and bars, serving their own beers as well as other craft beers. Their signature beer is the Witch's Rock Pale Ale, a medium-bodied, balanced brew perfect for a post-surf drink, with tropical, floral, and citrus undertones.

Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co.

Located just outside of San Jose city centre, this long-standing brewery offers one of the most widely available craft beers in Costa Rica. They offer plenty of variety, along with seasonal specials, from a Scottish ale known as Malacrianza to a tropical golden ale called Libertas.

Treintaycinco

Another craft brewery in the San Jose area, Treintaycinco offers a wide variety of stouts, IPAs, and barley wine. Their eye-catching graphics and labelling tell the narrative of beer brewing in Costa Rica, making it a standout for supporting local culture. Their signature beer is Maldita Vida (9.8%), which has a nice dark fruity undertone.

Lake Arenal Brewery

On the banks of Lake Arenal is Lake Arenal Brewery, one of the country's first microbreweries. They offer house beers made with local mineral-rich water, imported German malted grains, American hops, and French yeast. Highlights include their Paradise Pale Ale and the IPA. They are also Costa Rica's first eco-brewery, powered 100% by solar and bio-diesel.

Monteverde Brewing Company

Monteverde Brewing Co. is a small microbrewery that produces different varieties of beers brewed from the local waters of the Monteverde region. They sell their beers to local distributors and through their own Brewhouse. They specialise in different ales, including red ale, American pale ale, golden ale, and India pale ale. The brewery and brewpub are surrounded by lush mountains in Monteverde.

Where to buy beer in Costa Rica

If you're looking to buy beer in Costa Rica, you're in luck! The country has a variety of options, from local beers to craft beers, which can be found in supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. Here's a guide to help you navigate the beer scene in Costa Rica:

Supermarkets

Local beers, such as Imperial, Bavaria, and Pilsen, can be easily found in all supermarkets across Costa Rica. These beers are usually affordable, with a 6-pack costing around 5500 colones ($8.68 to $11 USD). You can also find imported beers in nicer supermarkets, such as Toña from Nicaragua, Corona, Bud Lite, Heineken, and beers from Germany, Italy, Holland, and Japan.

Bars and Restaurants

Most bars and restaurants in Costa Rica will serve the local beers, Imperial, Bavaria, and Pilsen. If you're looking for craft beers, tourist-oriented bars and restaurants, especially in beach towns like Tamarindo, are more likely to stock them. Some popular places to drink craft beer in Costa Rica include:

• Volcano Brewing Company in Tamarindo
• Fuego Brew Co. in Dominical
• Taco Taco in Monteverde
• Clandestina in Montezuma
• Costa Rica Beer Factory in San Jose
• Wilk Craft Beer in San Jose
• Stiefel Pub in San Jose
• Lupulus Beer Shop in San Jose
• CASA Brew Garden in San Jose

Breweries

If you want to buy beer directly from the source, there are several breweries across Costa Rica that offer tastings and craft beer on tap. Here are some notable breweries:

• Volcano Brewing Company in Tamarindo
• Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co. near San Jose
• Treintaycinco in San Jose
• Lake Arenal Brewery in Tilaran
• Monteverde Brewing Company in Monteverde
• Dirigo Fermentory in Alajuela

The best Costa Rican craft beers

Costa Rica has a thriving craft beer scene, with microbreweries popping up all over the country. From fruity ales to dark stouts, there's a Costa Rican craft beer to suit every taste. Here are some of the best craft beers the country has to offer:

Volcano Brewing Company

Volcano Brewing Company is located inside the Witch's Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo, Guanacaste. They started brewing in 2011 with the goal of producing high-quality craft beer for surf camp guests, and have since expanded to visitors from all over Costa Rica. They have 45 taps throughout their two onsite restaurants and bars, serving their own beers as well as other craft beers. Their signature beer is the Witch's Rock Pale Ale, a medium-bodied, balanced brew with tropical, floral, and citrus undertones—the perfect post-surf drink.

Papagayo Brewing Co

Channeling the beachy vibes of the Pacific coast, Papagayo Brewing Co offers four different beers: a Tropical IPA, Beach Lager, Offshore Ale, and Passionfruit Ale. Their brewery is in Solarium, about 20 minutes from Liberia, and they also operate The Brew House in Las Catalinas, Danta Beach.

