I asked a local Osa Peninsula Facebook group what their favorite Costa Rican beer is: Pilsen or Imperial. Now, for me, living on the Osa Peninsula for 15 yrs, 20 yrs in Costa Rica. I’m a Pilsen man. Now, to make something very clear, I do not drink all the time. If I go out to lunch in Puerto Jiménez at a restaurant, I will have a couple of Pilsens.
YouTube below. Taking one for the Team.
Exception to the rule
Ok so I have a couple of fishing buddies who come down a couple of times a year. We fish all day. On my back porch, which we call the bull pin, I cook the day’s catch; my kitchen is outside. Which means the fridge is only feet away, and you can hear it saying I have cold beer. I mean, when the fridge is talking, beer is sometimes consumed in large volumes. And it is always Pilsen. Then the fish get bigger and bigger and bigger, and we start telling little lies.
It’s hot outside, ah, a cold beer.
It’s hot outside, and the thought of an ice-cold beer as you are hiking through Corcovado Park is on the back of your mind. You get to town and go to Delfines Restaurant on the beach. The waitress comes up to you, hands you a menu, and asks what you would like to drink. Pilsen or imperial.
You order an Imperial; The waitress comes back with an Imperial and a glass. There are beads of water on the outside of the beer. You take a sip; it is ice cold. It tastes way too good, and you know that it could lead to a very good time.
The survey says!
Officially, unofficially, the survey I did is as follows. Thirteen people like Imperial. Some like Imperial light, imperial silver. One group member said they like Imperial with fresh lime over Ice, which I have had, and it is very refreshing.
Imperial beer
Imperial beer, or as some people call it, La Aguila, or the eagle that is on the label. It was first founded in 1924. Blending traditional German brewing techniques with a lighter profile for Costa Rica’s climate. It has a 4.5%ABV
Pilsen Beer
Pilsen beer had 6 people in the group who drank Pilsen. Well, make that 7 because I drink Pilsen.
Pilsen beer has more flavor for me, with a bit more of a bite. It was founded in 1888 by a German immigrant, Jose Traube. It has a 5% ABV.
One group member said he is from Ohio, then he said free beer. So, of course, I had to ask Google if there is free beer in Ohio. Google’s response was no. But maybe he had a still or owned a brewery. I almost moved to Ohio. Until I did my research.
Another group member said he does not drink Costa Rica beer or US beer , but is a microbrewery type of person. Hats off to a man who knows what he wants.
Bavaria Oro
Three group members said they like Bavaria Oro. It is a very dark Beer. So my curiosity got the better of me. I must try all three.
I drove down to Delfines restaurant, which is right on the beach. What better way than to do my own personal survey overlooking the Golfo Dulce
Taking one for the team.
Be sure to watch the YouTube video. Imperial or Pilsen. Taken one for the team.
In conclusion, Costa Rican Beer
Of course, my advice is to try all the Costa Rican beers. Whether your favorite is Imperial, Pilsen, or Bavaria Oro. Enjoy ice-cold beer watching the waves roll in at Delfines restaurant on the Beach
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