Brahva (Guatemala)
At first I liked this light watery, pretty standard Central America cerveza, enough to drink five litre bottles and miss the evening meal. Of course I woke up in the morning feeling hungry, sick and sorry for myself. Needless to say I never drank it again and opted for Gallo instead. Don’t let this be a reflection of the beer but of my own stupidity.
Gallo (Guatemala)
The English translation of Gallo is rooster so it’s guaranteed to get you going cock a doodle do, but this rooster is Spanish so he says “qui qui ri qui”. This light pale lager beer comes in small bottles, litre bottles and a crazy 3 litre water cooler\keg with tap for pouring. This backpacker’s favourite is cheap, and fun. Unfortunately it lacks any flavour but that can be forgiven.
Pilsener (El Salvador)
This enjoyable cerveza lager is made all the more pleasurable due to the fact that I had yet to be shot by any of El Salvadors gang members. It’s a thirst quenching light and watery drink if ever so slightly boring. Lacking in flavour it’s not special though it’s perfect for the hot climate.
Toña (Nicaragua)
The local’s favourite beer in Nicaragua this golden lager style beer is light and slightly refreshing. It’s really not that good a beer but I really like it. Although it lacks in flavour it’s left some fantastic memories of a wonderful country. Is that not why we drink beer in the first place, simply to have a good time?
Victoria (Nicaragua) 4.9%
A favourite with tourists because of its ever slightly more European taste. This pilsen comes in a light and frost version as well. Anything with the word “frost” in it is sure to go down well in this incredibly hot country, though this only refers to the microfiltration process not the fact it’s cold. Its golden, light, watery flavour tastes marginally better than Toña but lacks the feel good factor.
Imperial (Costa Rica)
A must have when in Costa Rica, if only because imported beers cost five times the price. As expected from Central America beer it’s light, pale, refreshing and inoffensive. Better than many in the region but not enough to stop me reaching for the litre of Flor De Cana rum purchased in Nicaragua.
Cerveza Panama (Panama)
Tastes strangely like banana, perhaps it’s because there’s so many bananas around or was it just because I ate a fried banana. Maybe this light and crisp beer really does taste like banana but I will never find out as I’m not going to be trying it again.
Cerveza Panama Light (Panama)
A lighter version of Cerveza Panama is probably good if you’re on a diet, not so good if you’re proud of your beer belly. Still has a banana taste, maybe I wasn’t making it up after all.
Balboa (Panama)
Named after the famous Rocky Balboa, well maybe not. This cerveza gets its name from Vasco Núñez de Balboa, a Spanish conquistador who established the first settlement in Panama in 1513. The beer is well packaged and well advertised, its light thirst quenching flavour goes down well in Panamas hot climate. Although preferred over Cerveza Panama, would I drink it back home, probably not.
Guiness Extra Stout – 4.5% (Panama)
This rekindled my love of beer, having spent too long in Central America I thought I had begun to stop liking beer. It’s not creamy like the Guinness in England, it quite watery but it’s seriously packed full of favour, you can taste the toasted barley and sweet malt, and it’s a real pleasure to drink. It’s perhaps the only beer in the Central American peninsula with an actual taste. Cleary it’s not a Central American brand but who cares it’s brewed locally and it’s at local prices.
