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What is The Best Cuban Beer?

The drinking scene in Cuba is awash in rum and beer. The drinks are all cheap, especially when compared to western prices. Maybe you’ve heard stories about how much Cubans love to drink and party? Well, the stories are right. Despite the low average income in Cuba, locals can still afford to knock back a few cold ones every evening without breaking the bank. Lert’s give a quick run-down of the most common beers in Cuba.

Different Types of Cuban Beers

First, in terms of popularity, most foreigners seem to gravitate to either Cristal or Bucanero. The reason for this is very simply. These beers are priced in CUC and they are the most expensive Cuban beers. Most bars, hotels, restaurants and supermarkets located in touristy area will carry these beers exclusively. They cost 1 CUC each. Sometimes there is a small markup at certain restaurants or fancy hotel bars, but in most cases you can get a can at the government rate of 1 CUC.First, in terms of popularity, most foreigners seem to gravitate to either Cristal or Bucanero. The reason for this is very simply. These beers are priced in CUC currency and they are the most expensive Cuban beers. Most bars, hotels, restaurants and supermarkets located in touristy area will carry these beers exclusively. They cost 1 CUC each (equivalent to 1 USD). Sometimes there is a small markup at certain restaurants or fancy hotel bars, but in most cases you can get a can at the government rate of 1 CUC.

Cristal comes in a green can or bottle and has an alcohol content of 4.9%. Bucanero comes in a red and black can and has a stronger taste and an alcohol content of 5.4%. Both of these beers are comparable to average lager style beers. Their alcohol content is about average too.

Despite the fact that these are the most popular beers for tourists, there are in fact 2 more nationally sold beers which are slightly more popular with the local Cuban crowd. They are Cacique and Mayabe.

Traditional (Local) Cuban Beers

cacique and mayabe havana vedado cuba beerCacique and Mayabe are extremely popular with the locals because they taste great and are cheaper too (priced in Moneda Nacional, not CUC). Mayabe has an alcohol content of 4% and costs 18 pesos (MN) (75 cents USD). Cacique has an alcohol content of 4.5% and is sold for 20 pesos (MN)( 83 cents USD). Next time you are in Cuba, try these beers. In my opinion, they are fantastic. For my taste, Mayabe is the best, because I can drink a lot of it without feeling bloated. It’s similar to a Coors light beer. It’s not strong, but it sure is cheap. I like that fact that I can go to a Venta Libre stand (outdoor store) and hand the cashier 200 pesos (mn) and she gives me back 10 ice cold beers and a 20 peso note as change. 10 beers for the equivalent of $7.50USD. That’s a Real Havana DEAL!

Cheapest Beers in Cuba

tinima beer cuba havana best beerBut if you want to find even cheaper beer, you have a few more options. Try a brew from a small, regional brewer, such as Tinima and Bruja. These are really cheap, only about 10 pesos (MN) per bottle (42 cents USD). But, if you plan on taking the bottle home, you will have to pay the consignment of about 3 pesos per bottle extra (12 cents USD). But as long as you drink the beer on the premises (restaurant or bar) and give the bottle back to the barman, this is waived. The only note I would say about these beers is that they are considerably flatter than standard beer… It will not appeal to everybody, but you should try them anyway. And the bottles make good souvenirs from your trip. 

Conclusion

Get out there! Explore! Try the different foods, and BEERS that Cuba has to offer! There are beers for every taste and price point. There is nothing better to do on a sweltering Havana evening than sitting back (preferably in a breezy area near the ocean) and  sip (or chug) on a cool beer. And if you can accomplish that while being surrounded by some good friends, live music and maybe a few feisty Cubana girls, then you can forget the pearly gates, because you have found Heaven on earth.

Learn Even More About The Different Beers and Alcohols in Cuba

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By |2017-05-19T02:23:26+00:00September 30th, 2014|Food and Restaurants, Fun and Entertainment, Uncategorized|17 Comments

17 Comments

  1. Havana Cheap September 30, 2014 at 7:44 pm - Reply

    My favorite is Mayabe!

  2. […] As melhores cervejas de Cuba. […]

  3. May July 17, 2017 at 2:35 am - Reply

    I want mayabe beer tell me how to buy from japan

    • Mario July 20, 2017 at 3:10 pm - Reply

      Hi, to my knowledge you can only buy Cuban beer in Cuba. You would have to travel to Cuba, as far as I know.

  4. Dima August 5, 2017 at 2:52 am - Reply

    My favourite Cuban beer is Tinima from Camaguey – I respectfully disagree with the author that it is “flatter” – less hoppy for sure, but definitely much darker and maltier and yeasty. 5.3% abv makes it as strong as Bucanero.

    Bruja / Polar / Rubia are regional variations of the same beer as Tinima, the only one that is distinct is Santiago de Cuba’s Hatuey, which I personally think is worse than Tinima (less yeasty, but still malty).

  5. Mandy February 16, 2018 at 5:51 pm - Reply

    Does Cuba still have Presidentè or did that end after Castro died?

    • Mario February 23, 2018 at 2:19 pm - Reply

      Presidente beer is still available in Cuba. It is not Cuban. It is imported from the Dominican Republic.

  6. Stephen horner August 24, 2018 at 7:32 pm - Reply

    Anybody out there can tell me where in North East of England(specially Durham area)where I can buy Cristal beer?Many,many thanx!!

    • Mario September 5, 2018 at 5:03 pm - Reply

      I don’t think you will find it outside of Cuba.

  7. […] who doesn’t mind a touch of turmoil, then you’ll love it. If you can settle back, enjoy a local cerveza (Cristal is very good, but note that this is the beer not the famous champagne), and let things […]

  8. Any February 8, 2019 at 9:42 pm - Reply

    You forgot to mention something ¿ where are the bests beer ?
    Cristal, bucanero, mayabe, cristal…. they’re from holguin city

  9. […] its hot, glary and dusty.  We’re hungry and thirsty. We crash at an open-air cafe for a beer and squint at the menu board  lost in a bleary-eyed translation.  Checking out our neighbors […]

  10. carol hubbard February 25, 2019 at 5:59 pm - Reply

    can i buy Cuba beer in USA buccaneer is what we had at the plaza hotel in Havana

    • Mario March 22, 2019 at 12:44 pm - Reply

      Hi, sorry, Cuban beer is not available for sale in the USA. I don’t think they sell it anywhere outside of Cuba.

  11. Don February 12, 2020 at 3:05 am - Reply

    I love Crystal was in Varadero last week and it seems to be harder to find.Was at the Beatles bar no Crystal had Hollandaria (something like that) to me it was undrinkable and at 3.50 CUC. On our walk back to the resort a few bars no longer serve Crystal. Not sure what the reason is.

    • Mario February 12, 2020 at 1:49 pm - Reply

      Cuba has been unable to keep up proper production levels of domestic beer. The beer factories are old and inefficient. And the hops to make the beer is expensive. It is actually cheaper for Cuba to buy beer from international markets than to make their own beer in Cuba. So this is why it is hard to find some Cuban beers in Cuba, meanwhile there is tons of imported stuff. It’s just one more example of how Cuba is falling (failing)….

  12. Andrew July 25, 2021 at 8:35 am - Reply

    I’ve had Cuban beer twice (both times Bucanero). Once in Japan and once in Australia. So, yes you can find Cuban beer outside of Cubs if you look hard enough, but you might only find one brand and if you return to get more, you may find the place that sold it before is no longer selling it. Bucanero was ok…not great, but not bad.

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