1.- MAJOR BREWING COMPANIES
The demand for Peruvian Beer in the interior of the country is quite extensive for this reason multiple companies have dedicated their production to its manufacture and distribution and are currently the main suppliers of multiple places that also offer it on a regular basis for the consumption of people and visitors.
1.1.- Backus and Johnston
Considered as one of the oldest brewing companies known throughout the country, besides being the largest, it was founded in 1889 and since then it has been the producer of Peruvian Beer brands such as Cristal, Pilsen Callao and others. Backus has been permanently recognized for the innovation that it frequently offers among its products, in addition to having promoted environmental sustainability during the last years, which has allowed it to implement ecological practices in all the production processes of Peru Beer.
1.2.- San Juan Brewery
A brewing company that has more than 100 years of trajectory being also recognized within the Peruvian beer market, the iconic Peruvian Beer that can be obtained from this brewery is the popular San Juan which thanks to the quality and flavor that has been positioned within the best at regional level in addition to this Peruvian Beer is an icon on local development and at the same time the support that is given to Peruvian agriculture.
1.3.- Sierra Andina Brewery
This company is characterized by distinguishing its Peruvian Beer in the artisan style, which has allowed it to be quite popular among consumers who are looking for not so traditional options but that maintain the quality, it offers a kind of Peru Beer made with local products which at the same time reflects the variety of cultural and gastronomic richness of Peru. This brewery has boosted during the last years the production and influence of consumption towards the Peruvian Beer in artisan style which generates a better approval of this type of Peruvian Beer.
2.- A WORLDWIDE PRIDE
“During the month of April of this year, the awards ceremony for the best beers in the world was held in the largest and most prestigious competition on the planet, the “World Beer Cup 2024”, where the award-winning Peruvian brewery 7 VIDAS won two medals: Gold for Rosé Brut and Silver for Breakfast Oatmeal Stout, positioning itself as the most awarded brewery in Latin America and one of the best in the world.”
3.- Aspects that stand out from the production of Peruvian Beer
3.1.- Economic impact
It is not a surprise that the consumption of Peruvian Beer has become one of the most important economic engines of the country since its production involves a very elaborate process that generates many types of jobs directly or indirectly, either during production and at the same time for the distribution of Peruvian Beer, this is an appropriate practice to contribute to the GDP of Peru and in parallel you can enjoy the tourist and gastronomic activity.
3.2.- Innovation and Sustainability
Thanks to the current trend that exists is reflected within the breweries as within the process of elaboration of Peruvian Beer central adequate practices of sustainability as is the case of renewable energy and at the same time the considerable decrease of waste, this has generated that not only the corporate image improves before the consumers but in parallel they prefer to consume all related to responsible products.
3.3.- Market diversification
Although until today the Cusquena Peruvian Beer is considered the most popular worldwide, during the last years it has had a direct competition that has been increasing in popularity and quality at the same time and they are the craft beers for this reason the beer market has been diversified with aspects of flavor, style, presentation and other attractions that call the attention of the consumer, for to travel is to change the clothes of the soul same reason the big breweries have been in the need to innovate products creating in this way options of unique flavors which has allowed the consumer to acquire different kinds of Peruvian Beer.
3.4.- Beer culture
Thanks to the significant boom in the appreciation of Peruvian Beer, festivals and events have been created exclusively to promote beer culture, although at first glance it seems that this benefits the brewing companies, the reality is that it has become an investment in the culture because thanks to this it has allowed to learn more about traditional places and at the same time to have a unique cultural exchange during travels.
4.- RECOGNIZED BRANDS OF PERUVIAN BEER
The popular phrase “between tastes and colors there are no authors” applies correctly when talking about Peruvian Beer, each of the popular brands are unique in their flavor, texture, body and even alcohol content. The main recognized brands of Peruvian Beer are elaborated in the company Backus, which is also considered the largest in Peru and something that few people know is that this company is actually a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, which for those who do not know is one of the largest brewers in the world.
Within a percentage aspect the beer community centers its preference in the Pilsen Callao, Cusquena Peruvian Beer and Cristal, these are considered as the three most popular beers in the whole country, however the first place is always in a great dispute between the Pilsen Callao beer and the Cusquena Peruvian Beer, since this last one during the last years has produced diverse variants offering the consumer much more options like the red beer, wheat beer and the most curious since it is the black beer. Of course there have also been other varieties that have been more linked to the regional culture providing unique options that consumers identify as property, for example in Trujillo Pilsen Trujillo is consumed or in Arequipa with the popular Arequipeña, it is also common to see the related in other aspects such as sports especially soccer where a team has been named in its name as is the case of Sporting Cristal.
5.- THE CUSQUENA PERUVIAN BEER
La Cusquena Peruvian Beer is considered one of the emblematic brands of Peru and recognized for its high quality within the segment of premium beers. Its production began in 1998 and since then it has gained a preferred position among the beer community that seeks a sophisticated and at the same time different experience, of this Peruvian Beer there are varieties:
5.1.- Golden Lager
This is the most representative of the brand, stands out for its bright golden color and a great creamy foam, this variety of Peruvian Beer is characterized by its balanced flavor and at the same time soft, made mainly of selected malts and high quality hops that provides a fruity and refreshing flavor, the fermentation process is low temperature which allows and ensures that the beer is clean and very easy to drink, it is the perfect complement that you will find when you delight your palate with Peruvian gastronomy.
