Table of contents
It is a known fact that beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage around the globe. In Costa Rica, the first craft brewery opened in 1997, however, it didn’t last long. The Costa Rican market back then was not as open or evolving as fast as in other parts of the world, so breweries in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and the rest of the country were nonexistent.
Nowadays, the story is very different. Costa Ricans have finally embraced and actually enjoy the craft beer boom. Both locals and foreign investors have come up with a good variety of options, and have unleashed their creativity to widen this continuously evolving craft beer market with native and imported ingredients.
Best craft breweries in Guanacaste
Guanacaste is one of the most popular areas when it comes to amazing ecotourism in Costa Rica, not only for its countless options to enjoy many outstanding beaches, natural parks, adventure and great food, but also for delicious craft beers. Some of the breweries we recommended when visiting Guanacaste are:
#1
Blue Zone Brewery
Blue Zone Brewery is strategically located in the Pacific Coast paradise, in a town called Nosara in the Guanacaste Nicoya Peninsula. Its name is no coincidence as National Geographic has listed the Nicoya Peninsula as one of the Blue Zones in the world where people usually live for more than 100 years. Drinking this carefully crafted beer with high-quality local ingredients surrounded by such a magical place will provide an unforgettable experience. With more than 12 original flavors and a delicious menu to accompany their unique beer, Blue Zone Brewery won’t disappoint you. It’s one of the best breweries in Guanacaste!
#2
Maderos Brewery
Located in Liberia, Maderos Brewery is a craft beer bar known by travelers from other parts of the country as a mandatory stop when craving cold beer. What visitors love about this place is the rustic look, the unmatched craft quality of their beer, the delicious taste of their food, and the incredible attention and service that make you feel at home.
#3
Potrero Brewing Company
As the name implies, Potrero Brewing company can be found in the small but beautiful town of Potrero. This establishment has a wide diversity of good beer from clean and crisp lagers to dark porters and stouts to big American-style IPAs. Their tap wall usually has 10-12 beers on tap as well as many others in cans. They also offer non-alcohol options for those that don’t drink beer, or wines and cocktails if that is what you are in the mood for.
Potrero Brewing Company has live music at least twice a week during high season (November to April), and their beer garden hosts several local restaurants serving delicious and varied food alongside their brews.
Subscribe to our newsletter
to stay up to date
#4
2 Gringos Artisan Brewing
Opened in 2018, 2 Gringos Artisan Brewery located in Samara, Guanacaste offers its craft breweries mainly at Coco’s Restaurant located next to the brewery. Even when this business is owned by Americans, they have managed to marry local and imported ingredients to make their beer unique. Using pale ale imported from Belgium as one of their key ingredients, they have come up with interesting flavors such as Tropicalia (mango/passion fruit ale made with local passion fruit), Chocolate oatmeal cream stout, and many more options. From light lagers to stronger but tasty drinks, all the craft beer they have to offer will satisfy the most demanding palate.
#5
The Brewhouse by Papagayo Brewing Co.
The Brewhouse by Papagayo Brewing Co. is a beachside/restaurant located in Plaza Mercado, Las Catalinas, at Playa Danta. This place is open not only to enjoy their astonishing craft beer but also to book tours and know more about how they create their brews.
Beach lager, tropical IPA, offshore ale, and passion fruit ale are the starcraft beers you will find in this laid-back, friendly place.
#6
Volcano Brewing Company
Situated in Witch’s Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo, Volcano Brewing Company has been perfecting the art of craft beer since 2011. Their local brews can be enjoyed either at their tap room or at their two restaurants called El Vaquero and Eat at Joe’s, all located in the same area right in front of the beach. You can watch the sunset, and eat delicious food while figuring out which of all their flavorful craft beer is your favorite.
#7
Brothers of Ale Brewing
Huacas is a town located northwest of Santa Cruz in Guanacaste, and that is exactly where you can find BOA (Brothers of Ale). This great craft brewery offers its visitors not only savory and very well-elaborated craft beers to drink, but tasty dishes and a lovely outdoor space to have a blast with friends while enjoying live music. They recycle their waste while partnering with local farmers, making sure their practices are environmentally friendly. The key factors BOA combines to make their beers so unique are: modern equipment, distinctive yeast for each type of brew, selected malts, flawless recipes, and top quality water and hops. You got to stop by!
#8
Monkey Head Brewing
Monkey Head Brewing is known as the first fully licensed microbrewery in Guanacaste. The brews they offer are blonde ale, pale ale, hefeweizen, IPA, kettle sours, and cas cider. Their products can be found along the Pacific Coast at Cafe Europa in Liberia, Zi Lounge in Playas del Coco, Paw House Roaster Bakery in Playa Hermosa, The Shack in Playa Potrero, The Fish Bar, and El Chivo both in Nosara. Their beer availability varies according to location, but the one place you can enjoy them all for sure is at Monkey Head Brewing Taproom in Liberia.
#9
Numu Brewing Company
Liberia is home to Numu Brewing Company, where they have mastered the art of creating Costa Rican beer following professional standards. The high-quality product can be seen, tasted, and enjoyed in every detail. Numu has created six different premium beers that both locals and visitors have come to enjoy. From light golden options to spicy and aromatic, fruity and herbal, their flavors must all be tried, at least once. Although the brewery is located in Liberia right in front of the International Airport, you can enjoy their beers at Numu Taproom and Bistro at Playas del Coco in Pacifico Village Suite C7.
#10
Las Olas Brewing
Las Olas Brewing is another one of the fantastic breweries in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where you can expect to experience the local culture of the area along with some of the best craft beers in town. You can find this brewpub in Playa Grande where good food and a relaxing and fun atmosphere meet to grant you a wonderful time.
#11
Guanabeer Company
Guanabeer company is a business owned by a Costa Rican couple from San Jose who moved to the town of Hojancha, located on the Nicoya Peninsula (the southern tip). So far, they offer 2 types of craft beer: La Guanaca and La Guanaca Red IPA, both made with fresh water from the Blue Zone of Nicoya. La Guanaca is a semi-dry blonde-style beer that incorporates barley, wheat malts, noble hops, and high-fermentation yeast. The star ingredient added is locally produced honey. La Guanaca Red IPA is a bit stronger beer with an equally intense ruby color, it has a medium-high body and a perfect blend of sugar cane. These two beers can be found in different hotels and restaurants along Guanacaste.
The best breweries in Guanacaste continue to expand making the market competitive while raising the bar into better craft beer quality and flavor, which ends up benefiting consumers. We hope you enjoy your time in Costa Rica while tasting the amazing craft beer flavors locally produced.