The craft beer industry rethinks the traditional way of consuming beer and turns it into a more mindful practice. Working in this industry is truly exciting, as making craft beer is not an easy task. Patience, knowledge, and ingenuity are essential ingredients for preparing balanced blends in aroma, taste, and color, offering a new experience.

Discover six of the best craft breweries in Colombia and the experience behind their drinks.

1. Non Grata, the complement of a gastronomic experience

For the owners of this brewery, the history of Non Grata began casually. This craft brewery is inspired by a different way of seeing the world through design and, of course, of consuming beer. Their invitation as a brand is to challenge tradition, proposing new ways of acting, drinking, and living.

The word ‘Non Grata’ comes from Latin and means "not welcome". By using this, the brand’s owners refer to three things that “are not welcome” for those trying this craft beer for the first time. First, because it is created to be a gastronomic experience, secondly, because they use non-traditional ingredients like plantains or mustard seeds, and finally, because of the high alcohol content in all their beer types.

Jack El Destripador, a character transformed into beer

One of Non Grata's best beers was designed in an unconventional way, as its concept started with creating a strong drink that invites people to live a different experience when drinking beer.

This strong liquor moved from a very specific time and place in England at the end of the 19th century (the Whitechapel district in London), during the time of Jack the Ripper, one of the most famous serial killers of the time. However, for the owners of Non Grata, Jack is not a killer, but a shadow that converses with those who try this beer.

The result is a craft beer with 8.8% alcohol, almost double that of a normal beer. It also contains 6 different types of malt. This drink has a dark color and a woody aroma because it was aged in American oak barrels that previously contained Jack Daniels Tennessee whiskey.

These craft beers can be found in more than 50 bars and restaurants, and they will soon open their first Pub.

2. Cerveza La Milagrosa, the love of grandmother

The name of this beer bottle pays homage to all Colombian grandmothers who enjoy life to the fullest and have always had the cure for everything with their home remedies. It is dedicated to this important family figure in Latin culture who inspires generations that watched and said: "When I grow up, I want to be like her."

The brand was founded in 2016, inspired by all the grandmothers whose personalities are reflected in their different types of beer. These craft beers are a tribute to the wonderful women who pampered and fed their grandchildren.

India Pale Ale, greatness is the limit

Although they have more than four ‘grandmother’ profiles or types of craft beer, the most famous is the India Pale Ale. It is inspired by the grandmother who preaches that happiness is also a taste to remember, like the combination of a mysterious aroma with an intense taste that, although bitter, gives way to a sweet flavor.

A grateful gesture to strong-willed women who taught them that greatness is born where dreams end. It is a copper-colored beer with 7.1% alcohol, a strong bitter taste, and a well-balanced body, deep aroma, and a flavor similar to American hops.

3. Cerveza Tres Cordilleras shows #LoMejorDeColombia

Tres Cordilleras has more than ten years in the Colombian industry. The name is due to the three main mountain ranges that cross the country and geographically stand out in most of the territory.

This Colombian venture started when the brand owner approached the craft beer market in the United States by working for six years at Sweetwater, a very well-known brewery in Atlanta at the time. After that, he thought it was time to bring all that knowledge and create an exciting concept in Colombia.

Rosé, the versatility of raspberries in a bottle of beer

Rosé is a term used to refer to a type of wine that has a light pink color due to limited contact with the grape skin. However, this drink is the result of finding malts and wheat that resemble raspberries to recreate a sweet beer.

Inspired by a European recipe, this beer has 3.8% alcohol. Its fine aroma and its sweet and bubbly personality are the most outstanding, along with the complementary red fruits that provide a natural freshness, a perfect balance that ends with citrus touches.

4. La Sultana, a Belgian recipe with a Colombian twist

This beer was created in Cali, capital of the Valle del Cauca department and also of the Pacific Region. As a result, it is also known as "the Sultana del Valle", standing out as a privileged position in the region. It is a tribute to the world capital of salsa, one of the most colorful and joyful regions in the country, where the people are recognized for their warm and welcoming personalities. Behind this concept, the brand owner wanted to give this city, the people of Cali, and anyone who craves a good beer.

Morronga, the beer personality of a woman from Cali

The term “morronga” is mainly used in the region to define a person who appears to be quieter than they really are. Someone who reveals their true personality once you get to know them, usually hiding a flirtatious personality that ends up captivating others.

This is the concept behind La Sultana’s main beer, a very pleasant blonde with a captivating aroma that makes you feel good when you have it, and with each sip, a new layer of its personality is discovered. Suddenly, without realizing it, you have already surrendered to its charms.

Morronga comes from a Belgian Blond Ale recipe that succeeded in the first preparation. It has 5.5% alcohol content and a golden color. In addition to that, it has many citrus and herbal aromas, and a trace of moderate bitterness for a dry finish.

5. Mela’s, a beer born between the kitchen and academia

Its partners: two master brewers, a professor, and a student, created different types of high-quality beer with unique flavors and fusions that appeal to Colombian local culture. Mela’s Craft Beer was born in 2016, and its name has a very special meaning; it is the nickname of Carmenza Vélez, the mother and source of inspiration for one of the creators.

Each bottle of Mela’s beer is the result of a blend with classic Colombian drinks like ‘lulada’, ‘salpicón’, coffee, and organic panela, as well as exotic fruits from the country. They also offer refreshing non-alcoholic carbonated drinks for any occasion.

The ‘lulada’ that became beer

This clever beer has 5.5% alcohol content and is a mix of lulo pulp and Himalayan salt, becoming one of the best craft beers from Mela’s. Its sour taste honors one of the most popular drinks in the world capital of salsa, Cali.

6. Dog Pi Brewery, beers with character

These beers are the result of a dance between passion and science to break traditional molds from their conception, as they contain high amounts of hops and barley to deliver unique flavors, as well as unconventional ingredients like native Colombian fruits that allow for a sensory journey through the tastiest corners of the country.

Thanks to their experience in fermentation and considering the perspective of their customers, Dog Pi offers both regular and seasonal beers, such as Pacífica (blue beer with jagua), others with sour guava or jaboticaba, and even ciders, carbonated drinks, and cold brew coffee with liquor – covering all tastes of their consumers.

Carmen, winner of the “Copa Cervecera Ingredion 2020”

This champion beer is a tribute to the goddess of agriculture, Demeter, being a pagan representation of the Virgin of Carmen, who exemplifies the loving mother who gives everything to her children without measure. In this case, she gives us corn, the main ingredient of this Hoppy Golden with an intense golden color.

This beer is characterized by providing a different sensory experience, where you can appreciate each of its flavors thanks to the high concentration of its ingredients. Through a refreshing experience, it culminates in a maternal embrace of flavors and an intense aftertaste, making you always want to come back for more.

Keep an eye on the Ingredion beer competition!

After learning about some great examples of Colombian craft breweries, how about getting to know more about the Copa Cervecera Ingredion 2021?

Ingredion, the global ingredient solutions company, is holding the second edition of its Copa Cervecera, an event that invites Colombian craft breweries to develop a craft beer using the yeast nutrient NUTRIBREW® 5050 and at least one of the ingredients from their brewery portfolio.

This 2021 competition is approaching its final stage, where the first, second, and third places will be awarded. We invite you to learn more details and stay tuned for the announcement of the winners: enter here for more information.

Without a doubt, tasting a craft beer made in Colombia is quite an experience. Build the best memories by exploring #LoMejorDeColombia.

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