It should be no surprise that along with lots of ruins, whitewater and trekking, our tour of the America’s also included beer. Lots and lots of beer. From Mexico to Argentina beer seems to be the local beverage of choice, and almost always its cheaper than soda or sometimes even bottled water. It was not unusual for us to find a liter of beer for less than $3. When it’s that cheap you just have to try it. So we did.
On what is now called our quest for beervana (thanks to our friends for the name), we’ve sampled the local brew in every locale, from ice-cold Salva Vida in Honduras to an amber Beagle down in Ushuaia. There have been some good beers, some beers good for the moment, and even one green coca beer in Peru. Most beers produced in the America’s are lagers or pilsners and it seems the hotter the country the colder the beer. The coldest beer we’ve seen was in Honduras and fortunately at the time we were sweating to death. According to the 
thermometer on the refrigerator the beer was stored at -9 Celsius (about 15 Fahrenheit). It was perhaps the most refreshing and delicious pilsner in the world, or at least at that moment.
Our quest for beervana has turned into challenge to create a substantial beer label collection. We’ve taken the labels off all sorts of bottles, many of which have been mangled in the process. Just for the record the sticker labels are the hardest to take off. Our quest to build a collection has resulted in choosing our selections by the label not the actual beer, which in some cases has led to mistakes such as the coca beer. It has also led us to some delicious Colombian micro-brews and copious amounts of Brazilian chopp (draught beer), err… maybe not the chopp. That might be our own fault.
Our quest for beervana continues while we’re on “intermission” at home. This week we headed to the Y
uengling (my home brew) in Pennsylvania for a factory tour and tasting. Danny and I have been trying to get there for years, but for one reason or another it never worked out. Fortunately the quest for beervana took precedence this time and we finally made it. It was by far the best factory tour ever and not only because it ended in a beer tasting, actually truthfully it was because it ended in beer tastings, two in fact.
Anyway, as we head to Africa have no fear, the quest for beervana will continue. Fortunately we’ve spent enough evenings at Brickskeller to know which African beers to avoid, but we’re always open to suggestions. Anything out there you think we should try or avoid? Where do you want to share a beer with us?
Salud!
Loving the Yeungling shout out!@ lol That is hands down my favorite ‘every day’ beer. I gotta get my hands on some of that Coca beer. Sounds good. I loved the Dogfish Head coffee brews. I wonder if it’s similar. Can’t wait to read about African brew! Have fun.
Blakesjourney / tBD
Yes, Jillian, now you’ve won my heart by mentioning Yuengling – I was also weaned on that nectar. I didn’t know you were a Pennsylvanian – my brothers and I grew up in Allentown and Kutztown.
Hi Danny & Jillian,
Have you been to Kruger Natl. Park? That’s where you’ll see lots of animals but I think it’s necessary to go thru with a group in a jeep.
Also further south is Chobe Natl Park also inhabited with lots of wildlife.
Love, Grandma Alma