Belize's Beer Ref: Where To Find It

Belize has a proud history of brewing delicious local lagers, and Belikin is the most famous beer in the country. The Belize Brewing Company, owned by the Bowen family, was established in 1969 and began brewing Belikin Beer and Belikin Stout in 1971. The brewery is based in Ladyville, just outside Belize City, and the beer is brewed for Belizeans, by Belizeans, and only available in Belize. The name Belikin comes from the Maya language and means Route to the East, which is also thought to be the origin of the name Belize. The beer is brewed in a state-of-the-art facility, producing 450 bottles per minute.

Belikin Beer – the flagship brew, a classic European-style lager with 4.8% alcohol content

Belikin Beer is the leading domestically produced beer in Belize. It is brewed by the Belize Brewing Company, which was established in 1969 and began brewing Belikin Beer in 1971. The company is owned by the Bowen family, and its tagline is "The Beer of Belize". The name "Belikin" comes from the Mayan language and means "Route to the East", which some believe to be the origin of the name "Belize". The beer's label features a drawing of a Pre-Columbian Maya temple-pyramid at Altun Ha.

Belikin Beer is brewed in the classic continental European lager style. It uses Canadian Pilsner malt in combination with a blend of German hops to create a perfect malt-hop balance. The original recipe calls for a lengthy fermentation and lagering process, allowing the yeast to create its full conditioning. This full-bodied beer has a medium golden colour and is refreshing and easy to drink, making it a delightful choice any time of the day.

Belikin Beer has a dedicated following, with fans seeking out venues in Belize that serve this exclusive brew. The company even offers a Belikin Passport Program, encouraging beer lovers to collect stamps and redeem prizes while travelling throughout the country and enjoying their beer.

The beer has received mixed reviews, with some praising its crispness, light flavour, and easy drinkability, especially on hot days in the tropics. Others have described it as basic or watery, with a mild aroma and little taste. However, it is generally considered a solid lager and a good choice for those looking for a refreshing beer in Belize.

Overall, Belikin Beer is a classic European-style lager with a 4.8% alcohol content. It is a flagship brew for the Belize Brewing Company and a source of pride for Belizeans, embodying the country's spirit and culture in every bottle.

Belikin Stout – a stout with a velvety, rich head, made with German hops, Canadian malt, and cane sugar from Belize

Belikin Stout is a rich, black stout with a creamy, velvety, and rich head. It has a bold, almost smoky mouthfeel, balanced with a modest but pleasant bitterness. This stout is made from German hops, Canadian malt, Belizean cane sugar, caramel colouring, and German hops. It has an alcohol content of 6.5%.

Belikin Stout is produced by the Belize Brewing Company, which was founded in 1969 by Sir Barry Bowen. Based in Ladyville, just outside Belize City, the company is now run by Barry's son, Michael Bowen, and is the largest domestic producer of beer in Belize, brewing 450 bottles per minute. The name Belikin comes from a Maya term for the Belize River, literally meaning "road to the east". The company's distinctive logo features the ancient Maya site of Altun Ha.

Belikin offers a range of beers, including their flagship Belikin Beer, a classic European-style lager with 4.8% alcohol content. They also produce Lighthouse Lager, a refreshing, crisp Canadian Pilsner with 4.2% alcohol content, and Belikin Premium, a malty, hearty beer made with two different hops and three different malts. In addition, Belikin Brewing Company is a licensed brewer of Guinness Stout, producing this classic stout with a rich colour and assertive bitter overtones.

Belize Brewing Company also offers seasonal brews, such as the Chocolate Stout, inspired by a traditional Maya recipe, and the Sorrel Stout, which features a blend of German hops, specialty malts, and local sorrel.

Lighthouse Lager – a refreshing, crisp Canadian Pilsner with a 4.2% alcohol content

Belize is home to a variety of beers, with Belikin being the leading domestically produced beer brand in the country. The Belize Brewing Company, based in Ladyville, Belize District, was established in 1969 and began brewing Belikin Beer in 1971.

