Ecuadorian Beer: Where To Buy The Best Brews

Ecuadorian beer has evolved over the years, with the craft beer revolution taking the country by storm and putting Ecuador on the map in international beer competitions. The capital city of Quito is now a hub for craft breweries, with over forty breweries offering a diverse range of beer labels and atmospheric pubs. If you're looking to buy Ecuadorian beer, online retailers like Lisbon Wines & Liquors and Pequeña Sudamérica offer delivery of popular Ecuadorian beers like Pilsener and Club Clásica Cerveza Premium. GotoLiquorStore also provides beer, wine, and liquor delivery from local stores, partnering with them to fulfil orders. So, whether you're in Ecuador or abroad, you can now easily get your hands on a variety of Ecuadorian beers to enjoy with friends, football, and parties, creating memories and embracing the Ecuadorian culture.

Ecuadorian craft beer in Quito

Ecuador's capital, Quito, has seen a surge in its craft beer scene, with over forty breweries now in the city. This revolution has seen small, independent brewers take on the big beer giants, changing the country's drinking and social habits.

Quito's craft beer movement has grown rapidly, with a diverse range of beer labels and atmospheric pubs now on offer. The city's ex-pat community has long lamented the lack of variety in Ecuador's beer scene, with Ecuadorian Pilsener and Club beer often the only choices. However, a decade ago, things started to change. Ex-pats began brewing their own craft beer, and Ecuadorians loved it.

Today, Quito's craft beer comes from small operations, like Sinners, Bandido, and Andes, often made in the brewer's garage with a local perspective. Jervis, from Monkey's Brew, makes his Bloody Bastard Red Ale with pure sugarcane molasses grown in the Ecuadorian jungle, adding a deeper sweetness than a traditional Amber Ale. Other breweries like Camino del SOL, founded in 2011, represent the diversity of Ecuador, using iconic animals to represent each of the country's regions. Their BrewPub, located in the heart of Quito Plaza Foch, is popular with American and European tourists. Abysmo Brewpub is another key player in the craft beer industry, with bars in both Quito and Cumbaya.

For those looking to sample some of Quito's craft beer, San Blas Beer in the historic centre, Paramo Brauhaus and Sabai Beer in the valley of Quito, and Django Beer are all great options. Each brewery and bar offer unique takes on beer, using ingredients from Ecuador's four distinct regions to create tasty, local flavours.

Online stores for Ecuadorian beer

There are several online stores where you can buy Ecuadorian beer. Here are some options:

Go to Liquor Store

This website offers beer, wine, and liquor delivery from local stores. To check product pricing and availability, you need to provide your address. The platform partners with local stores to fulfil orders. However, you must be of legal drinking age to enter the site and place an order.

Pequeña Sudamérica

Pequeña Sudamérica offers Pilsener beer from Ecuador. This blonde, bitter beer has been a symbol of friendship and tradition in Ecuador since 1913. It is made from 100% natural ingredients, including water, malted barley, rice, and hops. You can sign up to be notified when the product is back in stock.

Lisbon Wines & Liquors

Based in Newark, NJ, Lisbon Wines & Liquors offers Club Clásica Cerveza Premium Ecuadorian Beer. You can explore their website to find out more about their beer selection and any ongoing promotions.

BeerMenus

BeerMenus helps you discover where to buy specific beers near you by allowing you to search for a particular beer and find local businesses that sell it. While it doesn't facilitate direct purchases, it can guide you to stores or websites where you can buy Ecuadorian beers, such as Pilsener, the most popular beer in Ecuador.

Ecuadorian beer in the USA

If you're looking to buy Ecuadorian beer in the USA, you may be able to find it at specialist beer stores or certain South American grocery stores. It's always a good idea to call ahead and check with the store to see if they stock it and what specific brands they carry. Some popular Ecuadorian beers to look out for include Pilsener, which is a blonde beer with a 4.2% alcohol content and a fine bitter taste, and Cerveza, which is typically served in restaurants.

