Belize's Beer Scene: A Tropical Adventure

Belize has a wide variety of beers available, with the most popular being Belikin Beer, brewed by the Belize Brewing Company. Belikin offers a range of beers, including lagers and stouts, with their regular lager holding a 4.8% alcohol content. In addition to their regular beers, Belikin also offers seasonal options, such as the Chocolate Stout and the Verano Beer. While Belikin dominates the market, there are other options available, including imported beers like Heineken and Red Stripe, as well as local craft beers from microbreweries.

Beers brewed by the Belize Brewing Company

The Belize Brewing Company, also known as BBCo or Belikin, was founded in 1969 and is a division of the Belize Beverage Company. The company was established by the Bowen family, who still own it today. Belikin is the leading domestically-produced beer brand in Belize and is tightly woven into the country's culture and heritage. The name comes from the Maya language and means "Route to the East", which some believe is the origin of the country's name. The beer's label features a drawing of a Pre-Columbian Maya temple-pyramid at Altun Ha.

Belikin is brewed for Belizeans by Belizeans, and the company mostly brews lagers and stouts. The most common Belikin is a light lager beer, but the company also produces a range of other beers, including:

• Belikin Stout: a stout beer with 6.5% alcohol
• Lighthouse Lager: a lager with 4.2% alcohol
• Belikin Premium: a premium lager with 4.8% alcohol
• Guinness Extra Stout: a bolder, more alcoholic version of the standard Guinness, with 7.5% alcohol
• Chocolate Stout: a seasonal stout with a chocolate flavour
• Verano Beer: another seasonal beer
• Sorrel Stout: a seasonal stout

Belikin's popularity is believed to be due to its long monopoly on the beer market, as well as its status as a brand that is tightly woven into Belizean culture and heritage. However, in recent years, the reduction of import prices for beers brewed in the Caribbean has resulted in an influx of new beers to the Belizean market, giving consumers more options and forcing Belikin to improve its game.

Beers brewed outside of Belize

While the Belize Brewing Company (aka Belikin) dominates the beer market in Belize, there are a few imported beers available in the country. These include:

• Heineken, produced in St. Lucia
• Carib Beer, from Trinidad and Tobago
• Red Stripe, from Jamaica
• Dragon Stout, a slightly popular beer also brewed in Jamaica
• Corona, Tecate, Dos Equis and Budweiser, which are smuggled in from Guatemala and Mexico
• Landshark Lager, brewed by Carib to a US recipe
• Presidente
• Miller
• Kuhbuli, a pale lager from the Dominican Republic

In addition, there was a huge reduction in import prices for beers brewed in the Caribbean due to an open market agreement with CARICOM, which has resulted in an influx of new beers.

Popular beers in Belize

Belize has a thriving beer culture, with a variety of local and imported beers available for consumption. While the country previously maintained protectionist policies that prohibited most foreign beers from entering the market, recent years have seen a reduction in import prices for Caribbean beers, resulting in an influx of new options for consumers. Despite this increase in competition, beers produced by the Belize Brewing Company (also known as Belikin) remain the most popular in Belize. Here is an overview of some of the most popular beers in the country:

Belikin Beers

Belikin, the country's leading beer brand, offers a range of lagers and stouts that cater to different preferences. Here are some of their notable offerings:

• Belikin Beer – This classic lager, fashioned after European recipes, has an alcohol content of 4.8%. It is named after the Maya word for "road to the east," referencing the Belize River.
• Belikin Stout – With an alcohol content of 6.5%, this stout has a smoky flavour that combines Canadian malt, German hops, and pure cane sugar grown in Belize.
• Lighthouse Lager – This light and refreshing lager is similar to Canadian Pilsner beers. Despite its easy-drinking flavour, it has a notable alcohol content of 4.2%.
• Belikin Premium – This unique-tasting beer is crafted from three separate malts and two types of hops, creating a distinct Belizean flavour.
• Belikin Chocolate Stout – A seasonal offering, this stout is a perfect treat for those with a sweet tooth.
• Belikin Sorrel Stout – Another seasonal variety, this stout is made from locally grown sorrel, adding a unique twist to your drinking experience.
• Verano – This summer seasonal beer is Belikin's take on "summer in a bottle." It offers a slight orange peel flavour with a hint of spiciness and a light tang.