Costa Rica's Craft Brewing Co.

Located just outside the San Jose city centre, this long-standing brewery offers one of the most widely available craft beers in Costa Rica. They offer a variety of beers, along with seasonal specials, from a Scottish ale known as Malacrianza to a tropical golden ale called Libertas. You can visit their brewery, order online, or find some of their craft beers at local bars and independent liquor stores across the country.

Treintaycinco

A large craft brewery brand with a wide variety of stouts, IPAs, and barley wine. Their eye-catching graphics and labelling tell the narrative of beer brewing in Costa Rica, making it a standout for supporting local culture. Their signature beer is Maldita Vida, with a dark fruity undertone, but they also offer a range of other unique beers, including Tumba Calzones (Hibiscus fruit beer) and Pelona (India pale ale).

Lake Arenal Brewery

One of the country's first microbreweries, Lake Arenal Brewery is located on the stunning banks of Lake Arenal. They offer house beers made with local mineral-rich water, imported German malted grains, American hops, and French yeast. Highlights include their Paradise Pale Ale and the IPA. They are also Costa Rica's first eco-brewery, powered 100% by solar and bio-diesel.

Monteverde Brewing Company

Monteverde Brewing Co. is a small microbrewery that produces different varieties of beers brewed from the local waters of the Monteverde region. They sell their beers to local distributors and through their own Brewhouse. They specialize in different ales, including red ale, American pale ale, golden ale, and India pale ale. The brewery and brewpub are surrounded by lush mountains in Monteverde.

The history of Imperial beer

Imperial, the most popular beer in Costa Rica, was first produced in 1924 by the Ortega brewery, owned by the businessman and Central America's first orthodontist, Carl Walter Steinvorth. The beer is now manufactured by the Florida Ice & Farm Company (FIFCO), which acquired the Ortega brewery in 1957.

The Imperial logo, designed by the brothers Enrique and Wolfgang Hangen, features an imperial eagle from European heraldry. This has led to the beer also being known as "Aguila" or "Aguilita" ("Eagle" or "Little Eagle") by Costa Ricans.

Over the years, FIFCO has introduced spin-offs of the original Imperial, including Imperial Light, Imperial Silver, and Imperial Ultra. Imperial is a pale lager with an alcohol volume of 4.6%, although there is also a lighter version with an alcohol volume of 3.5%.

In 2007, Imperial won a Gold Medal at Monde Selection in Belgium. The Imperial Beer Company also advertises itself as the first water-positive beer, reflecting Costa Rica's commitment to environmental sustainability.

Costa Rica's drinking laws

Drinking in Costa Rica

The minimum legal drinking age in Costa Rica is 18 years old. This applies to the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Many stores are prohibited from selling alcoholic drinks before 11:00 am.

It is illegal to drink in public spaces in Costa Rica. This includes the consumption of alcohol in parks and on beaches. Drinking in public can result in a fine or police caution. Alcohol should only be consumed in licensed premises such as bars and restaurants.

It is also illegal to drink and drive in Costa Rica. The country adheres to a strict legal drinking limit of 0.05% mg, which may lead to a fine of $410 or even jail time of up to 3 years.

Other drinking laws in Costa Rica include:

• It is illegal to serve or supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.
• It is mandatory for vendors to ask for ID when purchasing alcohol, and it is recommended that you carry a passport or driver's license to confirm your age.
• It is illegal to walk around with alcohol in many parts of Costa Rica, especially in public spaces.
• It is important to respect local customs and traditions when drinking in Costa Rica, and to drink responsibly.

Drinking Culture in Costa Rica

Costa Ricans enjoy socialising over a drink but prioritise responsible consumption. There are party areas to drink and dance all night, such as La California in the capital, Tamarindo in Guanacaste Beach, and Jaco Beach. However, in most places, drinking is a more low-key affair, often among friends and family.

Local beers in Costa Rica include Imperial, Pilsen, and Bavaria. These can be found in most supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. There is also a growing craft beer scene in the country, with microbreweries popping up all over. Popular craft beers include Treintaycinco, Segua, Libertas, and Malacrianza.

Frequently asked questions