By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – This Friday, August 4th, all beer lovers have a legitimate reason to raise their glasses: it is the celebration of the International Beer Day in over two hundred cities around the world – Rio included. Tonight, several bars, pubs, restaurants and parties across the city will promote promising happy-hours for all tastes.
The celebration first started in California, in 2008, with the purpose of gathering friends and paying homage to the producers and servers of beer.
Today, several countries across the globe dedicate every first Friday of August to the golden drink. The International Beer Day, which is traditionally welcomed by a countdown, even counts with an official website and a manifesto.
As the Cariocas’ favorite drink, beer has always been the perfect excuse for a good get together at a “boteco” (how Cariocas call an old simple bar). In the last decade, Rio’s solid beer culture has been encouraging entrepreneurs to release their own labels.
Since 2007, the beer sector saw an increase of 900 percent of new labels only in Rio’s State. From artisanal craft beers to more imported specialty beer options, the market has exploded, including numerous festivals around the city all year round.
With its wide variety of bars, pubs and restaurants, Rio has options for all tastes and moods. From the every-day popular beer to fancy exclusive labels, find below your favorite spot to celebrate the International Beer Day tonight.
Botto Bar (Tijuca)
Run by beer master Leonardo Botto, the house in Tijuca offers the finest labels’ selection from Germany, Belgium and England in the coolest rock’n’roll and blues atmosphere. The venue has twenty beer taps, bringing new brands every week. What’s more, its gourmet snacks, like the the pork’s croquette, are worth trying.
What: Botto Bar
When: this Friday, August 4th – from 5PM
Where: Rua Barão de Iguatemi, 205 – Praça da Bandeira – Tel: (21) 2537-1192
Entrance: FREE
Social-Wieninger (Centro)
Recently founded by German Arne Muncke, Social-Wieninger brought the traditional recipe all the way from the Bavaria region to Rio, offering a menu of reputable beers and typical Bavarian dishes. The taps offer the exclusive Wieninger craft beers (Wiess, Pils and Hell), and the bottled labels 1813 Kellerbier Naturtrüb and Impulsator Doppelbock can also be found in the venue.
What: Social-Wieninger
When: this Friday, August 4th – from 5PM
Where: Rua Santana, 141 – Centro – Tel: (21) 2507-7739
Entrance: FREE
Lupulino (Botafogo)
Just a few minutes from Botafogo subway station is Lupulino, a sixteen-tap pub that offers different beer varieties every day. The German Crew 7:45 Escalation (R$ 28,00 for 300 mililiters), an extremely aromatic double IPA, is one of Lupulino menu’s highlights.
What: Lupulino Cervejas Artesanais
When: this Friday, August 4th – from 6PM
Where: Rua Professor Álvaro Rodrigues, 148A – Botafogo – Tel: (21) 2535-0988
Entrance: FREE
Pavão Azul (Copacabana)
If you are looking for the simplicity of an authentic Carioca beer lover, forget about sophisticated labels and head to Pavão Azul, in Copacabana. “Pavão”, as people like to call it, is a really good deal: there, one can enjoy the true Carioca bar vibe with popular labels for a great price and great Portuguese snacks, like the “patanisca de bacalhau” (made of cod fish).
What: Pavão Azul
When: this Friday, August 4th – from 12PM
Where: Rua Hilário de Gouveia, 71 – Copacabana – Tel: (21) 2236-2381
Entrance: FREE
Delirium Tap House (Ipanema)
This is the second Rio’s branch of Delirium Tremens, Belgium label that has already been considered the best in the world. The house offers twenty taps, including three permanent beers: Delirium (R$22 for a 240 milliliters’ glass); Grisette (R$16,00 for 240 milliliters) and Paulaner (R$29,00 for 450 milliliters). In addition, the menu includes drinks like the Gold Velvet, with pineapple juice, witbier and sparkling wine, and a variety of delicious burgers.
What: Delirium Tap House
When: this Friday, August 4th – from 5PM
Where: Rua Nascimento Silva, 51 – Ipanema – Tel: (21) 3795-4594
Entrance: FREE