OnTap Magazine

Another day another brew, this time with Que Mae Brewing Co., a small, expat-run brewpub in Santa Teresa. We brew an IPA on their 120-litre Blichmann system, reminding me of the system we at Afro Caribbean started out on. While the mash is doing its thing, I chat to owner Trey Derrick about the trials and tribulations of starting a brewery in Central America. He says taxes are high, complying with government requirements can be di cult and ingredients are a pain to get, but the market is there and people want to drink craft. e craft beer scene is still growing and as of 2016 there were already more than 85 breweries in Costa Rica. SIPPING AMONG SLOTHS As we move down the coast of the Guanacaste peninsula it seems there is a brewery in every town. I hung out with the brewer at Butter y Brewing in Montezuma and grabbed a few at La Selva in Cabuya. is brewery even exports to Canada. Now it’s time to go south and maybe nd a few more artisanal beer gems. e south is so green and the beer so plentiful. After an early start, a ferry ride and a long drive we arrive in Jacó. Not my favorite town and we didn’t stay long but I did pop into a bar boasting a gigantic Stone Brewing sign, not to drink American beers but in the hope they had some local o ering and they did. With 30 beers on tap and 100 in the bottle, it reminds me of somewhere back home... Further south amongst the sloths, macaws and toucans I found the most beautiful brewery of my travels. Tucked away in the town of Dominical, Fuego Brew Co. is a double-storey restaurant and brewery built from wood and bamboo. With lush gardens, an outdoor stage for live entertainment, great beers and amazing label designs, I would die for a brewery like this. BRINGING COSTA RICA HOME We were having too much fun and I almost forgot about my collab. e great thing about traveling for over a month is that you can actually try the beer you brewed in the country you brewed it in, rather than just asking the brewer how it turned out. So it’s back up the cost and back to Tamarindo – the town where we kicked o our trip. I love coming back to a place that you have been before while on vacation. I call up Oscar and it’s straight o to have a surf, although we take the boat across the river this time. He tells me that the beer is great and we will have it on tap tomorrow. e following evening we have a small launch and the beer turned out just as I expected. I won’t reveal too much but it will be on sale in can and on tap at Banana Jam Café by the time you read this. And if you like we’ll even pump up the heating to give you an authentic Costa Rican experience. I found the most beautiful brewery of my travels Beer makes people happy The world's most beautiful brewery - Fuego Brewing Co in Dominical A well-travelled copy of On Tap at Que Mae Brewing Co Contrary to popular belief, Greg actually works really hard Weird and wonderful taps By the time you read this, the South African version of the collab - Tropical Destination - will be available. Post a pic of yourself sampling the beer while reading your copy of On Tap and you might just receive a postcard from Greg's next adventure... WORLD OF BEER 34 | Spring 2019 | ontapmag.co.za