Last night, GingerScoop attended a tasting of the new beer by Island Time Brewing. This may not seem like a big deal to those of you who haven’t visited Belize…but for YEARS, the only beer available was Belikin. YEARS. It is our national drink.In 2012, after a few years of negotiation, a brewing license was granted to a new microbrewer. Probably the first in 20 years? And there is great excitement on the island, in Belize and…I dare say it…the world.Hip hip hooray…Island Time Brewing is out with their new ale! I can’t wait to see the merchandise. But enough from me…here is GS’s report. (AND new addition: some comments from Steve, the owner of Lola’s Pub at the end with a bit of clarification and detail.)
I was lucky enough to be invited to a âspecial nightâ with my friends, Adam and Jackie of Casa Picasso Restaurant on Monday night. I was not told where we were going or what we were about to do. The suspense was killing meâ¦..
And as we pulled up to Lolaâs Pub, I realized I was going to be able to taste a beer other than Belikin for the first time in over a year! Thatâs right! I was one of the few that was about to experience the first taste testing of one of the new concoctions of brew on the island. Island Time Brewing Company, headed by Jeff and Michelle, is the first in Belize to get a license to brew beer other than Belikin.
Waitâ¦.a beer other than Belikin available? That may be some of the best news I have heard since arriving here last December. Donât get me wrong, I love Belikin, but you can only drink so many of them before you are ready for another taste.
Garrick, who is heading up the brewing, gave us a detailed description of the Blonde Ale and told us a little bit more of what is to come from Island Time Brewing Company. They are working on a MPA (Mayan Pale Ale) and My Precious Porter. Both sound delicious.
Where will you be able to try these new heavenly concoctions? As of right now, Lolaâs will have Sunburned Blonde on tap. Not sure when it will be available, but I know I will find time to make it into town and maybe play a few games of Jenga while sipping on the delicious brews. They are going to distribute it to a few other locations, although what places, I do not know. Should I plug a few cool beach bars? (hint, hintâ¦.ha ha)
As we were enjoying Island Time, we heard the marching band making itâs way down front street. The local band has been doing a lot of fundraising lately. They did a fundraiser last Sunday at Crazy Canucks and I also saw them marching down the beach, playing in front of every resort. They are raising funds to help buy new uniforms. I love the little drummersâ¦.too cute. (picture quality not too great, sorry!)