Coming from the beer rich nation of Australia into a big wide world of brews, what does a nomadic Aussie traveller make of the first pallet-cleansing experience of his inter-continental global journey?

A ‘mixed’ reaction  to the overall experience, with the craft beer scene in Peru bottling up some interesting, and promising flavours, giving me hope that there will plenty of interesting, and different beer experiences to be had along the way.

So, when it comes to beer, where do I begin in a nation known as the culinary capital of Latin America? And does this countries dynamism when it comes to the dinner plate translate to the beer glass too? The jury is still very much out on this — as Peru is the first country I’m visiting on my transcontinental culinary journey, so we’ll have to wait and see how Colombian, Chilean, Mexican and how other beers stand up against one another on the Latin American beer wall. 

So, since this is one of my firsts posts here on Bonkers 4 Beer — why don’t I answer the most obvious question of all — how do I like my beer? Well, for starters people who know me well know that I like to enjoy a more hoppier IPA — so a brew full of flavour, and a brew that’s not too overly fruity, but a beer that is very much fragrant after the first pour, and this is what I typically look for in a ‘good’ brew.

My second preference is probably a more full bodied, more darker ale such as a Guinness — where the flavour is distinct and dark, and the consistency is frothy and smooth when it comes to the head, and then smooth and silky right through to the body. A head that keeps itself consistent throughout the drink, leaving a level of frothiness at the bottom of the glass after said beer has been consumed — and this is what I consider to be a quality beer, and this is my second preference when it comes to ‘good’ ole fashioned beer.

The more hoppier IPA’s are my regular ‘go-to’ beer, whereas the darker ales are more for a weekend, or the rare Friday night at the pub with mates where you’re essentially looking for a meal in a pint glass, knowing full well that because you haven’t eaten dinner (and can’t be bothered eating dinner), that you’ll eventually succumb to the late-night greasy snack instead (sometimes formally known as the ‘Mac-Attack’, but also known, in some civilised circles as a ‘caravan kebab’, or ‘freaky fried chicken’) on the way home, and that you’ll eat this greasy, yet utterly delicious snack either as you’re watching Rage (once you’ve arrived home), or as you’re climbing into bed to watch SBS… (and hopefully you don’t wake up the next day with said kebab, or greasy snack on you, or (anything else freaky) in your bed — hopefully!)

So, where was I? Oh, that’s right — in Peru! So, getting back on to the topic at hand — what exactly is a ‘good brew in Peru’? The industry from what I can gather is a very niche, little younger, almost newer market. While Australia has a flourishing craft beer market with heaps of players, boutique brewers, and small artisan businesses all vying for the top spot on the annual Aussie craft beer Hottest 100 list, the market in Peru seems a bit smaller, and is largely concentrated in the hands of a few players, which makes for reviewing the beers relatively easy and straightforward, but doesn’t offer variety when it comes to flavours, and finding (for example) a hidden gem of a brew among a thriving market.

The Barbarian 174 IPA (green label) is a clear head, with a clear golden body, the fragrance is sweet, caramely, malty, with a moderate citrus — almost hoppy flavour. Consistency is rather dry, which translates well with its bitter character, and the flavour overall and its aftertaste is somewhat sweet, yet bitter.

The Costumbres Red X IPA is quite a hoppy beer from the get-go. It’s bursting with strong red colour, and has a malty caramel fragrance, with hints of ginger flavour.

This interesting bad boy, a Kraken, Dark Ale has a lot of quintessential dark characteristics going for it. And when it comes to the pallet it has a citrusy pine and hop flavour, with fruits and dark berries. Its character is defined as malty-caramel.

This beer, the Magdalena IRA is an American amber ale, with a slightly reddish colour, and this was a very easy beer to drink, and it went down well with the meal I was having at the time — Lomo Saltado (one of Peru’s most famous, and staple dishes). Magdalena del mar is one of the many (43 to be precise!) districts in Lima (the main capital city in Peru), with Miraflores, and Barranco being the most famous other areas (literally right next door).

And…. Speaking of Barranco, why don’t I introduce you to a glimpse of my review of the Wicks Brew Pub? This bartender (fresh off the plane from Manchester) pulled me a beer at this ‘British Brew Pub’.

The Madchester Golden Ale was deliciously clean and crisp, yet malty in flavour, with a head that was frothy and consistent throughout the consumption. It sort of reminded me of beer from the UK, although it had a unique flavour (which is good!) as I want to drink beer that’s different as much as possible, and craft beer should be different…

So what’s the official verdict on beer in Barranco, and in Lima, and Peru in general? Well, there really is good craft beer to be enjoyed right across this Latin American country, even if the industry and craft beer bar scene overall seems fairly young at present.

The craft beers I enjoyed showed a lot of promise, and were packing some good flavours. But, like anything I judge I look for the story behind whatever beer I’m being served, and sometimes you get that from the bottle, or the can, and sometimes you don’t. If I want to enjoy a craft beer I want to be able to find out about the full story of how a particular beer came about. I could easily look up how say a Guinness was first invented, and this is what I look for (apart from a unique, and great tasting beer) — I guess it’s that point of difference that makes a beer distinctly unique (both fragrance, flavour, and story-wise), and it’s what makes a ‘good’ beer a standout.

So, go and visit Lima, and Peru too — and don’t just go to Peru for a brew! Go for the food, and the culture as well, and enjoy the best that Peru has to offer. I’d love to tell you about their most famous drink — a Pisco Sour (but this article, and publication is all about beer!) but you can go and read up on my thoughts on the famous, and much loved Pisco Sour over at A Cocktail Club instead, and find out all about what is their truly favourite go-to drink.