Join the Boozy Blondes as they visit Cuba’s oldest brewery, yet one of Miami’s youngest! If you’ve been listening to the Boozy Blondes podcast, this will be the third time you’ll hear about Cerveceria la Tropical in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, Florida. (Episode 20 and Episode 37)
Chrissy met Harold Perez Mendoza, Cerveceria la Tropical brewer, in the Keys at Hemingway’s Rum Co. Distillery in 2022, and she gushed about the brewery. She invited Harold to be on the podcast and the girls met up with him at the beginning of 2023.
The DOE is la Original Reserva, an amber lager, one of Cerveceria la Tropical’s core beers. Harold poured it straight from the tank. This is the original Cuban recipe from 1888! When you listen to this episode, It’s safe to say this was not the girls’ first drink of the day – Harold is a great Boozy guide!
Harold is from Venezuela and started with Cerveceria la Tropical from the beginning. Prior to here, Harold worked for a few other breweries (including Veza Sur, another Boozy Blondes favorite featured in Episode 20) and owned his own brewery in Venezuela.
So a brief history for you (read the full story here), Cerveceria la Tropical started in Cuba in 1888 but was nationalized when Castro’s government took over in 60s. So the Cerveceria la Tropical founders and family moved to Miami and forgot about the beer business. Fast forward to more modern day and the founder’s grandson partnered with Heineken to bring Cerveceria la Tropical brewery back!
In Cuba Cerveceria la Tropical was located in a beautiful tropical garden in Havana. It was the center of entertainment! In Miami Cerveceria la Tropical replicates much of what it was in Havana – the giant birdcage, pictures of the original brewery adorning the walls, the gates at the entrance, the stage, the garden! It’s truly beautiful here. And caters to everyone – beer drinkers, wine drinkers, liquor drinkers, mocktail drinkers, foodies, kids, pets – everyone can find something they love here.
Harold mentions it’s important to produce beers favorable to the masses but also get creative. Cerveceria la Tropical is starting to make more creative and unique beers. They are growing organically but quickly! Their goal is to release two to three new beers in the taproom each month. In addition to beer they are developing ready to drink (RTD) beer based options. In the taproom you can try numerous beer-based cocktails and plans include canning these for distribution.
There is always something going on at the taproom and you can rent out the space for your special events too! Be sure to follow Cerveceria la Tropical on Facebook and Instagram and visit the website to see beers on tap, upcoming entertainment, food menus, tour info and so much more!
Boozy Blondes 