The Beer of Belize, Belikin Beer is the only beer that is worth drinking when vacationing in Belize. Belikin is more than just a beer, it’s what brings us together says Belize Brewing Company. The company has been brewing Belikin Beer since 1971 with its tagline “the beer of Belize”. Therefore, Belikin Beer has become a true taste of Belize.
The origin of the name “Belikin” dates back to the ancient Maya Classical Period and means “road to the east”. This could also be referring to the eastward expansion of the Mayas toward Belize. It is believed to be what the native Mayas called Belize and connects Belikin with our Belizean heritage. While the label of the beer features the Maya site of Iconic Altun Ha Maya Ruin located 31 miles north of Belize City. Belikin Beer is a classic European Continental Lager. A special blend of Canadian pilsner malt and German hops, along with a lengthy fermentation and lagering, has made our flagship brew a perfectly balanced, great-tasting full-bodied beer.
About Belikin Beer:
Belize Brewing Company (makers of Belikin Beer) began in 1969 with Sir Barry Bowen and his son Eric Bowen. They couldn’t afford to build the brewery on their own, so they hired an international consultancy firm to produce a feasibility study, with the hope that it would provide a compelling financial story and thus allow them to borrow money from the bank. Despite the conclusion bring the opposite of what they had hoped for, Sir Bowen was undeterred and became even more determined to prove those “experts” wrong. Thus, he and Eric decided to search for potential investors. After looking far and wide, they found support in an unlikely neighbor, Honduras. In 1969, the brewery in Honduras, Cerveceria Hondureña was being managed by Berty R. Hogge. She read the feasibility study, saw the conclusion, and spoke at length with Sir Bowen about why he was pushing for a project that had little chance of success. Sir Bowen was never a salesman, but when he believed in something, he was dogmatic. Hogge recognized and appreciated his vision and drive, and despite the “experts” advice, Cerveceria Hondureña invested inBowens’ plan and Belize Brewing was off the ground.
Construction quickly began, with a bootstrap budget and used equipment sourced throughout the region. The brewhouse was a 43-year-old decommissioned solid copper four-vessel brewery made in 1927. It was moved and installed in Belize in 1970, and was run for another 30 years, until 2000. The only new piece of equipment purchased was a boiler, which on the day Hogge had flown in for a site visit, blew up. Back then Belize Brewing was not what it is today, but through sweat and determination, Sir Bowen forged ahead with a struggling business. Occasionally, there were thoughts that maybe the “experts” had been right, but Sir Bowen never gave up. Believing in his dream, his project, and in himself, in 1981 bought Cerveceria Hondureña’s shares.
In 1969 Sir Bowen launched Belize Brewing Company, makers of Belikin, to be sold ‘Onli Eena Belize’ (only in Belize). And through the support of its fellow Belizeans, the brewery has steadily grown. Not bad for a brewery that shouldn’t be! Not bad for a Belizean population too small for a brewery! Today, Belize Brewing celebrates fifty years of pursuing excellence.
The company remains independent and family-owned, today run by Michael H. M. Bowen, an eighth-generation Belizean. We are proud to be “The Beer of Belize,” and have done well for a company the experts thought had little chance of success. Belize Brewing Company now produces Belikin Beer, Belikin Stout, Belikin Light, Belikin Premium, Belikin Black N Tan, Belikin Sorrel Stout, Belikin Chocolate Stout, Guinness Stout, and Lighthouse Lager.
If you’re a beer lover there is no way you can leave Belize without tasting the worlds’ best beer, Belikin Beer. If you’re planning to vacation in Belize, feel free to contact the Premiere Tour Company in-country, Untame Belize Tours & Shuttles. We offer UnBelizable adventures and shuttles services from the Philip Goldson International Airport to any vacation destination in the country.
