CASA Tours Switchboard

Patagonian Cervecerias

Posted on August 11th, 2007 by gomez.
Categories: The Apres Ski Lounge, Recent Posts, From the Guides, South America Food & Wine.

By M. David Johnson
Many people have caught on how serious Argentines take their food and drink. Argentina is often recognized as having the best beef in the world as well as producing some fantastic wines including Malbecs and Cabarnet Sauvignons. Argentines are also very proud of their Italian heritage and serve up some delicious pastas and pizzas. They are crazy for their national drink mate which has an entire culture surrounding it.
However down here in Patagonia and the lakes district, where there is a strong German influence, beer is taken very seriously. In Bariloche alone there are over a dozen microbreweries handcrafting tasty stouts, lagers, wheats, golden ales, red ales, IPA’s, bocks, frambuesas and scotch ales to name a few. These artisan beers are found throughout the region and can be enjoyed at many different pubs as well as the breweries themselves. One of the most distinct breweries in the region is found just outside the town of Bolson and is called the El Bolson Ceveceria. Walking through the front glass doors the visitor is immersed in a scent of fresh hops. This German influenced brewery serves up all its selections of tap, offers tasters, and can be complimented with a daily lunch/dinner special. Even better it has a campground on its premises so one can really indulge in all its flavors.
In Bariloche, I highly recommend visiting La Berlina where one can get scrumptious pizzas and platters of smoked deer, boar, trout and salmon as well as a variety of cheeses to go along with their handcrafted brews.
For a local watering hole try and find La Cruz, a micro micro brewery, where locals gather to meet up before heading out on the town. Situated in a very residential area, La Cruz can be a tough find, but its character and mouth watering IPA’s and Scotch Ales will be sure to delight.
Also in Bariloche is the Blest Brewery, a very fun and lively spot with plenty of brews on tap.
Yes the beer culture down here in Argentine Patagonia is fuerte and although it is somewhat overshadowed by its wine, beef and mate, it rates as some of the best beer I’ve ever tasted and offers a unique atmosphere for beer connoisseurs.

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