Guatemalan Beer: Where To Buy The Country's Finest Brews

Guatemala's beer market is dominated by two major brewers, which has driven down prices for mass-market beer. The country's most famous beer, Gallo, is a 5% ABV pale lager and is available everywhere. It is also Guatemala's oldest beer, dating back to 1896. Other popular beers include Moza, Brahva, and Dorado Ice. In recent years, the country has also seen the emergence of microbreweries, such as the Antigua Brewing Company in Antigua, which offer more unique and complex flavours. While Guatemalan craft beer is still relatively rare, some establishments, such as Hops & Tales in Antigua, are dedicated to showcasing these small-batch brews.

Online retailers

If you're looking to buy Guatemalan beer online, there are a few options available to you.

One option is to check out the website of a local liquor store in your area that offers delivery or curbside pickup. By entering your address, you can find out the product pricing and availability near you. Some stores may have restrictions on displaying alcohol pricing online, so providing your address will help you access this information.

Another option is to visit online liquor stores or beer retailers that specialize in offering a wide variety of beers from different countries. Websites such as 'Total Wine & More' or 'Go to Liquor Store' are examples of online retailers that may carry Guatemalan beer. These sites often provide detailed descriptions of the beers they offer, making it easier for you to explore and discover new options.

When searching for Guatemalan beer online, you may come across popular brands such as Gallo, which is the country's oldest continually produced beer and the most famous within Guatemala. It is easily recognizable by its white and silver can featuring a black cockerel ("gallo" in Spanish). Other well-known Guatemalan beers include Moza, Brahva, and Victoria.

Keep in mind that some online retailers may have age restrictions and will require you to verify that you are of legal drinking age before allowing you to browse their selection.

Antigua Brewing Company

In addition to their craft beers, the Antigua Brewing Company brewpub offers live music and aims to bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy good food, great beer, and each other's company.

Guatemalan bars and restaurants

Guatemalan beer is largely dominated by two major brewers, which has resulted in low prices for mass-market beer. The country's most famous beer is Gallo, a 5% ABV pale lager that has been produced since 1896. It is sold in bars and restaurants across the country in a variety of formats, including cans and bottles, and is exported to other Central American countries, Mexico, France, and the US (where it is sold under the name Famosa). Gallo Light is a low-calorie variant with 4.2% alcohol.

The second most popular beer is Victoria, a 5% ABV pale lager that was introduced in 1996 and is now available nationwide. Other mass-market beers include Brahva and its higher-alcohol variant, Brahva Extra (5%), Dorado Ice (5%), and Monte Carlo.

In recent years, Guatemala has seen the emergence of microbreweries, such as the Antigua Brewing Company in the colonial town of Antigua, which produces small batches of beer with hints of chocolate and coffee. Another microbrewery, Cabro, uses the same recipe as Gallo but the water from the northern city of Quetzaltenango gives it a stronger, more complex taste. It is said to be even better on tap.

For those seeking a craft beer experience, there are a few notable options in Guatemala. Hops & Tales in Antigua used to be the only bar in the country with craft beer on tap, but it has since closed down. However, Antigua is now home to two brewpubs and several pubs with a range of craft beers, some of which are on draft. These include The Londoner, Chermol, and Bullseye.

In San Pedro La Laguna, Buddha Bar has been noted for its good beer selection, including major Guatemalan labels and imported craft beers.

In Guatemala City, a microbrewery in the trendy Zone 4 district offers beers at a number of bars and restaurants across the city.

Guatemalan stores

Guatemalan beer can be purchased from various stores and restaurants across the country. The most popular beer in Guatemala is Gallo, a pale lager with a 5% alcohol content. It is sold in most stores and restaurants and is also exported to other Central American countries, Mexico, France, and the US, where it is sold under the name Famosa. Gallo Light is a variation of the beer and is the first and only light beer in the Guatemalan market.

Another popular beer in Guatemala is Victoria, a pale lager with a 5% alcohol content. It was launched in the western part of Guatemala in 1996 and later expanded to the rest of the nation. Other well-known beers available in Guatemala include Chopp Gallo, Cabro, Dorada Ice, Dorada Draft, Monte Carlo, Moza, Malta, Rio, and Rio Light.

In addition to mass-market beers, Guatemala also has a number of microbreweries. The Antigua Brewing Company, located in the colonial town of Antigua, is one such example. It brings together Guatemalan and expat beer experts who collaborate on small batches of craft beer. Their beers can be found on the same street as the famous arch in the center of town.

Another microbrewery, Cerveceria Centro Americana, produces the Moza dark lager, which has hints of chocolate and coffee. This brewery also produces the national beer, Gallo, and Cabro, which is brewed in the northern city of Quetzaltenango.

For those seeking imported beers, certain areas of Guatemala, such as tourist spots in Antigua and San Pedro La Laguna, offer options like Corona, Heineken, Leffe, and Hoegarden. Additionally, Brooklyn Brewery beers have been spotted in various bars and restaurants in Antigua and Guatemala City.

Cerveceria Centro Americana

The brewery's most famous beer is Gallo, a 5% ABV pale lager and the country's oldest continuously produced beer, dating back to 1896. It is sold in various can and bottle sizes, and has become part of Guatemalan popular culture. It is also exported to other Central American countries, Mexico, France, and the United States, where it is sold under the name Famosa. Gallo has received several international certifications, including the gold medal "Monde Selection" from Belgium. The brewery also produces Gallo Light, the first and only light beer in the Guatemalan market, with low calories and a 4.2% alcohol content.

In addition to Gallo, Cerveceria Centro Americana also brews Victoria, a 5% ABV pale lager that was launched in 1996 in western Guatemala before expanding nationwide. The brewery has also begun brewing craft beer styles under the brand name Utz Pin Pin, with three different varieties: Cafe (coffee), Chocolate, and Especias (Spices).

Frequently asked questions