Beer in Argentina: history, traditions and breweries
In the land of wine and asado, beer has a long history – and Patagonia has one of the biggest craft beer scenes in South America.
History
In the 19th century immigrants from Germany, Switzerland and Alsace brought brewing to Argentina. The Alsatian Emilio Bieckert first opened an ice factory in Buenos Aires and then sold bock and pilsner.
In 1888 the German immigrant Otto Bemberg founded a brewery in Quilmes near Buenos Aires. Quilmes became Argentina’s national beer, with the colours of the flag on its label.
In the 20th century a few large breweries dominated the market. In 2002 the Brazilian group AmBev bought into Quilmes; today the brand belongs to AB InBev.
Since the late 1980s a craft beer scene has grown up in Patagonia, especially in Bariloche and El Bolsón, building on the brewing tradition of Swiss and German settlers. Today Argentina has thousands of small breweries.
Traditions and drinking culture
Beer is called “birra” in everyday speech. People often share a litre bottle at the table, and beer increasingly joins wine at the asado. The toast is “¡Salud!”.
Every October since 1963, Villa General Belgrano in Córdoba province has celebrated the National Beer Festival, Argentina’s Oktoberfest.
Fun facts
- Quilmes labels show light blue and white – the colours of the Argentine flag.
- Argentina’s hops grow in Patagonia, most of them around El Bolsón.
- The village of Villa General Belgrano was shaped by German, Swiss and Austrian immigrants; visitors travel from all over the country to its beer festival every year.
- Every year El Bolsón celebrates the National Hop Festival, the “Fiesta Nacional del Lúpulo”.
Typical beer styles
- Lager
- Bock
- Patagonian pale ale and IPA
- Craft beer of all styles
Beer cities and their stories
Quilmes
Otto Bemberg founded the Quilmes brewery in this city south of Buenos Aires in 1888.
Buenos Aires
The Alsatian Emilio Bieckert brewed bock and pilsner in the capital in the 19th century. Today there are countless craft beer bars here.
Bariloche
This city at the foot of the Andes is considered the capital of Argentine craft beer. The Blest brewery has brewed here since 1989.
El Bolsón
Most of Argentina’s hops grow around this small town in Patagonia; the National Hop Festival is held here every year.
Villa General Belgrano
This village with an Alpine look in Córdoba province has celebrated Argentina’s Oktoberfest since 1963.
Breweries and their stories
Quilmes
Founded by Otto Bemberg. Today it belongs to AB InBev and is Argentina’s best-known beer brand.
Known for: Quilmes Cristal
Bieckert
The Alsatian Emilio Bieckert (1837–1913) was one of the first to sell bock and pilsner in Argentina.
Blest
One of the first craft breweries in Argentina.
Timeline
- 19th c.Buenos Aires
The Alsatian Emilio Bieckert opens an ice factory in Buenos Aires and then sells bock and pilsner.
- 1888Quilmes
Otto Bemberg founds the Quilmes brewery, later Argentina’s national beer.
- 1963Villa General Belgrano
The National Beer Festival is celebrated for the first time in Villa General Belgrano.
- 1989Bariloche
Blest starts brewing in Bariloche – one of the beginnings of Argentine craft beer.
- 2002Quilmes
The Brazilian group AmBev buys into Quilmes; today the brand belongs to AB InBev.
- 2010sEl Bolsón
Thousands of small breweries open; their hops come from Patagonia, above all from El Bolsón.