Imported Beers

While Belikin beers dominate the market, there are also some imported beers that have gained popularity in Belize. These include:

• Heineken – Produced in St. Lucia, Heineken is now more readily available in Belize due to reduced import prices.
• Carib Beer – Originating from Trinidad and Tobago, Carib Beer is another Caribbean beer that has made its way into the Belizean market.
• Red Stripe – This Jamaican beer is also becoming more common in Belize, providing a taste of the island's beer culture.
• Kubuli – A pale lager from the Dominican Republic, Kubuli is the most common imported beer in Belize and can be found in most convenience stores and bars.

Craft Beers

In recent years, Belize has also seen the emergence of craft brewing. Island Time Brewing, based in San Pedro, is the country's first microbrewery, offering unique beers such as the Barefoot Blonde Ale. Additionally, Hobbs Microbrewery in Placencia has gained recognition for its Hobbs Blue Marlin Coffee Stout.

Whether you're a fan of classic lagers, hearty stouts, or experimental craft beers, Belize has something to offer. The country's beer culture is evolving, providing locals and tourists alike with a diverse range of options to suit their palates.

Imported beers in Belize

While the Belize Brewing Company (aka Belikin) dominates the beer market in Belize, there are a few imported beers that have made their way into the country in recent years. An open market agreement with CARICOM has resulted in an influx of new beers from the Caribbean, and some European beers have also gained entry.

Red Stripe

This Jamaican beer is widely available in Belize, and its distinct round bottle makes it easily recognisable. It has an alcohol content of 4.7% and is often served in buckets at bars and restaurants.

Carib Beer

Carib Beer, brewed in Trinidad and Tobago, is another common sight in Belize. It has an alcohol content of 5.2% and is one of the more expensive imported beers in the country.

Heineken

Heineken, produced in St. Lucia, is one of the European favourites that has made its way into the Belizean market. With an alcohol content of 5%, it is slightly stronger than some of the local beers.

Dragon Stout

Although not widely consumed, Dragon Stout, a Jamaican brew, is another imported beer that can be found in Belize.

Kubuli

A pale lager from the Dominican Republic, Kubuli is said to be one of the more common imports, available at most convenience stores, bars, and restaurants.

While Belikin still reigns supreme in Belize, the presence of these imported beers offers variety and competition in the market, giving beer enthusiasts in Belize more options to choose from.

Craft beer in Belize

Belize's beer market was once monopolised by the Belize Brewing Company (also known as Belikin), which brews mostly lagers and stouts, as well as Guinness. Belikin's popularity is thought to be due to its long-held monopoly on the market, with rival breweries unable to set up easily and nationalistic policies blocking foreign beers from entering the country. However, in recent years, import prices for beers brewed in the Caribbean have dropped, leading to an influx of new beers.

Belikin offers a range of beers, including Belikin Lager, Belikin Premium, Lighthouse Lager, and Verano, a summer seasonal beer. They also produce stouts, such as Belikin Stout, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Chocolate Stout, and Sorrel Stout.

The microbrewery in San Pedro, Island Time Brewing, offers Belize's only craft beer with their Barefoot Blonde Ale. This beer can be found at pubs throughout San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, and the brewery also produces other varieties such as Alpha Ale (golden ale), Daft Hound Creme Ale, and Teufel Hickory Aged Bourbon Ale.

Belize's beer prices are standardised at B$4 ($2US) per beer, whether purchased from a bar or store. Beers are always sold in singles, not six-packs or cases, and bars and restaurants often serve them by the bucket.

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