Beer in the Caribbean

The beers of the Caribbean are unique to each island in the region, although many are variances of the same style. Each island generally brews its own unique pale lager, the occasional stout, and often a non-alcoholic malta beverage. Contract-brewing of international beers is also common, with Heineken Pilsener and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout being the most popular. The beers vary between the islands to suit the taste and the brewing method used.

Countries

Antigua and Barbuda

The national beer of Antigua is Wadadli beer, an alternative name for the island itself. It is brewed by Antigua Brewery, who also brews international beer and soft drinks under license.

Aruba

Balashi Beer, a 5%ABV all-malt pilsner, is the national beer of Aruba. It won the Gold Medal from the Monde Selection in Brussels in 2001, as well as the Grand Gold from the same committee in 2004.

Bahamas

Kalik Beer, a golden lager, is the national beer of the Bahamas, controlling over 50% of the beer market in the country. Winner of three consecutive Gold Medals from Monde Selection, it is also stronger than most Caribbean lagers, at 7%ABV. Its brewer, Commonwealth Brewing Ltd, also brews Kalik Light and Kalik Regular, two lagers lighter than the original.

Barbados

Barbados is home to the Banks Barbados Brewery, which brews Banks Beer, a pale lager, as well as Banks Amber Ale. Banks also brews Tiger Malt, a non-alcoholic malted beverage.

There is a separate Banks beer company in Guyana, Banks DIH, and the two breweries merged in 2005 with the intention to market their beer internationally.

Dominica

The national beer of Dominica is Kubuli, an amber-colored lager which won the Monde Selection Gold Medal in 2002.

Dominican Republic

Brands represented include Presidente and Presidente Light, Bohemia Especial, The One and Quisqueya.

Haiti

Prestige is one of the best beers in the caribbean. Prestige is the name for a brand of American-style lager produced by Brasserie Nationale d'Haiti in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It is the best-selling beer in Haiti with a 98% market share [1] and so far its only native beer. Prestige beer is also available in some parts of the United States.

Prestige beer was launched in 1976, less than 2 years after BRANA's creation. In 2000, it won the gold medal at the World Beer Cup for American-style lager [2] World Beer Cup#American-Style Lager and in 2005 it started being exported to select American cities.

Jamaica

Red Stripe is an internationally popular Jamaican beer produced by Desnoes & Geddes. It is a pale lager. The company also produces Red Stripe Light, Dragon Stout and Malta, a non-alcoholic beverage.

Kingston 62, alternately Kingston Beer is a pale lager also sold on the island.

Puerto Rico

Medalla Light is a Puerto Rican beer. Silver Key, is produced in the same brewery. The beer won first prize in 2005 for light beer in Brussels awarded by Monde Selection. Currently it is the top selling beer in Puerto Rico. Plus they launched Magna on August 1, 2011. A new brewery opened in Ponce in 2012, their beer is called Buyé. Micro and nano breweries are gaining popularity in the island, Old Harbor Brewery in Old San Juan has been in operation for a few years and their beers can be found in limited quantities around the island. Also among the small batch micro brews or nano brews there is Boquerón Brewing Co. in Cabo Rojo and Dacay Beer in Guaynabo.

References

• Jackson, Michael (1977). The World Guide to Beer. New York: Ballantine. ISBN 0-89471-292-6.

External links

• Biere Lorraine
• Beer of the Caribbean