Whether classified as light, lager, golden ale, or summer ale, the Caribbean’s most oft-requested beers prove that blondes are more fun. Presenting a deliciously tempting, well-balanced character with a full body, the golden blonde elixirs of beer most favored in the Caribbean offer a splash of cool refreshment in an environment blessed with an ever-present sun and an abundance of turquoise blue seas.

But, of course, where else would you expect to find the most beautiful blondes? The surprise, however, comes in how these blondes are dressed. The beers served on the islands are often found in skimpy cans and diminutive looking 7-oz. and 8-oz. bottles. For those beer lovers from abroad, whose hands have been conditioned to gripping the larger, 12-oz. standard, it does take a bit of getting used to.

Despite what you might think, the “baby” bottles of beer are no island rip off, but an ingeniously simple way to preserve the beer’s best qualities. Any Caribbean bartender will tell you—as he or she inevitably leans in close with a sly smile—size does matter! Smaller bottles of beer provide for a longer climax of a cold shock of relief from the sun’s unrelenting rays, and the smaller mouth retains the beer's crispness longer than the larger bottles. While 12-oz. bottles are still carried on most islands, found mainly in tourist locales, the smaller bottles and cans are authentically Caribbean, and can be found at local island hangouts.

  
While varied, from imports to native brands, the type of beer categorized as Caribbean lager could be considered the impish cousin of Europe and North America’s pale ales, twice removed from the heavier stouts and brown ales. Many Caribbean varieties—like Mexico’s Sol and Corona, and Curacao-brewed Amstel Bright—are straw to golden blonde, presenting a non-bitter, crisp beer. In fact, the brewers of some of these beers add a little sugar in the mix to waylay any bitter aftertaste. Whether it’s the aura created by the marketing machines behind these Caribbean brews—the clear bottle packaging, the hip beach ads, and the trendy suggested addition of a citrus blast of lemon or lime—or that these beers are marked by a subtle complexity, the result is that of a marked preference for something light and refreshing while enjoying the island lifestyle. Despite the light and easy image, though, these beers often retain a respectable average of about 5% alcohol by volume.

Many Caribbean beers are subcategorized into a locally brewed market sector, with limited distribution and little international commercial exposure. These beers usually enjoy a strong following by the locals. When in Rome do as the Romans do, and many Caribbean travelers are attracted to experimenting with brands unique to an island. Some of these locally brewed success stories include Aruba’s Balashi, Trinidad’s Carib, Dominica’s Kubuli, Wadali from Antigua, Cayman Island’s Stingray, Kalik from the Bahamas, and Banks from Barbados. These beers tend to favor a more profound flavor profile than the more widely-marketed Caribbean brews, but still aim to refresh with a decent hit of carbonation and a light, creamy head. Recently, some of these local beers relegated to a small local following have been gaining strength in international appeal, most notably Jamaica’s Red Stripe. In the southern Caribbean, Venezuela exports Polar and the newly-released Polar Ice. Both Polar and Polar Ice are extending their reach to many of the islands and even some areas of the United States, where a distribution house is now located in New York.

  
Thankfully, the formality sometimes associated with wine has never hampered beer, which is appropriately sipped or guzzled, according to choice. Not limited by a dress code, beer is often enjoyed in the Caribbean while wearing anything from the tiny bikini to baggy surfer ware. Casual and hip, there is no pretension in beer drinking in Caribbean venues. While you may enjoy pheasant with heavy ale, the golden elixirs of beers found on island may best compliment chicken wings or a juicy steak from the grill.

That is not to deny the fact, however, that many of the finest ingredients go into island beers. Beers that are actually brewed in the Caribbean often contain high quality malt and hops imported from Europe, and are made sublime by famously fresh Caribbean water. The desalinization process utilized by the brewers of Balashi on Aruba and Wadali in Antigua yield a crystalline ingredient in their beers, while Dominica’s Kubuli reaps the benefits of water from the island’s natural springs. The results are deliciously smooth, golden-colored Pilsner beers.

While nighttime adventures would often not be complete without a little company from one of the islands’ favorite little blondes, these brews are not just a one-night stand you might pick up at a bar. The cool, frothy taste can be a true source of pleasure whether combined with lazy days on the beach or any preferred high-energy activity. While traveling the Caribbean, you need to look no further than a local sporting match, which often carries the sponsor name of a Caribbean-brewed beer. Corona, in fact, is the main sponsor to Aruba’s annual Hi-Winds windsurfing competition, and Amstel Bright recently sponsored Aruba’s first Kite Surfing Invitational in September, proving once again that the combination of sun, sea, and dynamic sports activities are a match for beer’s feel-good appeal.

The experience of seeing your special someone for the first time through the splash of beer as you lift your bottle is also not unheard-of. Handling a cold bottle of beer, enjoying the dance of condensation as it drips down the side of the bottle, you may find yourself exchanging glances and shy smiles through the sweaty heat of a colorful, local dive. Romance and beer does mix in the Caribbean, greatly aided by the grooving, hip-swaying beats of reggae and carnaval rhythms.

Put simply, the Caribbean’s favorite beers are the perfect party drink, given to feelings of youth and vitality. Refreshment is the main purpose, leaving your energy intact for long nights of celebration on the beach or balcony of a favorite terrace bar.

After all, who could resist sitting at a beachside bar, feet dug deep in the sand, while tossing back a few ice-cold ones? It may be one of the best ways to spend a warm, leisurely afternoon, or the beginning of some of your favorite evenings in the Caribbean.

  
Photography by Steve Keith

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