One of the beers in their portfolio is Lighthouse Lager, a refreshing, crisp Canadian Pilsner with a 4.2% alcohol content. It has a soft golden colour and a floral aroma, achieved by using the finest Canadian Pilsner malt and a carefully chosen blend of German hops. The delicate nature of this beer is preserved by selecting only the freshest yeast. Lighthouse Lager is slightly drier than other beers in the Belikin range, with a subtle noble hop aroma and flavour. Its light and refreshing qualities make it an enjoyable choice at any time of day.

Lighthouse Lager is a part of the Belikin family of beers, which includes Belikin Beer, Belikin Stout, Belikin Premium, and Guinness Stout. In addition to these, Belikin also produces seasonal brews such as the Chocolate Stout and Sorrel Stout.

Belize has a proud history of brewing delicious local lagers, and Belikin, with its distinctive logo featuring the ancient Maya site of Altun Ha, is a well-known brewer in the country. The name "Belikin" itself comes from the Maya language, meaning "Route to the East", which some believe is the origin of the name "Belize".

Belikin Premium – a malty, hearty beer made with two different hops and three different malts

Belikin Beer is the most famous brewer in Belize and has been a multi-generational family-owned business based in Ladyville, just outside Belize City, since 1969. The name Belikin comes from the Maya language and means "Route to the East", which is also thought to be the origin of the name "Belize". The Belikin label features a drawing of a Pre-Columbian Maya temple-pyramid at Altun Ha.

Belikin Premium is one of the beers offered by Belikin. It is a malty, hearty beer made with two different hops and three different malts. The three malts used are Canadian Malt, Caramel Malt, and Extra Special Malt, while the two hops are CO2 Magnum Hops and Perle Hops. This combination gives the beer a fuller, heartier sensation on the first sip. This darker-coloured beer has a deeper, richer taste with a malty body, making it a great choice for ale lovers.

Belikin Premium has an alcohol content of 4.8%, the same as the brand's flagship brew, Belikin Beer, a classic European-style lager. Other beers in the Belikin range include Belikin Stout, Lighthouse Lager, and Guinness Stout, as well as seasonal brews such as Chocolate Stout and Sorrel Stout.

The Belize Brewing Company, which produces Belikin Beer, was established in 1969 and began brewing Belikin Beer and Belikin Stout in 1971. The brewery is based in Ladyville, Belize District, and is owned by the Bowen family. The company's tagline is "The Beer of Belize", reflecting its status as the leading domestically produced beer brand in the country.

Guinness Stout – a classic stout featuring a rich colour and assertive bitter overtones

Belize is home to a variety of beers, both locally brewed and imported. Belikin Beer, produced by the Belize Brewing Company, is the leading domestically produced beer brand in the country. The company was established in 1969 and began brewing Belikin Beer and Belikin Stout in 1971. Belikin offers a range of beers, including their flagship lager, as well as Lighthouse Lager, Belikin Premium, and their own version of Guinness Stout.

Guinness Stout, a classic stout featuring a rich colour and assertive bitter overtones, is a well-known and beloved beer worldwide. It has a distinct appearance, with a ruby red colour hidden beneath a creamy, frothy, or rich head. The flavour profile is a delicate balance of bitter and sweet, with subtle fruity notes and hints of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. The bitterness is often described as assertive, providing a sharp and crisp taste. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, contributing to its drinkability.

Guinness has a long history, with the Extra Stout recipe dating back to 1821 when Arthur Guinness II created detailed instructions for brewing his Superior Porter. Over the years, Guinness has become an iconic brand, with the Extra Stout being a beloved icon in West Indian, West African, and Caribbean communities. It has a rich history and robust flavours to match, making it a popular choice for celebrations.

Belikin, as a licensed brewer, brings the classic Guinness Stout to Belize, offering beer lovers in the country a taste of this well-known stout. The availability of Guinness Stout in Belize adds to the diverse range of beers that the country has to offer, showcasing both local specialities and international favourites.

Whether enjoyed ice-cold in a pint glass or used as a secret ingredient in culinary creations, Guinness Stout is a versatile beverage that has gained a dedicated following around the world, including in the beautiful country of Belize.

Frequently asked questions