For those in the NYC/Hudson County area, online resources and communities like BeerMenus and Reddit's /r/beer can be a great help in tracking down specific types of beer in your local area. BeerMenus, for example, allows you to search for a particular beer and find the nearest store or restaurant that stocks it.

When buying Ecuadorian beer in the USA, it's worth noting that prices may be higher than what you would find in Ecuador. Beers tend to be reasonably priced at eateries, and you can usually find them for a lower price in grocery stores.

Additionally, keep in mind that alcohol sales regulations can vary between countries and even between states or cities within the USA. For example, in Ecuador, alcohol is not sold on Sundays or during election weekends. So, it's always good to be aware of the local laws and regulations regarding alcohol purchase and consumption.

Ecuadorian beer in Europe

Ecuadorian beer has become increasingly popular in Europe, with its unique flavours and diverse range of beer labels. The craft beer movement in Ecuador has transformed the country's drinking culture and social scene, with small, independent brewers challenging the big national brands. This revolution started when expats in Quito began brewing their own craft beer, which was soon loved by Ecuadorians.

Availability in Europe

While Ecuadorian beer is mostly available in South America, there are a few ways to get your hands on it in Europe. One option is to look for online retailers that specialise in international beers or liquor delivery services that source products from local stores. These websites often require you to provide your address and verify your legal drinking age before displaying product availability and pricing.

Popular Ecuadorian Beers

Some of the highest-rated Ecuadorian beers, according to RateBeer.com, include those from Amerik, a small family-owned business in Quito. Their beers have won awards at the Copa Cervecera Mitad del Mundo, an Ecuadorian craft beer competition. Amerik's brewery is located inside Hostel Viajero, and their beers can also be found on tap at Claroscuro Gastro Club in Quito.

Distinctive Flavours

Ecuadorian craft brewers use innovative recipes with local ingredients, such as guayasa tea, honey, ginger, cacao, vanilla, citrus, and even pineapple. These unique flavours have earned Ecuadorian beers recognition in international beer cups and put the country on the map in beer competitions within South America.

Traditional Beers

In addition to these innovative craft beers, Ecuador also has its traditional beers. Pilsener, for example, has been an Ecuadorian favourite since 1913 and is made from 100% natural ingredients, including water, malted barley, rice, and hops. It is known for its fine bitter taste and pronounced aroma.

Traditional Ecuadorian beer

Ecuador's craft beer scene has been undergoing a revolution, with small independent brewers taking on the beer giants and changing the country's drinking and social habits. Ex-pats and locals alike are embracing the variety of new beers on offer, from dark beers to IPAs and stouts to porters.

One of the most well-known Ecuadorian beers is Pilsener, which has been a symbol of friendship and tradition since 1913. It is made from 100% natural ingredients, including water, malted barley, rice, and hops, and is known for its fine bitter taste and pronounced aroma. Pilsener is typically served very cold at around 3°C and has become a staple at family gatherings, football matches, parties, and meals featuring traditional Ecuadorian cuisine.

Another notable example of Ecuador's beer culture is Amerik, a small family-owned business that exemplifies the country's brewing passion and perfection. Amerik, pronounced "Amerikah" in Spanish, reflects the founders' belief that everyone living in North, Central, and South America is American. Their beers, including an IPA and a Porter, have won awards at the Copa Cervecera Mitad del Mundo, showcasing the high quality and unique flavours that Ecuadorian craft beers have to offer.

In addition to these traditional beers, Ecuador has embraced innovative recipes that incorporate local ingredients such as guayasa tea, honey, ginger, cacao, vanilla, citrus, and even pineapple. This fusion of Ecuadorian characteristics with international beer styles, such as German Weissbier, UK ciders, and Belgian blondes, has resulted in a diverse range of craft beers that are gaining recognition in beer competitions across the continent.

As the craft beer movement continues to grow in Ecuador, it is not only transforming the drinking preferences of locals and ex-pats but also reshaping the social scene in cities like Quito. The emergence of atmospheric pubs, tap rooms, and breweries has provided new spaces for people to gather, socialise, and savour the diverse flavours of Ecuadorian craft beers.

Frequently asked questions