There's no Caribbean forum as far as I know but was hoping someone could chime in here on where to go for craft beer on these islands. I suspect there won't be much to choose from and I'll have to focus on rum and other spirits instead but maybe there's a bar or a good bottle shop someone could recommend. Thanks in advance!
I recently sampled some beer from St. John's Brewery. The Island Hoppin IPA was decent and so was the Tropical Mango Ale. I also had the Island Summer Ale but it had a very metallic taste so I could have just had a bad batch on that one.
Pie Whola is a great place for pizza and great selection of Belgian and German beers. It is in Frenchtown area. Small but great place with very nice bar. This has been the only really good beer place that I have found. Not sure of any bottle shops.
Hey Mecmd, checked out their website, I had heard of that place and I will definitely swing by. Do you know if they let you take bottles out there or drink on premises only?
Gotcha. Staying at a friend's condo and would love to bring something in rather than having to drive home after a few. Appreciate the info very much.
I believe you can purchase on premise. I can't quite remember, but I know I drank some at the pub and bought some at a grocery store on St. Thomas......
I got married on St. John back in 2005. I was actually suprised to find a few good local IPAs around, but the selection is pretty limited. If you want some good food and rum check out Sweet Plantains Restaurant and Rum Bar in Coral Bay.
Hey, thanks Cazlo, sorry for the late response. I'm actually going for my honeymoon in a few months, doing a little advance scouting!
My wifes mom has a house on St Thomas. The best bet is the taproom on St John in Mongoose Junction. The Taproom as others have stated is owned by St Johns Brewers. Mongoose Junction is walking distance as you get off the ferry. It is not a big place but you can bring food in or get food at a local place next door. All of the beer there is brewed by St Johns Brewers. They do have guest taps at times and they do make root beer and a energy drink. The place also has A/C (many places dont). Most grocery stores on St John and St Thomas carry their beer in 6 packs. Not gonna lie though it can be expensive. Most beers in the VI are expensive, it is the hard stuff that is cheap. The Taproom also has a few fun events at their location and on the beach. http://www.stjohnbrewers.com/
I'm literally in St. John right now as I type this. Yesterday I had a bottle of homebrew that some guy made and then sold to "The Tourist Trap" restaurant which was pretty damn good. He also had his beers at Ms. Lucy's so the guy is making his rounds. It was a brown ale and it came in a 12oz. bottle complete wth a label hahah. New tick!
I live on St. Maarten, and while I haven't been to St. John, I know most of the islands around here depend almost entirely on European imports from mostly Belgium. If you can't hit one of the local breweries mentioned about directly, I would say find a random grocery store or mart and see what they have. We've actually found a ton of decent but highly obscure imports from all of Europe by just popping into random stores across the island. Enjoy!!
You may also be able to still find Blackbeard Ale around. It use to be brewed in St Thomas but then they shut down and the name and label was bought out. It is still brewed but by a different brewery off island. Want to also mention Jost van ****. The island is amazing. There is a place right on the beach called Foxys. They brew all their own beer and the place is a slice of heaven. If you can make it over to the island check out the Daydreamer day sail. Well worth it. They drop you off right at Foxys then bring you over to White Bay (the best beach in the VI).
