Founded in 1853
Brazil, land of football by excellency and home of the biggest carnival on earth, party and nightlife. Starting this year and for the next three, this country will be target for all travelers and ambitions of professional and amateur sports lovers. It is owner of a rich history in beer production, making us inevitably turn our heads to the South Cone and enjoy a great verity of flavors and textures in this drink which is becoming one of the carioca favorites, taking in consideration that one of the most ancient breweries in the American continent is, precisely, in Brazil.
Bohemia was founded in 1853 by Henry Kremer of German ascendance who established in Rio de Janeiro to realize the creation of Bohemia beer in 1859, when it was hand produced in small quantities until the death of its creator in 1865. This changed its original name to Augusto Kremer& Co.
After a bad administration by the Kremer hearse, and currently under the name of Imperial Cervecera Nacional (Imperial National Brewery), breaking a production record of 1 million bottles in a year, ever since then, consumption of this product in Brazil has grown Today, four brands of beer are under its name, Bohemia produces a Pilsner with fruitful aroma and soft flavor which is enjoyed with the oriental cuisine boom Brazil is experimenting. They also produce Hermandad, an Abby style beer, ideal to be accompanied with fish and cheese due to its bitter and citric flavor it is a great option with these dishes. For stronger pallets, they have created Oscura, a beer of the Schwarzbier that for its toasted tones and toffee is to have with desserts. Making homage to German beer, Bohemia Weiss was created, with a spice and fruitful aroma it makes a perfect combination with fish, or even a hot afternoon of which there are so many in Brazil.
Not everything is Bohemia in Brazil. Brands like Brahma, Caracu, Kaiser, Kronenbier, Schin, Skol and Liber have positioned significantly in the carioca beer market to offer all types of range in the public consumption. From Brahma, which is a typical beer that may be acquired in every store and enjoyed on the streets of Sao Paulo and Brasilia, to the most artisanal and specialized beers: Dado BierIlex, a beer produced with yerba mate. The result is a balanced and subtle beer which maintains its characteristic bitterness but magnifies the notes of aroma and flavor of the yerba mate. Needless to say, the use of this ingredient gifts the beer with a green tonality, making it unique.
You can also find specialized stores in the main Brazilian cities the brand Bebidas Coruja, created by architects Micael Eckert and Rafael Rodrigues, who impulse their common ambition toward the creation of Extra Viva, who many coincide, is the best artisanal beer in Brazil. A lager with great body and strong flavor, courtesy of their malt combination: Pilsen and Vienna.
Impulsed in its majority by artisanal beer production of Argentina and Chile, in Brazil the consumption of this product is growing in an important manner for some years now, as shown by the study made in the Commercial Offices of ProChile in this country, more than 20 different beer brands are ready to be consumed by the carioca.
Football and samba isn’t the only thing that feeds Brazilian. Or, maybe yes. But for any meal it is important to have a beverage that accompanies the party. In Brazil, more than wine or distill liquors, beer has occupied a characteristic spot amongst the predilected flavors of the people. At the end of the day, no carnival or samba routine can resist the freshness of a great beer of artisanal elaboration, be the case in an endless night on the streets of Rio or in the beautiful beaches of Florianópolis.
Texto: Carlos Dragonné ± Foto: WALLSAVE / MLA