In Ecuador there are already 253 brands of craft beer, which together reach a production of 6 million liters per year, which represents a sum of money of approximately $25,512,356. The figure of six million liters represents 1.06% of industrial beer production. Although it may not seem like much, it is a milestone that the craft brewery has not reached in other countries in the region, even with a longer brewing history. That’s how he tells it Kathy Garate, administrator of the Association of Craft Brewers of Ecuador (Associerv).

It is that in the country, craft beer is making its way to the taste of Ecuadorians with its German and Belgian styles. But also with a national touch and the use of fruits, spices, with chicha, guayusa, banana, passion fruit, vanilla, mint…

According to the association’s data on the commercial activities of beer, it is currently located in twelve cities in the country, and Quito is the city where it is most concentrated. this sector with 32%, followed by Guayas with 13.88% and Loja with 10.20%.

These days, the craft brewing sector is celebrating this achieved milestone, which is the product of “years of dedication, investment and development of new proposals aimed at the future of the industry, as well as the dedication, quality and passion of craft brewers”. says Garate.

According to the trade union commissioner, there are several reasons why the craft beer market has grown.

Most of Asocerv’s members are foreigners, and so far an investment of approximately 10 million dollars has been registered. The President of the Association is Rayan Hood, a citizen of Oregon, USA. Oregon is one of the states with the most beer, and with that tradition he came to the country to open Pub in the historic core, reactivating this area. It’s about Pub Bandido Brewing, near the Julio César Hidalgo Coliseum (La Marín area).

In addition, craft beer from Ecuador has won important awards. For example, there is a beer museum, which respects the tradition brought by Fray Jodoco Rikie, and also Sinners Micro Cervecería has renewed the recipe whose Capuccino Stout beer was the first produced in Ecuador to be awarded at the World Beer Awards (WBA).

In parallel, Asocierv worked on initiatives to promote the consumption of these drinks in a responsible way. One issue they have been working on is to review the parameters of moderate drinking as set out in the sports law. A few days ago, the Supervisory Authority for Market Competition (formerly the Supervisory Authority for the Control of Market Power) recommended a review of these parameters. It is about the fact that currently craft beers that have six degrees of alcohol are not considered measures of moderation and therefore their consumption is limited, since the limit of 5 degrees of alcohol has been established. After the recommendation, says Garate, it will be requested that the relevant ministries start revising the standards.

But in addition, two important events were mentioned. One of the main actions that should be highlighted is The middle of the World Beer Cup. It is a Latin American competition that has been held since 2015 and that takes place every year as part of Ecuador Beer Week, which will be held from July 17 to 23.

Beer Week has an agenda full of various activities, such as a beer passport, tastings by local and international judges, a collaborative beer launch dedicated to the competition, workshops and beer conferences. To culminate, gastrofest, the largest beer industry fair that brings together more than 25 global beer and food brands in the Middle City of the World, will take place on July 22 and 23.