The heat ignites the days in Lima, and a refreshing beer awakens the appetites of local palates.
We spoke with Marco Málaga, CEO and Brewmaster of 7 VIDAS (Best Brewery in America 2023), who visited Peru for a Master Class aimed at industry professionals. We had the opportunity to attend and learn to taste 16 unique creations, discovering the wide range of beer styles, their production process, and their ideal pairings.
Here are seven summer beers that Málaga recommends and that will trend in 2024 for their freshness, friendliness, and originality:
- AMERICAN RED ALE (ABV: 6.5% IBU: 40): A Red Ale-style beer characterized by its pronounced maltiness. The intense red color and white crown pave the way for the clean aromas of nuts, aromatic notes of caramelized malts, and a slight toasting.
- QUINUA WHEAT (ABV: 5.2% IBU: 25) is a Refreshing Peruvian version of North American wheat beers complemented with white quinoa. Citrus aromas of hops and subtle notes of quinoa. Medium bitterness and presence of wholemeal bread flavors and a citrus hint. Medium persistence finish. A refreshing beer for any occasion.
- OXAPAMPA HONEY ALE (ABV: 5.0% IBU: 15) Uses Oxapampa bee honey, a multi-floral honey with granadilla and pace flowers aroma. The beer has an intense golden color, honey aroma and flavor, balanced bitterness, slight sweetness, and absolute refreshment.
- MANGO MILKSHAKE IPA. (ABV: 6.1% IBU: 35) Fruity beer based on a delicious NE-IPA. Made with barley and wheat malt, toasted oats, lactose, Madagascar vanilla, and mango. Medium bitterness, great body, and extreme creaminess.
- ROSE BRUT (ABV: 6.5% IBU: 10) Made with Italia (Muscat of Alexandria) grape must from long-lived Tacneños vineyards. Fresh cranberries provide its “Rose” color and more complex fruity notes. It is a fruity but very dry beer, one of a kind that, due to the short harvest window, can only be brewed at the end of summer.
- WHITE SOLERA (ABV: 6.6% IBU: 18) It is a Barrel American Wild Ale-style beer aged for a minimum of 14 months in French oak barrels that previously held Sauvignon Blanc white wine with the addition of the “house blend cultures” and a strict “solera” method was followed to produce a straw golden color, good clarity. Delicate aromas of peach, pear, and white wine on the nose. Medium acidity, medium-high carbonation with a clean fruity taste reminiscent of white sparkling wine.
- X7 CZECH PILS (ABV: 5.0% IBU: 32) A Bohemian Pilsener made with super soft water, traditional mashing methods, fermentation at very low temperatures, and lagering for six weeks at 0 °C—moderate malt character, slightly sweet with hints of biscuit and bread. The hop bitterness is at a medium level with the classic floral and spicy notes of Saaz hops.
You can find some of their beers on the major supermarkets and on their taproom.