Best Places To Buy Panama Beer

Panama is known for its beer, with multiple brands produced by six companies. The three most popular beers are pale lagers: Panama, Balboa, and Atlas. These beers are cheap, costing less than 50 cents for a local lager. They can be purchased in grocery stores and bars, and are widely available throughout the country. In addition to these mainstream beers, Panama also has a growing craft beer scene, with several microbreweries and brewpubs located in Panama City. These craft beers can be found in supermarkets, as well as in the breweries' own bars. Some popular craft beer brands include Casa Bruja, Clandestina, and Central. These beers offer a variety of flavours and styles, such as IPAs, stouts, and ales. With its combination of mainstream and craft beers, Panama offers a diverse range of options for beer lovers.

Supermarkets

Panama has a thriving beer industry, with a range of options available in supermarkets. The country boasts two macro-beer breweries, and the three most popular beers are pale lagers: Panama, Balboa, and Atlas. These can be found in most supermarkets and smaller grocery stores across Panama.

Panama Lager

Panama Lager, with 4.8% alcohol, is often described as a mostly tasteless, watery, yellow, fizzy beer. However, it does have some corn sweetness and slight hop flavours, which give it an edge over similar beers. It is widely available in supermarkets and is usually priced at 50 cents or less per can.

Balboa

Balboa is also a pale lager with 4.8% alcohol. It has a similar flavour profile to Panama Lager but with a hint more pale malt flavour and is less watered-down. It is the favourite of the two for some drinkers. However, it can be harder to find in restaurants and smaller grocery stores.

Atlas

Atlas is the most popular beer in Panama. It is also a pale lager, but with 3.8% alcohol. It is described as a decent, bland, beach beer to quench your thirst. It is usually available alongside the other two main beers in supermarkets.

Soberana

Soberana is the fourth major Panama beer, a pale lager with 3.8% alcohol. It is described as the most watery and foul-tasting of the four. It is the least abundant, and any place that carries it will also have one of the other three beers available.

Craft Beers

Panama also has a growing craft beer scene, with several breweries offering a range of beers that can be found in supermarkets. These include Central Brewery, Clandestina Brewery, Casa Bruja Brewery, and Boquete Brewing Company. These craft beers typically cost a little more than the non-craft national beers, but they are small-scale productions of very good quality, with many winning international awards.

Buying in Bulk

If you are looking to buy Panama beer in bulk, it is worth checking out beer distribution stores, where you can often find cases of bottled beer. These stores usually require you to return the bottles.

Other Options

In addition to the main beers, Panama also has a handful of locally-made "import" beers, such as Coors, Budweiser, Miller, and Guinness, which are brewed in the country. These can also be found in supermarkets, alongside some true import beers from other countries.

Breweries

Panama has six breweries that produce multiple beer brands. The two most popular beers in Panama are produced by the two macro-breweries in the country, which are owned by large international brewing conglomerates. These two beers are Cerveza Panama Lager and Balboa, both of which are pale lagers with 4.8% ABV. The other two widely available pale lagers are Atlas (3.8% ABV) and Soberana (3.8% ABV).

There are also several independent craft breweries in Panama, including Casa Bruja, which was rated as producing the best craft beer in Panama. Casa Bruja produces a variety of beers, including a blonde, an amber, a stout, and a barley wine. Their IPA, Chivo Perro, is available on tap at the Londoner Pub in Panama City. Casa Bruja offers tours of their brewery on Saturdays for $15, which includes craft beer tastings and a souvenir pint glass.

Another craft brewery in Panama is Cerveceria La Rana Dorada, which has two locations in Panama City. They produce four beers, including a porter, a Belgian wit, a pale ale, and a pilsner. The Casco Viejo location has a fun atmosphere and a sunny patio, while the Financial District location has a warm, dark wood interior and solid pub fare. Happy hour at La Rana Dorada is 3:00-7:00 Monday through Friday, with 2-for-1 pints.

Other craft breweries in Panama include Istmo Brew Pub, 2 Oceans Brewing Co., 3 Gatos / Tres Gatos Cervecería, Animal Brew, Bocas Brewery, Boquete Brewing Company, Brüders Brewery, C3 Cerveza Artesanal, Centenario Brewing, Cerveceria Buena Vista, Cerveceria Central, Cerveceria Clandestina, Cervecería Feroz, Cervecería La Mansión, Cervecería Legítima, Cerveceria Nacional Panama, Cerveceria Vacamonte, Cerveza San Felipe, Curumbita Cerveza Artesanal, El Perico Mañoso, Gold Coast Brewing Company, La Fábrica, La Murga Cerveza Artesanal Premium, Pico Y Pala Brewing Co., Salsipuedes Brewing Co., and Strange Beers.

