Puerto Rico Craft Beer scene..

You can add Lya's Cafe to you list and Jibaro Ale to the brews to look for.

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1903009_700000590041329_134932446669965668_n.jpghttps://
www.facebook.com/LyasCafe?fref=photo

 

www.facebook.com/IngenieroMicrobrewery

 

any recommendations where to find good bottles around the San Juan or Gurabo area? I'm in town for a couple of days from Nor-Cal. Thanks!

 

I'm also interested in any recommendations where I can find great bottles in the San Juan area.

 

I never really found a great spot. I went to a couple of smaller liquor stores, and some bigger markets. Lots of random bottles, but nothing that really blew my socks off.

 

La Taberna Lupulo in Old San Juan is the place to be. Great tap list, awesome staff. I was there every night on my PR vacation this past summer. I had a couple of very good beers from Boqueron. Nothing else local blew me away, but it seems to be a growing scene.

 

Thanks for posting this. Will be spending a week in PR this year and was a bit worried. Will be following this thread.

 

Yeah, you can try this one also, if you're going to do some serious surfing.

http://rinconbeerco.com/

And also:

Puerto Rican Breweries

• Barlovento Brewing
• Boqueron Brewing Company
• Dacay Brewing Co.
• FOK Brewing
• Ingeniero MicroBrewery
• Old Harbor Brewery
• Red Dragon Breweries

 

Most definitely. Thanks for the info.

 

I've been living in GA for a while but I'm from the island and spend all Xmas breaks and most summers there so I'll drop my .02 in here for anybody visiting soon. The craft beer scene has been, in fact, growing pretty nicely over the last few years. However, it is still a work in progress. Iv'e known some beer aficionados that visited the island recently and when I asked them they only had "bad reviews" about the local offerings. These were mainly due to high expectations. I was there a few months ago and from what I saw the local breweries are still offering the basic stuff, so no Barrel aged, Imperial stouts, saisons, belgians, etc....yet. Keep in mind that most of the local brewers started from scratch with only homebrewing experience so the fact that they are actually making progress at a relatively fast rate is really impressing. That being said, some of the basic offerings are really nice.

I have liked everything that I've tried from Boqueron BCo. and Dacay. Some of my friends from the island have told me that Ingeniero is also doing some really good stuff (specially their Porter, Porter Rican). They also released a Chocolate-Marshmallow stout in collaboration with Barlovento (another early stage local company). I heard this one is really good too but never had a chance to try it. Old Harbor has been producing for 10 years or more as a BrewPub in Old San Juan but their stuff can be found around the island on either bottles or draft.

In terms of Bars: "La Taberna Lupulo", as it was mentioned above, is a really good spot in old San Juan with a great tap list including the locals and all the US selections that get imported. "Taberna Boricua" is also another good bar in San Juan to find the locals and they host (or get the a keg on day of) some of the releases too.

"Palmas Station" right in between Catano and Bayamon is another good stop. It is a weird Gas Station/Biker Spot/Restaurant/Bar but I guarantee it is a good time with good food and good brews. Iv'e seen a lot of bottles available "to go" of the local companies here too.

Around the island: Taska Gau in Ponce, and The Beer Box in Aguadilla are good places.

I don't know the current status about Brewery visits/tours but my guess is that this does not exist yet (I could be wrong). As mentioned Old Harbor is a Brewpub/Restaurant and I'm almost sure you can fill growlers but bring your own if you are planning this because theirs [empty] are ridiculously expensive. Boqueron Brewing Co. also has an open window on Saturdays that you can get growler fills.

Hope that helps a little.

 

Cool thread I lived in PR until I was 8 , I follow these guys they seem to get all the info on craft beer in PR https://www.facebook.com/CraftBeerPuertoRico, https://twitter.com/CraftBeer_PR

 

BUNS Burger Shop and The Place in Condado have pretty decent craft selections. Love spending time in PR.

 

This thread is actually quite helpful. Thanks to all that have commented. I will be in PR next week for 10 days and hope to check out a few of these spots. We will be road tripping the island and making stops in San Juan, Arecibo, Isabella, Aguadilla, Rincon, Moca, Mayaguez, and 4 days in Vieques. If anyone has any suggestions other than what is listed above, lemme hear em.

 

A few updates:

Taberna Lupulo and Taberna Boricua are still the two places to hit in San Juan.

Palmas Station is still in the same location but it is now a stand alone Bar and Grill. Huuuge with great food and most of the locals and the stuff that gets imported should be available there.

Saw some of the BoxLab offerings (the brewing operation at The Beer Box in Aguadilla) being on tap at their ""tap room"" recently so thats another brewery with product available. A farmhouse and a strong ale.

I've been told that kegs from Red Dragon (from Rio Grande) have been around (They have a saison and some belgians)

Another spot around the area that you'll be is Bros Brewhouse in Aguaga (route 115). It's a tiny bar and the homebrewer's hangout spot. They'll have some of the locals on tap.


I see that some of these places are active in Social media so if you have a Facebook make sure to start following them to get an idea of what will be available and the hours. Also checking the check in activity on un tapp d also helps.

Sounds like you'll have a good trip. I love that NorthWest coast region and the capping at Vieques should be on point.

Have fun!

 

Thanks so much. Do any of the breweries allow/ encourage sharing of any sort? I would love to bring some Chicago brews to give to owners/bartenders or whoever is around that wants to try something that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to.

 

I'm not sure the status of "Brewery visits" since most of those operations are very small. But if they do I'm 100% sure that they'd be thrilled to share/try new stuff. Same for the bars, specially in Beer Box and Bros Brewhouse. In San Juan is a different story since the bars are in the middle of the touristy area. But I'll guess that you'd be fine in Taberna Boricua. The brewer's association crew and the head brewer's are usually there hanging with the owner on the back patio.

I believe Pipeworks have some PuertoRican roots somewhere so if you take something from them that'd be a good conversation point.

 

Was at Taberna Lupulo last night. Certainly worthy of the accolades. The FOK Bomb was a nice local stout and there was a marzen from Cervecera de PR. I notice BA does not have these breweries listed. I'll do some research and add them, as the beers are pretty good.

 

Just got back from there and I'll add Barlovento Brewing Company to this thread

The Galeón IPA‬ was pretty great although it was a bit more like an English Bitter than an IPA

Also heard that Old Harbor closed