Aruba's Golden Brew

After spending a few days in Aruba, you mightguide outlines the complex beer making process -
notice a unique brand of beer served at every barfrom the earliest stages of the fermentation to the
and restaurant on the island. Balashi, Aruba's favoritebottling and packaging. As Balashi has become a
local brew, is one of the most popular productssource of local pride, the tours are always energetic
produced in Aruba. Starting small just ten years ago,and provide an atmosphere that the whole family can
the Balashi Brewery has grown into one of theenjoy. The free one hour tour takes place each
world's most acclaimed beers. Meanwhile, the Balashiweekday at 10 am.
Brewery has constructed a truly state of the artAfter touring the Balashi facility, you should definitely
facility complete with a European-style beer gardentake some time to relax in the brewery's famous
that has quickly become a favorite destination forbeer garden. Modeled after the inviting courtyards of
traveling families and locals alike.Holland - Aruba's mother country - Balashi's beer
As the island of Aruba retains much of its Dutchgarden has quickly become a favorite destination of
colonial charm, it makes sense that Balashi has alwayslocals and tourists alike. Besides having a chance to
been produced using the finest European brewingtaste Aruba's award winning brew in its freshest
traditions. Klaus Eckert, the renowed Germanstate, you can enjoy an incredible view of the island's
brewmaster, experimented with brews duringunspoiled countryside from every seat in the beer
Balashi's early days, eventually developing thegarden. Children can sample the brewery's special
brewery's signature beer. The resultant variety ofnon-alcoholic brew, a healthy drink known as Malta.
pilsner exhibits a deep golden hue, minimal bitternessBrewed in the same fashion as Balashi's beer, Malta is
and the distinct aroma of fresh hops. The world-classnot fermented and the final product is a slightly
taste of Balashi is created using hand-selectedsweet, dark colored beverage unique to Aruba.
Scottish malt and German hops, allowing the beer toOddly enough, just a few years ago, ordering a
compete with Europe's finest brews year in and year"Balashi Cocktail" at a restaurant or bar in Aruba
out.would have provided you a glass of fresh drinking
While many beers have gained the favor of judgeswater. Named for the island's desalination plant
and beer lovers throughout the world, few havelocated in the region known as Balashi, the water has
earned as much respect as Balashi in so short a time.since become an integral part of Aruba's brewing
While the mother company of the Balashi Brewery -success. As the name Balashi comes from a pair of
Brouwerij Nacional Balashi - was founded over tenAruac native words meaning "near the sea," it seems
years ago, the first batch of Balashi was not brewedan appropriate title for one of the Caribbean's most
until May 1999. It took only two years for thecelebrated beers. Additionally, as the brewery is
awards to start rolling in from prestigious brewinglocated amongst the remnants of a once-vibrant gold
competitions, beginning with the 2001 Gold Medal inmining industry in the Balashi region, the distinctive
the Monde Selection at Brussels. Courtesy of a $12glow of Aruba's beer seems all the more connected
million state-of-the-art brewing facility, the consistentto the island's history and unique landscape.
quality of Balashi earned the Grand Gold medal inAs sampling local products is often one of the great
2004.joys of traveling, make sure you visit the brewery
If you visit the facility, you will have the opportunitythat has quickly become a source of national pride
to participate in the free daily tour. Visitors are guidedfor all Arubans.
along a catwalk above the brewery floor while the