Cuban Beer Guide

Beers are seen as something of a luxury item in Cuba, where the locals prefer rum. That said, you will find beer everywhere. Here are some of the best brews on the island.

The most commonly seen Cuban beer is Cristal, a watery lager best to drink ice cold. It’s nothing to write home about, but it is refreshing in the heat.

Bucanero is stronger in flavor and alcohol content, and generally sold in the same places as Cristal. At 5.4 percent, it packs a punch and you’ll want to be careful not to get too drunk if you are drinking in the sun.

Next up are the cheaper national beers such as Mayabe and Cacique. These are usually found in government-run establishments and tend to be cheaper than Cristal or Bucanero. They come in similar silver cans, but Cacique is stronger than Mayabe with 4.5 percent alcohol content compared to 4 percent.

In some places you might find Tinima for sale on tap. It’s a flat lager that isn’t to everyone’s taste but small glasses can be had for as little as 50 cents from street vendors. Bruja is a similar brew, a flat lager usually sold on tap, but it’s one of the hardest to find.

If you want something more familiar, Heineken is a fairly common sight in tourist bars.