Guatemalan Beer: Where To Buy And Try

Guatemala is home to a variety of breweries, from mass-market producers to microbreweries. The country's most famous beer is Gallo, a pale lager that is ubiquitous across the country and has become part of Guatemalan popular culture. It is produced by Cerveceria Centro Americana, the national brewery, and dates back to 1896. Other well-known Guatemalan beers include Moza, Brahva, and Dorado Ice. In recent years, craft beer has also been making its way into the Guatemalan market, with brands like Utz Pin Pin offering unique flavours such as coffee, chocolate, and spices.

Guatemalan beer in the US

Guatemalan beer is not widely known or distributed in the US, and it can be challenging to find. However, with some searching, you may be able to locate a few options to try. Here is a guide to help you buy Guatemalan beer in the US.

Where to Buy Guatemalan Beer in the US

First, it is important to note that the availability of Guatemalan beer in the US may be limited, and your options may vary depending on your location. One option to try is Total Wine & More, which has a physical store and an online presence. According to their website, they offer Famosa Lager Beer, a Guatemalan beer, although availability may vary by store. You can check their website or contact them directly to inquire about specific locations that carry this product.

Another option to explore is online retailers. Websites such as Drizly.com offer a selection of Guatemalan beers for purchase. You can browse their website, place your order, and have the beer delivered directly to your doorstep, subject to your location. This option may be especially useful if you do not have easy access to physical stores that carry Guatemalan beer.

Types of Guatemalan Beer

Guatemalan beer may not be well-known, but there are a variety of brands and styles to explore. Here is a brief overview of some popular Guatemalan beers:

• Famosa Lager: This is a golden lager beer known for its full body, smooth bitterness, and delicate aroma. It is the most famous beer in Guatemala and is often enjoyed by those who appreciate a high-quality, well-balanced brew.
• Gallo: Gallo is by far the most popular beer in Guatemala and can be found everywhere across the country. It is a light and refreshing cerveza, similar to Corona Extra. Guatemalans hold it dear, and it is marketed as "Nuestra Cerveza" ("Our Beer").
• Cabro Extra: While not as popular as Gallo, Cabro Extra is considered by some to be the best-tasting Guatemalan beer. It has a flavour and body comparable to a lager, and it is produced by Cerveceria Nacional, a well-known brewery in the country.
• Dorada: The Dorada brand, including Dorada Draft and Dorada Ice, has a mixed reputation. Some find it decent, while others criticise its packaging and compare it unfavourably to other beers.
• Monte Carlo: This beer has an unfavourable reputation and is described as having a strange, hoppy flavour that doesn't suit a Guatemalan beer.
• Moza: Moza is a dark lager or bock-style beer with faint tastes of caramel, roasted malts, and brown sugar. While some find it unremarkable, it is recommended by some travellers to Guatemala as the best brew in the country.

It is worth noting that the availability of these beers in the US may vary, and you may need to explore a few options before finding your preferred choice. Additionally, online resources such as RateBeer.com provide ratings and reviews of various Guatemalan beers, which can help guide your selections.

Guatemalan beer in Guatemala

Guatemala's beer scene is dominated by two major brewers, Gallo and Brahva, which drive down prices for mass-market beer. However, there are also a number of microbreweries producing interesting craft beers.

Gallo and Cerveceria Centro Americana

Gallo is by far the most popular beer in Guatemala and is instantly recognisable due to its white and silver can featuring a black cockerel. It is a light and refreshing lager, akin to Corona Extra, and is relatively flavourless. It is also the cheapest beer on most menus. Gallo Extra is a darker version of the beer, which has been described as "nothing special".

Gallo is produced by Cerveceria Centro Americana, Guatemala's national brewery, which also makes Moza, a dark beer with hints of chocolate and coffee. Moza has been described as the best Guatemalan beer by some, although others have called it "the worst beer I have ever tasted".

Brahva and Cerveceria Nacional

Brahva is the second most popular beer in Guatemala. It is a watery pale lager, although the Extra version is a little stronger and has more flavour.

Brahva is produced by Cerveceria Nacional, which also makes Cabro. Cabro Extra has been described as the best Guatemalan beer by some, although it is not the most popular in the country. It has been compared to Dos Equis Lager Especial. Cabro Reserva, a premium version of the beer, is more expensive and has a more accentuated flavour.

