What is the National Beer of Brazil?
Brazilian beer is characterized by its breweries, which are generally small, situated in cities like Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Many of these brewers brought their brewing traditions from abroad. But, due to economic reasons and lack of ingredients, they had to make compromises on quality. But, more recently, they have reintroduced traditional practices, and some of their beers have received international recognition.
Brahma
Brahma is a light, pale lager that was first produced in Brazil in 1888. It has a pale gold color and a white head. The lager was one of the first brands of beer in the country. Its popularity has spread throughout the world. It sells well in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Russia.
Brahma’s success in the country has its origins in an unorthodox business strategy. In the late 1970s, Brahma was a local player. However, the Brazilian beverage market was undergoing a rapid consolidation process. As a result, new global giants began to emerge. In 1995, Anheuser-Busch attempted to acquire Antarctica, but the Brazilian brewer rejected the offer.
Brahma is a light beer with a refreshing aftertaste of papaya. Its packaging is unique and reflects the Brazilian spirit. The bottle is made from crystal clear glass and has embossed lettering. Its logo is in the form of a swinging bottle. The label also features a Rio-flash red “Brahma” brand block, which exudes Brazilian passion.
Cerveja escura
The national beer of Brazil, Cerveja escura, is a bittersweet brew with a low hop content and a strong, fruity flavor. Brazil has no significant barley or wheat production, and as a result, most brewers focus on mass production rather than quality. This results in a typical Brazilian beer with low hop content and high proportions of un-malted cereals. Other ingredients used in the production of Brazilian beer include artificial carbonation and additives.
While Brazil has a rich history of brewing, the process has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Today, the country has a booming microbrewery industry, with several recognized brands produced in cities throughout the country. The country also has a growing trend toward international brewing, with a variety of imported beer becoming popular. Leading suppliers include The Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, and Uruguay. Some of these beers have received international recognition.
Brazil has a diverse beer culture, including specialized and mass-produced brews. While mass-produced Brazilian beers contain four to five percent of alcohol, specialty beers are often higher in alcohol content, topping seven percent. Although Brazilian beers are widely available, the selection is slim. Depending on the region, you might find Stella, Heineken, or Antartica on tap. However, most of the local cheap beers are Skol, Brahma, and Itaipaiva.
Chope
Chope, the national beer of Brazil, is a light blond pilsner with a head that can be very creamy. It is generally better to drink it from a draft than from a can. The most popular varieties of chope are called escuro, Brahma, and Antarctica. Other types include cachafa, which is a high-proof sugarcane alcohol.
Chope is not available in all bars and supermarkets in Brazil. You can purchase imported beers from the US, Canada, or the UK at your local grocery store. They include brands such as Heineken, Budweiser, and Carlsberg. There are also a few popular Brazilian beers, which you can purchase in supermarkets. They usually have a different taste than the national beers.
When ordering a Brazilian draft beer, remember to order it with one finger. It is best to hold up your index finger while ordering. This gesture means “please” or “cheers” in Portuguese.
2cabecas
Despite being the national beer of Brazil, 2 Cabecas isn’t exactly an adventuresome drink. It is more of a refreshing, light beer than anything else. However, it does come in some interesting varieties. For example, its brewers have developed a draft wine-beer fusion, Haller, that rhymes with “beer before wine.” Haller comes in barrels and cans and is served in a beer glass.
Another Brazilian sour beer is the 2.9% ABV Leblon Saison. The beer is brewed with umbu pulp from northeast Brazil. The sourness of the pulp blends well with the naturally sour beer style. It is often accompanied by other flavors such as mango and vanilla.
Other popular 2cabecas beers include the Imperial Stout, which is a delicious, thick beer that lacks hops and yeast. It also comes in a range of styles, including a pale ale, a Belgian golden ale, and a Belgian golden ale.
