Well, cross one off the bucket list - last week I was fortunate enough to go to the Galápagos Islands. Quite an amazing place - wildlife, scenery, history - it’s something else. It’s really not like anything I’ve done before. Animals everywhere, pristine islands, snorkeling, beaches, all so memorable.
And of course how could I not keep an eye out for beer! The Galapagos does have a few towns (I didn’t really know this before researching the trip) and like everywhere they have craft breweries now. I was on a cruise boat trip, so my time in the towns was limited, but luckily the boat did have some of the local beer available which was great.
Obviously I didn’t go on this trip for beer, but it was great to try the local stuff. Generally I’d say it was all pretty decent. I can’t help but think that the lack of premium imports keeps styles a bit muted - i.e. an IPA isn’t really as IPA-y as it would be around here, but perhaps it’s also the local tastes driving the styles. But of course it was most welcome to be able to have access to local stuff instead of standard international lagers which is what I was expecting. And I’m sure it’s challenging to brew diverse styles someplace as isolated as the Galapagos. What I had I enjoyed and complemented the trip perfectly.
Santa Cruz - they have a taproom location in Puerto Ayora but I was there too early in the day to visit. Had their IPA and Blonde on tap on the boat.
Endemica - they’re in Puerto Bazquerio Moreno on San Cristobal, but also wasn’t able to visit. I did have their IPA and Blonde in the bottle on the boat.
Boobies - a brand from Galapagos Beer Company, but I’m not sure if they have a B&M location. I found their IPA and Porter at one of the turtle sanctuaries on Santa Cruz (Rancho El Manzanillo) but unfortunately they tasted infected.,
Latitud Cero - brewery from mainland Ecuador which I found a few of in Guayaquil, including a Dunkel, Wheat and IPA. On their website they list a bunch of other styles and locations so they seem to be one of the leading craft breweries in the country.
Bazquerio Moreno also has Galapagos Republic brewing, but I wasn’t able to visit nor find any of their beers.
The national Ecuadorian brands are Pilsener and Club, and I did enjoy Club which was nice and refreshing.
If you ever get the chance to go to the Galapagos I would highly recommend it. And there’s beer to enjoy while you’re hanging with the turtles, sea lions and iguanas!
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Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands
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Well I certainly wouldn't have expected craft beer on the Galapagos either. Sounds like an amazing trip, definitely on my bucket list along with Ecuador proper. Thanks for sharing!
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Cadbury102
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Wow Cass, that is an incredible experience. I've always wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands - it sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I am very happy for you. Thanks for sharing that there's even craft beer there - I never would have guessed.
Boobies! Tee Hee Hee.
Sorry, I have some growing up to do.
Sorry, I have some growing up to do.
Brands are for cattle.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
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El Pinguino
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I don't know how I missed this old post, but ya...there are some decent beers in the Galapagos.
Santa Cruz positions themselves as the first craft brewery in the islands, but there is some controversy there.
They existed first, but originally brewed in Guayaquil, Ecuador - not in the islands. When Endemica came along, they were really the first craft brewery to make commercial beers in the Galapagos.
At that time Santa Cruz wasn't a fan of having competition in the islands. Their owners and staff purposefully gave Endemica beers poor ratings wherever they were mentioned (such as Untappd), pretty much harassing and trolling Daniel the owner of Endemica who is a really nice guy. Endemica is very serious about sustainability and conserving water, etc in a fragile ecosystem. Their coffee stout is quite good, by Ecuador standards.
Pretty sure Santa Cruz now has brewing operations on their island, and things are more peaceful. They weren't the friendliest people when I visited their original bar in Puerto Ayora, so I am biased towards saying Endemica beers are better.
Not sure if Reptilia is brewing now, but they were also in the Galapagos. SABAI and Camino del Sol beers are also pretty easy to find in some hotels, shops and restaurants (brewed on the mainland like Latitud Cero).
In the end most people only stick to Pilsener and Club. I'm lucky to have spent more than a year in the Galapagos over various trips, so had time to seek out some good stuff.
Santa Cruz positions themselves as the first craft brewery in the islands, but there is some controversy there.
They existed first, but originally brewed in Guayaquil, Ecuador - not in the islands. When Endemica came along, they were really the first craft brewery to make commercial beers in the Galapagos.
At that time Santa Cruz wasn't a fan of having competition in the islands. Their owners and staff purposefully gave Endemica beers poor ratings wherever they were mentioned (such as Untappd), pretty much harassing and trolling Daniel the owner of Endemica who is a really nice guy. Endemica is very serious about sustainability and conserving water, etc in a fragile ecosystem. Their coffee stout is quite good, by Ecuador standards.
Pretty sure Santa Cruz now has brewing operations on their island, and things are more peaceful. They weren't the friendliest people when I visited their original bar in Puerto Ayora, so I am biased towards saying Endemica beers are better.
Not sure if Reptilia is brewing now, but they were also in the Galapagos. SABAI and Camino del Sol beers are also pretty easy to find in some hotels, shops and restaurants (brewed on the mainland like Latitud Cero).
In the end most people only stick to Pilsener and Club. I'm lucky to have spent more than a year in the Galapagos over various trips, so had time to seek out some good stuff.
Even though I read this when posted, I never responded to say thanks for this info - fascinating and I had no idea about any of this while down there. I never got a chance to visit any of the actual breweries, just had their beers on the ship and here and there. Santa Cruz was closed when the ship docked there as it was in the morning. Anyway, thanks again!El Pinguino wrote: ↑Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:27 pm At that time Santa Cruz wasn't a fan of having competition in the islands. Their owners and staff purposefully gave Endemica beers poor ratings wherever they were mentioned (such as Untappd), pretty much harassing and trolling Daniel the owner of Endemica who is a really nice guy. Endemica is very serious about sustainability and conserving water, etc in a fragile ecosystem. Their coffee stout is quite good, by Ecuador standards.
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El Pinguino
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Galapagos update: The owner of Endemica is looking to sell their brewery, as they plan to move back to Spain, if anyone wants to live on a remote island on the Equator and live the good life.
May have to marry a local to make it legal, lol.
May have to marry a local to make it legal, lol.