10 Craft Beers You Have To Try in São Paulo, Brazil
1. Mula IPA – Cervejaria Nacional
Named after a Brazilian folk tale about a mule with no head, this over-hopped IPA has a kick at 7.5%. The pungent citrus odor with a bitter aftertaste combines well with bolinhos de bacalhau (cod fritters).
2. La Sorciere Belgian IPA – Cervejaria Urbana
From craft brewery (or laboratory of beers as they call themselves) Urbana, this Belgian style ale has sharp maple and raisin aromas. A well-balanced brew, perhaps a little weak for an IPA but a fine effort from these upcoming beer scientists.
3. Júpiter American Pale Ale – Cervejaria Júpiter
The light citrus flavor – with a touch of passion fruit at the tailend – means this is a perfect beer for a hot and dry day in São Paulo. A hand and lighting rod also creates an ace beer label.
4. Cosmonauta – Cervejaria Burgman
You’ll have to make the 100km trip from the capital of São Paulo to Sorocaba to sample this beer fresh from the tap (but at least it’s not as far as the moon). A solid brown ale with hints of chestnuts and caramel with a bitter backend marks this beer as perfect for a good session.
5. Weiss Premium – Cervejaria Madalena
A brewery paying homage to the bohemian neighborhood of São Paulo, Vila Madalena, with a Weiss reminds me of a winter day in the biergartens of Brazil’s German-influenced Serra Gaúcha.
6. 108 Imperial Stout – Cervejaria Invicta
As strong as wine at 10.8% and as thick as treacle, this beer is bursting with flavor and aromas – notably caramel and dark chocolate. Hits you like an anvil.
7. Indica IPA – Cervejaria Colorado
Not sure if Colorado is a craft beer anymore as mega-brewing conglomerate, Ambev, bought it this year, but I have enormous nostalgia, as this was the first Brazilian beer I tried. Made with rapadura (a very sweet Brazilian candy), Indica does not have a vibrant hoppy quality you’d expect from an IPA but a smoked out nutty flavor, reminiscent of an English brown ale. Goes down well on a warm tropical day.
8. Pilsen Premium – Cervejaria Karavelle
As a smooth as the owner of Karavelle, Brazilian singer/songwriter Seu Jorge, this beer combines with anything cooked at a churrasco (the word for BBQ in Portuguese).
9. IPA – Dama Bier
A well-made IPA with nose of orange rinds and caramel. Try saying, Piracicamirim, Piracicaba, the name of the neighborhood and region this beer is brewed at after a few of these.
10. Chopp 250 – Les 3 Brasseurs
One of those fruity beers that quenches the thirst after a long day at the office. It’s also worth sampling some of the food at this French inspired micro brewery.
Yksillä. Yhdellä isolla kannulla. #whatever #bissee #🍺 #les3brasseurs #montreal