5.2.- Dark Lager
It is the most outstanding variant as well as the most curious for its peculiar dark color and a quite robust body, the Dark Lager has a much more intense flavor resembling chocolate, caramel and highlighting the toasted barley. The fusion of flavors it has represents an explosion of experiences on the palate which makes it a perfect choice for those who have a preference for beer with more flavor.
5.3.- Wheat Beer
It is characterized by having more than 50% of wheat malt in its ingredients, it is considered the most refreshing and light beer of all varieties, with a very pale color and abundant foam, it delights its consumers with a fruity aroma and a touch of spices which makes it very pleasant on the palate, excellent choice for hot days and at the same time ideal to combine with light dishes.
5.4.- Red Lager
This is one of the last varieties to be launched in the market due to its great deep amber color and a malty taste, the red lager is the representation of the balance between sweetness and bitterness at the same time, it contains caramel notes that make it unique, it is considered as the most versatile option that adapts to any type of food, from traditional options to more complex dishes.
6.- CUSTOMS AND TRADITION FOR DRINKING PERUVIAN BEER
There is no specific time for this, in fact it can happen without previous notice, either at the table of a bar, with a group of friends in a nightclub, at a birthday party or simply an improvisation in the street, at any time there is the possibility of following the great Peruvian tradition of consuming a Peruvian Beer. This drink has been part of the celebrations during the last decades and having as the main custom that a group of people gather in a circle and rotate the bottle of Peruvian Beer next to a single glass which allows a direct interaction with other people, while one pours a glass passes the bottle and then drinks from the glass to finally also rotate this glass and so on until the bottle is finished, we are sure that it is not the most hygienic way to consume the Peruvian Beer but traditionally it is a way to promote fellowship and community spirit.
7.- INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
It is thanks to the tourist activity that has also involved in the culture some products of foreign origin because for many people it is much more pleasant to consume a product that they know from their country, among these options we have mainly Corona, Heineken, Budweiser and Stella Artois beer, although they are easy to get in any store or market are mainly consumed by foreigners.
8.- REGULAR PRICE OF PERUVIAN BEER
Being part of the culture it is possible to get a bottle of Peruvian Beer even in a nearby bodega or store, of course the other traditional options involve going to a bar and you can order it in your order, the regular presentation comes in personal options of 310 milliliters, 620 milliliters and 1 liter, the latter will be ideal if you are looking to consume the Peruvian Beer with a group of friends, naturally prices vary depending on the size and the place where you consume it, remember that it will always be much more expensive if you consume it inside a bar or exclusive local.
| Beers | Prices |
| Pilsen Callao | Starting at s/4.90 soles |
| Cusquena Peruvian Beer | Starting at s/ 4.50 soles |
| Cristal | Starting at s/ 4.00 soles |
| Corona | Starting at s/ 5.60 soles |
| Heineken | Starting at s/ 6.50 soles |
9.- LAWS FOR DRINKING PERUVIAN BEER
In Peru there is a law 28681 that dictates that the minimum drinking age is 18 years and older, of course this becomes a problem because the merchants do not always comply with it and what they prefer is to sell Peruvian Beer anyway, however thanks to the intervention of the police they try as much as possible to comply with this law by frequently fining those who violate it and thus promoting a better beer culture throughout the country.
Moreover during the national elections of any authority there is the popular dry law where the sale of alcohol is generally prohibited 24 hours before the voting process and 24 hours after, this with the intention of promoting transparency and at the same time clarity within the verification of results that may exist.
| “Life itself is the journey we appreciate the least.” |
10.- FAQs ABOUT THE PERUVIAN BEER:
- What is the most popular beer brand in Peru?
The first place is a perpetual confrontation between Pilsen Callao and Cusquena Peruvian Beer, both beers are the most popular in the country and are frequently consumed in celebrations and festivities.
- How many major breweries are there in Peru?
The production of beer in Peru has increased widely in recent years, apart from the large brewing companies that produce the traditional version, there are now many small branches that focus on the production of craft beer.
- Which company owns most of the Peruvian beer brands?
The Backus company is the largest company that contains the largest number of brands in Peru, as well as being the most popular in the whole country.
- What is the average alcohol content of Peruvian beers?
The average alcohol content of Peruvian Beer is 5.6%, this is replicated in the most popular brands such as Pilsen Callao and Cristal, while Cusquena Peruvian Beer is a little lighter with only 5%.
- Why are Peruvian beers mostly lagers?
The particular color of Peruvian Beer is due to the use of light or pale malt, this ingredient is what gives it this color in addition to the golden and clear appearance.
An experience in Peru involves visiting the most important places, enjoy its landscapes, delight your palate with the gastronomy and all accompanied by a Peru Beer, this undoubtedly complements always a good experience. Auri Peru wants your next travel experience to be unforgettable but even more special, contact us now and together we will design your next adventure.
“Time and beer have something in common, they cure everything.”