Bars

If you're looking to sample Panama's beers in bars, there are plenty of options. Panama City is home to many pubs and restaurants serving local beers, and some even offer tasting flights.

One popular spot is Casco Antiguo, which offers a tasting flight of four beers for free. They brew their own beer and were making an IPA when we visited. They also have delicious food, including a classic burger and a veggie pizza.

Another great option is the Londoner Pub, a nice British-style pub in an otherwise club-filled area. They have about ten taps with British beers, local macros, and two handles for Panama craft beer, including Casa Bruja's fantastic IPA.

If you're looking for a more relaxed and fun environment, Istmo Brew Restaurant is the place to go. They have two pubs in the Panamanian capital, one in El Cangrejo and one in San Francisco, serving six types of beer, including Dénari (Hoppy Ale, 5% alcohol) and Coclé (Porter, 5% alcohol). They also offer a short menu of great food to accompany your beer.

For those who enjoy German and European beers, head to Vía Cincuentenario in Panama City. This German restaurant offers a wide selection of beers, including Sapporo, and has a great ambiance.

Panama City also has some excellent beer gardens. One, located on Calle 50 y Calle 67 E, offers a wide variety of German and international beers, including Sapporo. Another, on Eduardo L. Maduro Lindo, offers beers, ambiance, and delicious wings!

So, whether you're looking for a cosy pub, a lively beer garden, or a tasty food pairing, Panama's bars have you covered when it comes to sampling their beers.

Restaurants

There are several restaurants in Panama that serve Panamanian beer. Here is a list of some of the best places to visit:

Casa Bruja

Casa Bruja is a home brewery that produces around half a dozen different varieties of beer, including an IPA called Chivo Perro. It offers brewery tours on Saturdays at 11:00 am and 12:30 pm for $15, which includes craft beer tastings and a souvenir pint glass. You can find their bottled beer at Felipe Motta Wine Store, or try it on tap at The Londoner Pub, which has a cosy, British-style atmosphere.

Cerveceria La Rana Dorada

La Rana Dorada is a local brewpub with two locations in Panama City, one in the Financial District and one in Casco Viejo. They produce four different beers, including La Rana Dorada Porter, a coffee-flavoured beer, and La Rana Dorada Blanche/Belga, a Belgian Wit with citrusy notes. They offer 2-for-1 pints during happy hour from 3:00-7:00, making it a great bargain.

Istmo Brew Pub

Istmo Brew Pub is another popular spot in Panama City, serving up a range of craft beers and pub grub. While their beers may not be as highly rated as those from Casa Bruja or La Rana Dorada, it's still a fun and grungy place to grab a bite and try something new.

Cerveceria Legítima

Located in the Bella Vista area, Cerveceria Legítima is known for its spacious premises and pleasant atmosphere. They offer a range of beers with high alcohol content, as well as milder and more refreshing options. They also have a "guest list" of ten beers from other Panamanian brands.

Tres Gatos

Located in the El Cangrejo neighbourhood, Tres Gatos provides a unique and exquisite experience. This small, cosy establishment has the feel of a lab run by beer enthusiasts, and they are constantly creating new and exciting recipes. Their Rocombey stout, with hints of dark chocolate and toast, is a must-try.

In addition to these craft breweries and brewpubs, you can also find Panamanian beers like Balboa, Panama, and Atlas in many restaurants and bars throughout the country. These beers are widely available and can be purchased for very low prices, often under $1.

Online

There are several options for purchasing Panama beer online.

One option is to use a grocery delivery service such as Instacart. Instacart offers free delivery on the first three orders and allows you to shop for products from your chosen store near you. You can browse through the available stores in your area and select a store that carries Panama beer. The app or website will then connect you with a personal shopper who will deliver your order. Instacart also offers in-store pickup or curbside pickup options, where you can place your order online and then pick it up at your selected store.

Another option is to check out the websites of specific supermarkets or liquor stores that operate in Panama. For example, Riba Smith Supermarket carries a range of craft beers, including some that are available online. Additionally, El Machetazo, another Panamanian supermarket, may also offer Panama beer for sale on its website.

When purchasing Panama beer online, you can expect to find a variety of craft beers with different styles, ingredients, and processes. These may include Witbier, IPA (India Pale Ale), Stout, Brown Ale, Porter, Pilsner, and Gose. The cost of craft beers in Panama typically ranges from $1.60 to $1.40, which is slightly more expensive than non-craft national beers due to their small-scale production and high quality.

Frequently asked questions