The Best Bogotá Breweries for Your Colombia Trip

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Bogotá breweries during our trip to Colombia. We had lived in San Diego, one of the top cities for craft beer in the United States, so I probably wasn’t giving the city enough credit for starters.

The thing is, the Bogotá breweries scene has exploded over the years. On top of the old favorites like the Bogotá Beer Company, the city offers hip beer bars that bring all of the boys and girls to the bar.

This guide gets into all of the breweries we loved and a few more that we’re saving for later as you plan out your quest to indulge in Bogotá’s best beer.

Bogotá Beer Company

No list of Colombian breweries would be complete without a nod to the Bogotá Beer Company. We had to do it. It wasn’t bad, but it was definitely the most touristy option available, with pitchers available upon request. 

Big chains like this one are super popular, but they’ve become tourist hot spots that cater to visitors rather than the art of craft beer in Bogotá.

One guy in a jersey asked to have American football put on the televisions, so that’s the vibe here.

The Bogotá Beer Company menu includes a variety of snacks and more substantial food options that you won’t see at all Bogotá breweries. If you’re hungry, this may be a highlight for you.

You’ll see these brewpubs all over the city, so choose the one that’s most convenient to where you are at any given moment.

Cerveceria Gigante

We were the only ones inside Cerveceria Gigante in Chapinero, but we definitely didn’t mind. The beers were cheap and the copas were definitely big enough for a taste if you’re doing a few more places. 

They have a kitchen, too, but I can’t vouch for the food. 

Note: This one is also a gastropub, so it likely has the best food options among the breweries I mention here.

I can vouch for their beers. They may only have four to pour at a time, but they’re all classic styles. Brian liked the Sequoia Red IPA while I sipped on their inoffensive Sirena Pils.

READ MORE: Planning for more than beer while you’re here? Steal my three-day itinerary for Bogotá.

El Mono Bandido La 93

Parque 93 just north of Zona Rosa is home to all kinds of cute eateries and bars that will make it feel like you’re far from downtown Bogotá. As we were on a brewery mission, our pick was El Mono Bandido La 93 and its excellent outdoor space.

The burgers looked delicious but we were just there to drink. They have a variety of cocktails, mocktails, and draft beers on rotation. We liked the Belgian Strong and Hoppy Red on that balmy day. 

This is basically a beach party in the middle of the city, complete with a sandy area to relax in if you don’t mind sand in all of your nethers. If we were traveling in a group of friends, it’d be great for that, too.

If you have to use the restroom while you’re here, you’ll have to pull up the bathroom doors like they’re a garage. I imagine that’s super fun when you’re overserved because I was challenged by it mostly sober.

El Mono Bandido Zona T

Yes, this is the same brewery chain as above, but it’s a completely different vibe. First of all, there’s a giant gorilla out front welcoming you inside, so you know this isn’t going to be a beach party. 

We were also there on a Saturday night, so things were a little more exciting than our weekday visit to their other location. We enjoyed chorizo bites, papas, and a similar menu of beers in this very fun atmosphere.

Fun fact: The bathrooms are much more relaxed at this one, but there’s a slide you can ride down from the top level to the bottom that keeps things interesting.

There are three more locations that I imagine are different than the two I already mentioned. Visit those in Quinta Camacho, Chapinero, or just west of Parque Central in Usaquén.

Hanna Hops

Hanna Hops was our favorite brewery in Bogotá. The ambiance was cute but the beers were excellent, too. They have fried pub grub if you’re feeling like a nosh, but if you’re just here to sip, the Pepper Strong Ale and Witbier were our picks.

These were guest beers vs. their house beers, but the knowledgeable staff isn’t shy about recommending something they know you’ll like.

We visited their location in the Quinta Camacho neighborhood for easier access to our hotel, but there’s a second location in Usaquén, too.

More Breweries in Bogotá

There are a few spots we missed in Bogotá just because we ran out of days. We kept things busy while we were here.

Note: It seems like brewpubs close in Bogotá on the regular. I found quite a few on other lists like Dos Carreras that were either temporarily or permanently closed, so you’ve been warned.

Here are a few more to try on your Bogotá craft beer hunt:

• 3 Cordilleras: The brewmaster at this one learned about craft beer while working in Atlanta, so expect pours to resemble American craft beer. Their first location opened in Medellin just in case you’re on a longer Colombia trip.
• Cerveceria Sudaca: This a true brewers’ brewery with tours of the plant available if you’d like to learn something in between pours. Visit this one in the Chapinero neighborhood of the city.
• Madriguera Brewing Co.: Madriguera has three pubs in Bogotá. Visit the Quinta Camacho neighborhood, Chapinero, or Usaquén, for sips of beer and cider. Yep, this one also serves up cider, one of the only breweries here that does both well.
• Statua Rota: This option in Chapinero is almost as popular for its cocktails and burgers as it is for its beer selection. Seriously, if you’re hungry, locals claim these are some of the best burgers in the city to go along with your pale ale.

Bogotá Beer Tours

If you don’t want to do the planning but still want to taste the best of Bogotá breweries, book a beer tour to make it easier on you.

We considered it, but had enough time in Bogota that we could pick and choose craft beer house stops along our regular itinerary.

Fun fact: Beer and food tours are one of my favorite ways to experience a city, especially with the right guide. 

Some of the tours even come with a game of tejo. It’s the national sport of Colombia that combines beer and gunpowder. We haven’t played, but I can’t say I’m not curious.

Here are a few highly-rated options for you to choose from:

READ MORE: The tours we took in Bogotá were great, but our favorite was the graffiti tour.

Beer in Colombia

The most popular beer in Colombia is Aguila, a low-ABV lager that’s essentially the Budweiser of the country. You’ll see it all over Colombia and Latin America, so someone’s drinking it. You can do better with the craft beer scene in Bogotá, though.

There are traditional Colombian beers brewed all over Bogotá, but there are many really inventive, original brews happening, too. That’s because there is no longer one beer style that is considered representative of Bogotá beer.

Yes, the city still drinks more lagers than anything else, but you can say that about most larger cities around the world. The craft beer scene in Bogotá is all over red and black ales, sours, porters, and even IPAs. You can find beer here to suit any preferences.

Where to Stay in Bogotá

We stayed in the Zona Rosa neighborhood in Bogotá at the GHL Hotel Hamilton. I’d highly recommend it for its easy access to nightlife, solid dining, and transit.

Our friends stayed at the NH Bogotá Boheme Royal next door when they found ours sold out for that time. They enjoyed that one, too, for similar reasons.

Use the map below for more options in that part of the city:

What is the best brewery in Bogotá?

The best brewery in Bogotá depends on your personal preferences in terms of beer styles, atmosphere, and overall experience.

The best place to get a beer in Bogotá in our opinion is a smaller operation like Hanna Hops that offers more personalized service.

It wasn’t a scene as so many beer pubs in Bogotá seem to be, the beer was delicious, and the staff was knowledgeable with suggestions on what would suit your palate. Talking to local beer enthusiasts is another great way to find breweries that align with your tastes.

You won’t be able to find your favorite brewery in Bogotá until you visit a few, though. Beer reviews are subjective. That may mean a few visits to this vibrant city in South America.

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