A pale lager served ice cold, Cuba’s mainstream beer. Cuban brewing dates to the nineteenth century, when Havana’s La Tropical brewery opened in 1888; Cristal is now brewed by Cervecería Bucanero.
It is one brewery’s commercial lager, and brewing beer at home is licensed or restricted across much of the atlas’s readership.
What goes into it
- malted barley
- rice or maize adjunct
- hops
- lager yeast
- water
How it is made
Malt and adjunct are mashed, the wort boiled with hops, cooled and fermented cool with lager yeast, then cold-conditioned for weeks before filtering and canning. It is brewed deliberately light and dry for the climate.
How long it takes: three to four weeks from mash to can
How it is eaten
Very cold, from the can, with fried food and at the beach.
History
Cuban brewing dates to the 19th century, when Havana’s La Tropical brewery opened in 1888; Cristal is now brewed by Cerveceria Bucanero.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cerveza Cristal?
Cerveza Cristal is a wine & spirit from Cuba: pale lager served ice cold, Cuba’s mainstream beer. Cuban brewing dates to the 19th century, when Havana’s La Tropical brewery opened in 1888; Cristal is now brewed by Cerveceria Bucanero.
How is Cerveza Cristal made?
Malt and adjunct are mashed, the wort boiled with hops, cooled and fermented cool with lager yeast, then cold-conditioned for weeks before filtering and canning. It is brewed deliberately light and dry for the climate. It takes three to four weeks from mash to can.
Can I make Cerveza Cristal at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It is one brewery’s commercial lager, and brewing beer at home is licensed or restricted across much of the atlas’s readership.
What goes into Cerveza Cristal?
Malted barley, rice or maize adjunct, hops, lager yeast, water.
How is Cerveza Cristal eaten?
Very cold, from the can, with fried food and at the beach.
