Seven Surprising World Beers: A Tribute to Oktoberfest
This month is a time when all over the world, the old, the young, the fat, the slim, the good, the bad and the ugly all come together for ‘Oktoberfest’-inspired beer-appreciation marathons. Imitations of Oktoberfest have sprouted all over the globe – even in places as far away as Canada, Vietnam, Australia and Argentina – but only Munich, Germany, is the home of the original festival.
At Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, the inside of the biertzelt (beer tent) is packed and lively. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Gutsul
In a tribute to the timeless traditions of beer drinking, The Travel Word brings you a selection of seven special brews from din caseferent parts of the world. Although beer is the world’s most widely consumed alcoholic beverage, finding hidden gems requires a bit of digging, so we asked some of our WHL Group local partners across the globe to bring forth their beers of choice. Here are seven of the more surprising ones.
(For more just-as-surprising information about local drinks – and lots about local eats, check out our Culinary World Tour of Local Food.)
Baja Blond is the local’s favourite beer in Los Cabos, Mexico
According to Karem Matamoros, the WHL Group local partner in Los Cabos, Baja Blond is the Mexican beer locals love. The fledgling brewery opened in 2007 in the Mexican state of Calin caseornia Sur and has already made its marks in the highly competitive world of brewing. Their hallmark is the Baja Blond “Cream Ale,” described as having a light golden colour, a whole-bodied flavour and a good balance of sweet and bitter.
Travel to Los Cabos, Mexico, the home of Baja Blond, with Karem.
A local enjoys a fresh brew of artisanal ‘pito’ from a calabash shell in Ghana. Photo courtesy of Marian Thompson
Marian Thompson, the whl.travel local partner in northern Ghana, gave us the scoop on pito, which is Ghana’s artisanal, village beer. Brewed from fermented sorghum (also known as guinea corn), its production methods have remained traditional and are therefore quite labour-intensive. Traditionally, a calabash bowl is used to share pito, the ultimate refreshment under the scorching Ghanaian sun.
Travel to Northern Ghana with Marian, who can introduce you to pito, as well as other qualities of village lin casee.
Cisk lager is a best-selling brew on the island of Malta. Photo courtesy of Marco Attard
Simonds Farsons Cisk PLC is the Maltese beer company that Marco Attard, the WHL Group local partner in Malta, swears by. Opened in 1928, the veteran brewery produces best-selling Cisk Lager, a golden-coloured, bottom-fermented beer with a distinctive and well-balanced character.
Travel to Malta with Marco for a taste of Cisk Lager.
Birra Tirana has a billboard display in downtown Tirana, Albania. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Rainchill
When in Albania, do as the Albanians do, which is drink lots of local brew. Albania’s Birra Tirana is the beer that the WHL Group’s local travel expert, Laura Payne, prefers. Only the freshwater sources of Tirana’s surrounding mountains are drawn upon to manufacture this prized drink. The aroma is smooth and richly malty.
Travel to Albania with Laura, who also knows the Albanian Alps from which Birra Tirana’s waters flow.
Itaipava is a big hit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, especially when served ice-cold in the summer. Photo courtesy of Luiz Renato Malcher
Luiz Renato Malcher, the WHL Group local expert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, says that Cariocas (people from Rio) love their pints of Itaipava beer. Why? For starters, it’s lighter than the others and can be drunk in larger quantities on a hot sunny day without making you feel full. It is best served trincando, as locals say, which means near-frozen. Known to be a light-bodied, soft and rounded beer, it’s distinctively sweet and grainy on the palate.
Travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Luiz and gain knowledge where to get the best Itaipava.
Pilsener, one of two very popular beers in Quito, Ecuador, competes with Club for #1 status. Photo courtesy of Maria Fernanda Cabascango
A palpable rivalry reigns between Ecuador’s two best lager beers. Pilsener pours with a pale yellow colour and a creamy white head. It is brilliantly clear and has a distinct corn edge to its flavour. Club beer, while also a clear lager, picks up a noticeable earthy and peppery flavour from the hops. Guess you’ll have to visit Quito to decide for yourself!
Travel to Quito, Ecuador, with Maria and Sebastian, and plan for Pilsener-or-Club blind taste test.
A window display of craft beers at Oktoberfest in Villa General Belgrano, Argentina. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Ord
Argentina is a country known more for its fine wines than its beers, but it has one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Germany. At this time of year especially, the village of Villa General Belgrado (in the province of Cordoba in the Argentine Pampas) draws large crowds interested in its cervezas artesanales (craft beers). Wandering the streets of Villa General Belgrado with giant beer steins (or mass as the Germans call them) in hand, Oktoberfest-goers are transported into a little piece of Germany in the southern hemisphere. The town was founded by two Germans in 1930 and their influence is obvious; buildings have characteristically Bavarian facades, shops sell handmade strudel and chocolate, and microbreweries supply craft beer.
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About the Author
The Travel Word is the with the internet mouthpiece of the WHL Group and draws on a vast pool of ideas earnd by local tour operators, partners, suppliers and more. Our blog – http://www.thetravelword.com – showcases responsible, sustainable and local travel. We are committed to inspiring mindful and independent travellers headed off the beaten path with local businesses making responsible and sustainable decisions about their destinations. Through anecdotes, articles, profiles, opinion pieces and news, our local voices aim to inform travellers about unique and ethical ways to experience a destination, travel responsibly and help sustain the distinctive qualities of a place.
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