Belize's Beer Scene: A Guide

Belize has a wide variety of beers available, from local brews to imported Caribbean beers. The most popular beer in Belize is Belikin Beer, a classic lager with 4.8% alcohol content. It is produced by the Belize Brewing Company, which also offers other beers such as Belikin Stout, Lighthouse Lager, and Belikin Premium. In addition to Belikin, there are also a few craft breweries in Belize, such as Island Time Brewing, which produces Belize's only microbrew, the Barefoot Blonde Ale.

When it comes to imported beers, Belize allows a select few Caribbean beers to be sold in the country. Some of the imported beers available include Red Stripe from Jamaica, Heineken from St. Lucia, Carib from Trinidad and Tobago, and Dragon Stout, also from Jamaica.

Beers brewed by the Belize Brewing Company

The Belize Brewing Company, established in 1969, is the leading domestic producer of beer in Belize. The company mostly brews lagers and stouts, including Guinness, which is brewed with a slightly different recipe than the European version. The Belize Brewing Company's tagline is "The Beer of Belize", and its beers are brewed "For Belizeans, by Belizeans, & Onli Eena Belize".

The company's most popular beer is Belikin, named after the Maya word for "road to the east", a reference to the Belize River. Belikin is a classic lager beer modelled on European recipes, with an alcohol content of 4.8%. The beer's label features a drawing of a Pre-Columbian Maya temple-pyramid at Altun Ha.

Belikin Stout is a smoky-flavoured beer, combining Canadian malt, German hops, and pure cane sugar grown in Belize. It has an alcohol content of 6.5%.

Lighthouse Lager, also known as Lighthouse, is a light and refreshing beer, similar to Canadian Pilsner beers. Despite its light flavour, it has an alcohol content of 4.2%.

Belikin Premium has a unique taste, made from three separate malts and two types of hops. Its alcohol content is 4.8%.

The Belize Brewing Company also produces a Belizean version of Guinness Stout, which has a stronger taste and higher alcohol content than the European version.

In addition to these main offerings, the Belize Brewing Company also offers seasonal beers, including a Chocolate Stout and a Sorrel Stout made from locally-grown sorrel.

Beers imported into Belize

Belize has historically prohibited most foreign beers from entering the country, with nationalistic policies blocking imports. However, in recent years, the country has seen a huge reduction in import prices for beers brewed in the Caribbean due to an open market agreement with CARICOM. This has resulted in an influx of new beers from the region.

• Red Stripe – A Jamaican classic, often found in its iconic rounded bottle.
• Heineken – One of the most popular beers in Europe, brewed in St. Lucia.
• Carib – A refreshing lager brewed in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Dragon Stout – A slightly popular beer, also brewed in Jamaica.
• Kubuli – A pale lager from the Dominican Republic, increasingly seen in convenience stores and bars in Belize.
• Presidente – A beer that is advertised in Belize.
• Corona – A beer that can be found at family parties and local weddings, smuggled in from Guatemala and Mexico.
• Tecate – Another beer that is smuggled in from Guatemala and Mexico for special occasions.
• Dos Equis – A beer that is often seen at weddings and family parties, smuggled in from neighbouring countries.
• Budweiser – Another beer that is popular at weddings and family gatherings, but not legally available in Belize.

While Belikin beers still dominate the market in Belize, the reduction in import prices has led to a greater variety of beers for consumers to choose from.

The history of beer in Belize

Belize has a proud history of brewing delicious local lagers, with Belikin Beer being the most famous brewer in the country. The name Belikin comes from a Maya term for the Belize River, literally meaning "road to the east". The Belize Brewing Company, owned by the Bowen family, was established in 1969 and began brewing Belikin Beer and Belikin Stout in 1971. Its tagline is "The Beer of Belize".

The most common Belikin is a light lager beer, but the company also produces several other beers under the Belikin name, including Belikin Premium, Belikin Light, Lighthouse Lager, Guinness Stout, Chocolate Stout, and Sorrel Stout. Belikin is also a licensed brewer of Guinness Stout, putting its own spin on the classic recipe with more ABV than the European version.

In recent years, Belikin has also started offering seasonal craft beer styles, such as Summer Ale, Chocolate Stout, and Sorrel Stout. In addition, a microbrewery has sprung up in San Pedro, producing craft beer on a small scale.

