Cuban Beers

Heading to Cuba means you won’t be able to find many familiar branded goods. When it comes to beer, you’ll mostly be drinking local brews.

While you can find Heineken in many bars, the majority of Cubans stick to the cheaper local stuff. The most ubiquitous is Cristal, a weak lager that slips down easily thanks to its inoffensive taste. Just make sure you drink it before it gets warm.

Some people prefer the stronger and more flavorsome Bucanero, which weighs in at 5.4 percent. You might find you get tipsy on these in the strong Cuban sun.

In state-run bars and restaurants, you might find the cheaper Mayabe beer on sale. Look out for the silver cans. Another similar option is Cacique, slightly stronger.

You might also see Tinima draught beer in certain places, with small cups sold for around 50 cents. This brew isn’t fizzy and the first taste might seem a bit strange, but if it’s the only thing on offer you might find yourself getting used to it.

On rare occasions you will also find Bruja beer, either in small bottles or on tap. It’s a flat beer, and one of the cheapest on the island, but it’s not for everyone.

Look out for these beers on your travels in Cuba, but be aware most locals stick to rum because it’s cheaper and it doesn’t have to be kept cold.