Craft Beer In Peru

, Craft Beer In PeruSomething big and historic is happening right now and no one is talking about it.  Craft beer is now jumping hemispheres!  And ACB has taken it upon itself to travel far and wide to give you a first look at some of the amazing things happening out there.  You’re welcome.

Because great things are brewing in places you may never expect – places like Peru.

Welcome to the first in an ongoing series about Peru’s growing craft beer movement. And as an North American transplant now living in Lima, I hope to give our readers a glimpse of all the exciting things taking root in this colorful Latin American nation.

Better fasten your seat belts everybody – because things are getting serious in Peru.

Maybe a little history of beer in Peru is in order. And who better to turn to than the people who live and brew craft beer in this historic and culture-rich country? So, I recently met up with some of my brewing buddies for a beer (or three!) and a history lesson.

, Craft Beer In PeruTalking with Juan Mayorga from Brewery of the Sacred Valley was insightful – he jumped right in and said that “beers roots here can be traced back to Chicha!” Chicha is a traditional beverage from the Inca Civilization, which is based in corn that can only be found in the region.  Andres Lefevre, from Barranco Beer Company, agreed with Juan and added that beer was currency “back in the day.” “Like with Egyptians, they actually paid Incan workers with the beer.  How do you think they made Machu Picchu? Rather than money, the workers were treated to large parties on occasions and served free Chicha de Jora.”

I found Juan and Andres take on craft beer’s Peruvian roots, and its association with Chicha to be not only fascinating but as it turns out they were both on to something.

You see, one type of Chicha, Chicha de jora, is translated as “corn beer.”  The process of making this drink is very similar to beer, only it’s made using a type of corn found in the region rather than barley. So there you have it– the Incan culture was one of the first in the world with historical claims on brewing.

Okay so that’s the early years, but what has happened since?

Well we know the colonists came with whiskey, which also has very similar brewing processes as beer. And they also brought the wheat that’s needed to brew beer. Then In 1879 the Backus and Johnston Brewery was founded, which is now the largest brewery in Peru, part of the SABMiller and essentially the Budweiser of Peru.  Renamed Cervecería Backus & Johnston SA in 1994, they currently brew beers such as Cusquena, Pilsen, and Cristal, and for over 100 years have been the dominate Big Beer company here.

But now Peruvian-brewed craft beer is shaking things up big-time!

, Craft Beer In PeruIn the last 3 years, there has been an explosion of craft beer in Peru.  It makes sense, as Peru has become a major food mecca — people here know what it means to combine some great, fresh ingredients to make a world class edible product.

Alain Schneider, of Nuevo Mundo Cerveceria started throwing the growth stats at me, and it is pretty crazy.

Last year local craft brewers came together last year and founded an association. They put on a craft beer festival and 6500 beer-lovers showed up!  This year when the festival returns they are planning for twice as many people.

The number of craft breweries in Peru has been doubling every year, and today there are over 30 (that we know of).

Peruvian craft beer is garnering its own well-deserved identity. Brewers are traveling all over Peru as well as to other countries, showcasing their beers and spreading the craft beer word. And every time I have spoken to a Peruvian brewer, they say how things are about to explode, as if they haven’t already!

And this is just the beginning. There’s so much more that I can’t wait to share. So stay connected with us here at ACB for even more Craft Beer in Peru.

Salud!

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