Today, the Belize Brewing Company continues to be a family-owned business, with Sir Barry's son, Michael H. M. Bowen, taking over as CEO after his father's passing in 2010. Under Michael's leadership, the company has introduced new offerings, upgraded equipment, and expanded the Belikin Beer family to include additional varieties. The company remains committed to its Belizean roots and strives to meet the expectations of the discerning Belizean consumer, known for their refined palate for well-brewed beer.

The best beers in Belize

Belize has a proud history of brewing delicious local lagers, and the small Central American nation's native beer is well worth trying.

Belikin

The most popular beer in Belize is Belikin, which is made by the Belize Brewing Company. Belikin has a near monopoly on the domestic beer market, and for many years it was the only beer you could buy in Belize. The name comes from a Mayan term for the Belize River, literally meaning "road to the east". Belikin is a multi-generational family-owned business based in Ladyville, just outside Belize City. It was founded in 1969 and is the largest domestic producer of beer, churning out 450 bottles per minute in their state-of-the-art breweries.

Belikin brews a range of beers, including:

• Belikin Beer – a classic European-style lager with an alcohol content of 4.8%.
• Belikin Stout – a stout with a velvety, rich head and a delightful smoky taste. It's made with German hops, Canadian malt, and cane sugar from Belize.
• Lighthouse Lager – a refreshing, crisp Canadian Pilsner with a 4.2% alcohol content.
• Belikin Premium – a malty, hearty beer made with two different hops and three different malts.
• Guinness Stout – a licensed version of the classic stout, brewed by Belikin. It has a rich colour and assertive bitter overtones.

Belikin also makes a number of seasonal beers, including a Chocolate Stout and a Sorrel Stout made from locally-grown sorrel.

Other Belize Beers

In recent years, Belikin has faced some competition from other beers, including Kubuli from Dominica, Presidente, and a few craft beers. However, it can be hard to find these beers in bars and restaurants, and they tend to cost a lot more than Belikin.

Imported Beers

While most foreign beers are prohibited from entering Belize, a few Caribbean beers are allowed, including:

• Red Stripe – a Jamaican classic in an iconic rounded bottle.
• Heineken – a popular European beer, brewed in St Lucia.
• Carib – a refreshing lager brewed in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Dragon Stout – a slightly popular beer brewed in Jamaica.

The different types of beer brewed in Belize

Belize has a proud history of brewing delicious local lagers. The most famous brewer in Belize is Belikin Beer, a multi-generational family-owned business based in Ladyville, just outside Belize City. The name Belikin comes from a Mayan term for the Belize River, literally meaning "road to the east". Belikin is the largest domestic producer of beer, churning out 450 bottles per minute in their state-of-the-art breweries.

Belikin offers a range of beers, including:

• Belikin Beer: The flagship brew, a classic European-style lager with an alcohol content of 4.8%.
• Belikin Stout: A rich, smoky stout with a velvety head, made with German hops, Canadian malt, and local cane sugar. It has an alcohol content of 6.5%.
• Lighthouse Lager: A refreshing and crisp Canadian Pilsner with a 4.2% alcohol content.
• Belikin Premium: A malty, hearty beer made with two types of hops and three different malts, giving it a unique taste.
• Guinness Stout: Belikin is licensed to brew this classic stout, which has a rich colour and assertive bitter overtones. The Belize-brewed version has a stronger taste and higher alcohol content than its European counterpart.

In addition to these staples, Belikin also produces seasonal beers, including:

• Chocolate Stout: A creamy beer with a velvety chocolate finish, inspired by a traditional Mayan recipe.
• Sorrel Stout: A blend of German hops, specialty malts, and local sorrel, introduced a few years ago.
• Verano: A summer seasonal beer with a hint of orange peel and a spicy, tangy finish.

While Belikin dominates the market, a few other beers are available in Belize, including some imported from neighbouring Caribbean nations. These include Red Stripe from Jamaica, Heineken from St. Lucia, Carib from Trinidad and Tobago, and Dragon Stout from Jamaica.

In recent years, craft brewing has also emerged in Belize, with microbreweries like Island Time Brewing in San Pedro offering unique beers such as the Barefoot Blonde Ale.

Frequently asked questions