Dear five percent instead of 40: Beer wins on Cuba in popularity. Brewpubs are the new state-imposed trend, where else Rum is drunk. In Havana, a modern microbrewery has opened – yet the beer is made​​.

Blonde, brown or black. Jose Martinez has a choice. Without hesitation, he picks up the glass with the black content. “Otherwise I might get in trouble with my wife,” he says and grins. Martinez’s wife is from the Oriente, the East of Cuba, stronghold of black Afro-Cuban culture. The brewer remains of his wife and his favorite beer faithful.

Whether blond, brown or black, also in Cuba beer drinking is a matter of taste. And the money. For decent can buy, who has CUC, so the convertible peso in his pocket only.

About for fresh beer in the new brewery of Havana, the Cervecería Antiguo Almacen de la Madera y el Tabaco. Three years was the huge, dilapidated buildings restored by the harbor and opened in the spring as Cervecería – as a second brewpub in the Cuban capital.

Micro breweries in the Caribbean: Beer applies to Cubans as smart

Three CUC costs a small glass of beer with 0.3 liters, the equivalent of currently around 2.25 euros. Not enough for the average Cuban. Yet sitting in the new Cervecería the harbor next to tourists and locals, which can be tasted the national drink of the Germans. Many combine a visit to the Art Market Hall Almacenes San José next door or the magnificent Teatro Martí, which has reopened after renovation in the spring of almost 30 years, with a stint in the Cervecería.

Contrary to popular stereotypes prefer by far not all Cuban Rum Although he is the national drink -., But beer is considered to be chic, as a sign of a certain prosperity. “Beer makes not so tired,” said a guest named Luis, “and it’s much more refreshing on a hot day.”

The Renner Brauhaus is the so-called tower, an ice-cooled table dispenser. And a status symbol for the Cuban beer drinkers. With two pals Luis sitting around a three-liter bucket export. Thirsty they tilt the brown beer down in the midday heat. Ceiling fans provide some cooling. From the harbor constantly blowing the sea breeze through the gaping wide open warehouse doors.

The modern Cervecería exudes a flair between Rockpalast and Art Museum: steel beams, lots of glass, dark lacquered interior. 400 seats there. Two open grill stations make on event catering, corn on the cob and chicken legs sizzling over the glowing charcoal. Specialty is marinated with beer pork chop.

Micro breweries in the Caribbean:It does everything to quench the thirst of tourists

Much more pleasant are the temperatures behind the almost 40 meter long bar, where waiters constantly tap beer. There, amongst the cool steel tanks, José Martinez stands. With his colleagues, the 56-year-old master brewer produces up to 2000 liters of beer per day. Previously, Martinez food inspector, specializing in water quality. A related industry: “90 percent of the beer taste is influenced by the water,” says Martinez. Now he is needed in the brewing industry.

The Ministry of Tourism of the Socialist government played a crucial role. Cuba’s economy depends on tourism. From Canada, most guests arrive, followed by Germany and the UK. Visitors from these countries want good beer, so the simple calculation. So you do everything to quench the thirst. Cuba makes a barrel.

In the near future breweries in Varadero, Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad will be added. In this order, so the government’s plan. In Trinidad also the hotel capacity will be greatly increased. The beautiful old town with its magnificent buildings from the colonial times is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but stands in the shadow of Havana. After all, Trinidad has most recently, a curiosity: a stocked with international brands of beer house, the Casa de la Cerveza, housed in a theater ruins.

The water on the island must indeed suitable for brewing beer, because Cuban beer is considered quite passable. Even the bottled and canned beer of state breweries tastes tourists. The quality of these beers stand has a reason: the biggest beer brewing systems have been installed in the eighties, with know-how from East Germany, the former socialist brother country.

Micro breweries in the Caribbean:Sense of crisis in Cuba

But the Cervecería Bucanero brewery produces around 1.5 million hectoliters of beer annually. This is more than 200 times as much is drunk as a year at the Oktoberfest. Remarkable for the eleven million inhabitants Island. Where tourists statistics certainly drive up, especially in the all-inclusive clubs in Varadero or Cayo Coco.

“Cuba has a great beer tradition,” says Rubén D. Maceo, “we do not just salsa, cigars and rum.” Maceo is brewmaster in the very first brewpub Cuba, the Factoria Taberna de La Muralla, also known as Factoria Plaza Vieja. Because it lies at the selfsame place, one of the most beautiful places in Old Havana. There, since 2003 beer is brewed.

Currently, there is in Cuba but crisis mood. Because so much beer was drunk in the past few months, it is now scarce. And the Cuban in one of the hottest summer since 1951 media report that the beer bottleneck is due to delayed imports of malting barley in the first months of the year. The breweries produce less so now. In addition Hoarding beer lovers be held responsible.

Supermarkets, gas stations – no beer far and wide! Instead, Cubans have to buy their beer in small private restaurants. But here they pay 15 percent above the normal price. Only the rum will enjoy the beer bottleneck. Because Cuba Libre should now experiencing a revival.

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