The Colombian craft beer scene is one that deserves to be recognized. And one of those Colombian craft breweries is located in the heart of Medellín. Welcome to Sierra Blanca Cervecería, where the beer is fantastic and the people are even better. This is Sierra Blanca Cervecería’s story, but it’s also a story that belongs to Medellín’s craft beer scene just as much.
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The Wonders of Medellín, Colombia
Medellín is a thriving city full of a diverse group of people consisting of locals, expats, digital nomads, and tourists. Many of them looking for the next best thing to experience, the next best dish to savor, or, if you’re like us, the next best beer to write home about.
And while the Medellín craft beer scene is about ten years behind the craft beer scene in the States, it is thriving just as much as the city is. And people here are beginning to appreciate the wonders of craft beer alongside the wonders of this culturally vibrant city.
Curious? Want to plant your trip to Medellín? Do it! And start planning by reading our guide to get you to Medellín.
Meet Carlos from Sierra Blanca Cervecería
Carlos, owner and head brewer at Sierra Blanca Cervecería is helping that appreciation for craft beer along quite nicely. A conference interpreter turned brewer and brewery owner, Carlos has visited many countries. Places like Panama, Chile, the U.S., Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and more.
And along the way he fell in love with beer. So when the pandemic hit and his conference travels slowed down, it was a given. Time to brew more and dial it in. And that he did. The result?
Carlos now heads up one of the best breweries in Medellín with a focus on local ingredients. He and other brewers in Colombia are working hard at creating a craft beer scene that is distinctly Colombian. And that includes the welcoming personas of the Colombian people along with the flavors native to the countryside. Flavors such as passion fruits (of which there are many) and tomate arbol (a fruit which roughly translates to tree tomato.
Inspired by his Latin American roots, Carlos loves to be unique and creative. He brews saisons, barrel-aged beers, and even chichas (a corn-based brew dating back to the Inca era), alongside the more typical craft beers such as IPAs, ambers, and more.
What do a rooster, a rabbit, and a monkey have in common?
They all reside side by side at home on Sierra Blanca’s logo, creating for us, at least, a symbolism of everyone coming together. Locals, tourists, expats, digital nomads. Because at a brewery, isn’t that how life works? You walk into a brewery no matter where you are in the world, and you are home. The people may speak a different language. The flavors may be unique to that terroir. But the community remains the same.
So, grab a beer. Join us as we chat with Carlos about the Colombian craft beer scene and how Medellín craft beer fits into it. But also, and more importantly, about how beer brings people together across aisles, countries, and cultures. But you’ll also hear the real story behind the rooster, the rabbit, and the monkey.
MORE CRAFT BEER IN MEDELLÍN
Taking your own trip to Medellín and need to know where all the beer is? After our trip, we compiled everything you need to know about finding craft beer in Medellín.
Wether you need a brewery, beer bar, or something to bring back home, wherever that may be, we’ve got you covered!
Oh, the beers we drank at Sierra Blanca Cervecería!
Connect with Sierra Blanca Cervecería
Sierra Blanca Cervecería
Cra 33 #7A – 22, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Harvest Hosts
Want to stay overnight at breweries, wineries, museums, farms, and more unique places? Got an RV or a fully self-contained vehicle? Become a Harvest Hosts member so you can enjoy thousands of unique camping spots all across the U.S. and more. Click here for more information on becoming a member.
Or are you a brewery owner or have a farm or space for people to spend a night? Want a unique advertising opportunity for your business. Become a Host today and welcome in travelers to your business. Click here for more information on becoming a Host.
Camp Carpe Diem
Looking for community and adventure on the road? Sign up now for Camp Carpe Diem, in Kalispell, this fall! It’s the coolest adult camp, ever, where you can fully embrace both the outdoors and beer – with friends, both new and old. Opening night sponsor is Sacred Waters Brewing Co. Tickets going fast! Don’t wait! Use code MontanaCCD for $15 off.
Want More?
Visit Medellín!
Visit ÖlBröder!
Visit Ensenada
For about the price of a beer, your virtual beer purchase will help keep us on the road bringing you the stories behind the beer.
Let us know you did just that, and we’ll put together a virtual happy hour with you. We’d love to see your smiling faces.
“We appreciate you highlighting our brewery on your podcast, your enthusiasm for craft breweries, travel and adventure and the patronage of not only you, but the friends you bring into Tres Litros.”
Jason at Tres Litros Beer Co
“Ken and April do a fantastic job of mixing the culture of beer and adventure into something akin to a fine barrel-aged sour. They are wise beyond their years. Loving this podcast and it will be on our weekly playlist for SURE!”
The Dog In Us
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Shout Outs:
Carlos, it was so great to meet you and your wife! The two of you were so welcoming both with the beer you craft and your personalities. It was such an honor to chat with you both at your taproom in Envigado. This is a moment we will cherish forever. We hope to see you again – either in Medellín or across the globe – wherever each of our travels take us. Until then, ¡Salud!