Dorada and Monte Carlo

Dorada has a poor reputation among Guatemalans, although one source suggests that this is due to poor marketing rather than a poor product. Dorada Ice has been described as "dirty dishwater in a tacky, blue bottle".

Monte Carlo is a hoppy beer, similar to Heineken, which has been described as "skunked".

Microbreweries

Guatemala is also home to a number of microbreweries, although it can be difficult to find their products. One source from 2014 suggests that laws made it prohibitive for microbreweries to operate, although another from 2018 mentions a few by name, including:

• Antigua Brewing Company
• El Príncipe Gris
• Cerveceria 14
• Cerveceria Pantera
• Ave Indiana
• Ixbalanque
• Xamán
• El Zapote
• Kaalpul

Guatemalan beer in Antigua

Guatemalan beer is widely available in Antigua, with several local breweries and a range of international options.

Local Breweries

Antigua is home to several local breweries, including the Antigua Brewing Company and Antigua Cerveza. These breweries offer a range of craft beers, from IPAs and stouts to blonde ales and amber ales. The Antigua Brewing Company, founded in 2015, is located in an old colonial house near the famous Antigua Arch. It offers stunning views of the city and surrounding volcanoes from its rooftop terrace. The brewery is committed to brewing the best artisanal beer and promoting local craft beer culture. Similarly, Antigua Cerveza, founded in 2012, is the first craft brewery in Antigua and the third in the country. It has a cozy brewpub located in the town centre and offers flagship beers such as the Muy Noble Blonde Ale, Don Nadie Amber Ale, and Sin Novia IPA.

International Options

In addition to local craft beers, Antigua also offers a range of international options. Brooklyn beers, for example, can be found in multiple locations across Antigua and Guatemala City, thanks to an enterprising North American living in the area. Hops & Tales, a pub in Antigua that used to be the only bar in the city with craft beer on tap, served beers from the Salvadoran brewery Cadejo. However, it is worth noting that Hops & Tales closed in November 2015.

Notable Beer Places in Antigua

Some notable places to enjoy a beer in Antigua include the Buddha Bar in San Pedro La Laguna, which offers a wide selection of Guatemalan labels and international craft beers. The Londoner, Chermol, and Bullseye are also pubs in Antigua that offer a range of craft beers, some of which are on draft. Additionally, the Antigua Brewing Company's brewpub offers a unique Guatemalan experience with live music, good food, great beer, and a beautiful setting.

Guatemalan beer in San Pedro La Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna is a backpacker hub in Guatemala, known for its party scene, volcano-ringed Lake Atitlán and laid-back vibe. While the town has a reputation for heavy drinking, there are plenty of other attractions besides the cheap beer.

If you're looking to sample Guatemalan beer in San Pedro La Laguna, one place to head for is the Buddha Bar. This bar has been described as having the best beer selection in San Pedro La Laguna, and perhaps all of Lago Atitlán. It serves food that has been rated highly, and has three floors, each with a different vibe. The bar is located midway between the Pana and Santiago docks.

Another option is Hostel Fe, a party hostel with an on-site bar that can get pretty rowdy. It's a great place to meet other travellers.

For a more relaxed drinking experience, there's the peaceful garden cafe, Zen Cafe, which is a good spot for vegetarians and vegans.

For a more upmarket drinking experience, there's the Hotel Mikaso, which has a rooftop terrace with hot tubs and a beautiful view of the lake.

If you're looking to buy Guatemalan beer to drink elsewhere, you could try the local supermarkets and convenience stores, or ask at your accommodation.

Guatemalan beer online

Guatemalan beer is available to buy online from several retailers. Total Wine & More, for example, offers the option to buy beer online and has Famosa Lager Beer available in 6-packs of 12oz bottles. Spec's also offers the same beer for in-store pickup or delivery. Drizly is another online retailer that offers Guatemalan beer, although it is not clear which brands they stock.

The most famous Guatemalan beer is Gallo, which is available in France and the US under the name Famosa. This 5% ABV pale lager is Guatemala's oldest continually produced beer, dating back to 1896. It is sold in 350ml or 355ml cans and bottles, as well as 1-litre returnable bottles. Gallo Light is a low-calorie version of the beer with a 4.2% alcohol content.

Other popular Guatemalan beers include Moza, a dark lager with hints of chocolate and coffee; Brahva Extra, a pale lager with a higher alcohol content than the standard Brahva; and Dorado Ice, another pale lager.

Frequently asked questions