Cuban Beer

This would make sense except for that whole part about neighboring countries like the Dominican Republic with lower or similar monthly incomes that actually do brew beer. Poverty and ability to grow hops have never stopped any country in the world (meaning the people of that country) from brewing beer.

 

Their rums and cigars getting here legally are good enough for now, would love to take a hiking/biking vacation there because they have some really beautiful pristine areas. They say the scuba diving there is unmatched as well. Every beer tastes ok after all that running around.

 

I do see a distinction, but not in the fact that beer is still made. Who cares who brews it if it tastes decent (for the style)?

 

Why can't Cuba import hops? According to the 2013 Barth Report, Cuba has the 12th largest brewing industry in the Americas, at 2,600,000 bbl.

 

I did previously state that they make beer, but making beer of a quality that is worth seeking out is what I was commenting on. The idea of Cuba producing the next Alchemist is funny to me.

 

Cuba has been a vacation destination for non-American countries for a while. Canada being one. I'm sure there are some Canadians on BA that have been and can fill us in. There aren't too many countries that don't have local beers so I'd suspect there are some...and I'll go with the odds and bet they're oddly similar to most other "international pilsners."

 

They do have beers. They are made by the government, like everything else. They are poor examples of the Caribbean adjunct style. There are no microbreweries (that I saw in three months living in Havana). If you started a microbrewery without government permission/backing, you would be thrown in prison. A can cost $1 (this would be equal to an entire day's pay for a Cuban worker). However, one big positive to the communist culture is no matter where you purchase a beer or bottle of rum, it cost the same. Gas station, jazz club, bar, restaurant...all $1 (maybe has jumped up, these are 2006 cost).

 

True dat. You can readily get the crappy stuff and I'm sure the high-end hotels have some imports. But the idea of a "craft brewery" seems ludicrous. But I wonder how many underground homebrewers there are making it a side business? In my limited time there, it seemed everyone had something small going on the side. Did you see any beers on the black market? I didn't.

 

Cervecería Bucanero S.A. is part of AB-InBev (jointly owned with the Cuba government).

 

A few black market restaurants and unbranded cigars, but not a single beer. I cant imagine there are more than a hundred Cubans who even know what great beer taste like.

 

Never been but there does seem to be micro-brewery/brewpub in the heart of Havana called Taberna de la Murella. They have a few beer listed on RB.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...ja_Cervezas_y_maltas-Havana_Cuba.html#REVIEWS

EDIT: It's actually on BA too http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16036/?view=ratings

 

Keep the political ranting out of this discussion.

I already had to clean this up once...if it happens again, the thread will be locked.

 

I have not had them. But that is pretty much all Caribbean and South and Central American beer. There are a few exceptions. But outside of Europe nowhere makes better than we do, and that can be argued either way. If you are in Cuba sitting on a beach although it would be pleasant to have a solid IPA, I doubt that would be too pressing of an issue for me. But back to the rum. Havana Club is amazing shit, especially the higher end stuff. As far as cigars, I have smoked some Cuban cigars and Honduran cigars, and cigars from several other countries and my conclusion is they all taste like shit and you cannot get the taste out of your mouth!

 

One thing is for sure the culinary diversity we have here in the US has slowly crept its way into Cuba and vice versa.
Many chefs from both countries have to shared their cultures especially starting obviously in South Florida but he spread throughout the culinary community. This has been happening for years so I see no reason why this same thing either will happen or has been happening we just don't know it yet. They probably keep it under wraps.

 

I spent three weeks in Cuba about 10 years ago and can affirm their beer is...not good. I had some home brew and at a street party and that was...not good also. To a man everyone I asked "what's the one American commodity you would want" answered immediately with "Budweiser." Also, the political and economic reality as I saw it lay somewhere between "brutal despotic dictatorship" and "democratic socialist utopia." It's a deeply complicated situation.

 

Cristal and Buccanero are great while you are there. And by great I mean ice, ice cold on a hot day as it is easier to get, cheaper and healthier than the water. I was there twice last year in Havana (wife was born there so we travel there legally). They also have a microbrewery (gov't owned of course) in the historic section of downtown Havana with three beers. Translated their names are light, amber and dark. Not kidding. They are not good at all but if you are hot and sweating your ass off as there are not many A/C places you will gladly drink it. Buccanero which they refer to as "fuerte", or strong, clocks in at a 5.4%. Considered an extremely high ABV by Cuban standards. It's a fascinating place as you will routinely see Cubans drinking and driving as well as discarding empty cans onto the ground as they walk around drinking. I'd also keep in mind Cuban beer is not the only beer option there. Heineken, Labatt, Molson, Corona and Peroni were found quite easily. I won't go on too much longer but one interesting story was that many gas stations we came across only sold 3 things besides diesel. Cigarettes, beer and rum. Gives you some idea how things are different there.

 

Bumping this old thread for a new report based on a visit this year. The beer at the government owned brewpub is much improved. I'd rate them as average now based on American standards. According to the brewers they have received supplies and training through a partnership with Salm Brau in Austria. There is also now a second location at an old wood warehouse on the waterfront.

 

I would imagine it to be on par with the likes of Corona. In which case I'd try one just for the country mark but that would likely be it.