January may conjure up images of winter jackets and frigid temperatures, but our friends south of the equator experience seasons a little bit differently than we do. While we may be cradling tulip glasses by the fire to celebrate stout season, Chile’s beer lovers are throwing their beers in the cooler to enjoy a summer day outside. The Patagonia Hoppy Lager & Red Lager are two beers that were produced by the folks at Austral just in time for Chilean summertime.
If I can’t travel internationally, at least we can travel vicariously through our beer. Let’s crack open these brews and see what is underneath the fancy packaging.
Who is Cervecería Austral?
Cervecería Austral was founded in 1896 and is the oldest brewery in Chile. German brewmaster Jose Fischer began brewing beers near Patagonia and successfully became the first commercial beer operation in the country.
At the time, the brewery went by the name of Patagona. The Patagona name lasted until the early 60’s when the brewery was sold and renamed Austral. The ownership didn’t change much else about the brewery though; the original location remains the same in the heart of its budding community.
Austral produces over a half-dozen year-round beers. The brewery recognizes its German roots with a number classic lagers while also brewing beers that honor the style & ingredients of the south Chilean region.
Where is Cervecería Austral?
Cervecería Austral is located at the southern-tip of Chile and was once known as the world’s southernmost brewery, though that is now disputed by the brewers that lie just across the border near Ushuaia. Nevertheless, the legend that is Patagona/Austral has endured for over a century and they continue to lay claim to the title on their website.
Serious hikers may recognize Punta Arena as the home of PUQ, one of the gateway airports to an adventure in Patagonia. Melting snowpack provides the water source for this brewery; you are quite literally getting a taste of Patagonia with every sip of Austral’s beer.
What’s so special about Patagonia’s Hoppy Lager & Red Lager?
Austral isn’t hiding their affiliation with this beer, but these two beers are very clearly marketed under a new brand name: Cerveza Patagonia (which is not to be confused with the similarly named Cerveza Patagonia from neighboring Argentina).
From what I can tell, the Chilean Patagonia brand is very new to market. The official Instagram page dates back only to October 2020, and these two cans represent their entire product line.
Speaking of cans, the Patagonia can art is incredibly cool. The Hoppy Lager features a large rendering of a mylodon (which I admit required a Google search). The mylodon is an extinct ground sloth that used to call Patagonia home. The vibrant Red Lager can art features a much more recognizable animal: the smilodon (a.k.a. saber-toothed tiger). Another creature from a bygone era, smilodon fossils have been found throughout the Americas and were known to inhabit southern Chile.
The fact that these beers are lagered is a nod to Patagonia’s German heritage. There is a long history of German-inspired beer brewing in southern Chile, and Patagonia’s beer scene has exploded in the last decade.
Patagonia’s offerings represent an approachable entry point for any beer drinker looking to step up from the humdrum macro lagers found on market shelves.
How do Patagonia’s Hoppy Lager & Red Lager taste?
The Red Ale (5% ABV) pours a rich amber hue with quickly disappearing foam. The aroma is full of caramel with just a hint of toastiness, and the taste follows suit. I was expecting roasty & malty flavors to come through like a red ale, but this lager tastes sweeter with a slight nuttiness on the palate. Don’t expect this beer to taste like a standard red ale.
The Hoppy Lager was my favorite of the two beers. Patagonia is quick to point out that this beer is not an IPL (confusingly, the Argentinian Patagonia brewery has an IPL by the same name). The aroma is complex with hints of piney hoppiness, and the color is a strong straw. Each sip is balanced with a touch of rich sweetness. This beer keeps you wanting more without making you think too hard about overpowering flavors. The Hoppy Lager weighs in at just 4.8% ABV, which makes this a fine sesssion beer.
At the end of the day, I think these beers accomplish a simple goal: crushable summer beers perfect for drinking while grilling or lounging by the water. Considering that these cans clock in at 470 ml (15.9 oz), you will want to make sure you pace yourself.
Final Thoughts on Patagonia’s Hoppy Lager & Red Lager
I have to admit that getting my hands on these cans involved a fair bit of work; getting to and from Chile is no easy task in the COVID-19 era, but I happened to have a special someone making the trip for family purposes. There is a certain sense of novelty of sipping this beer not long after its official release.
Given how new the Patagonia brand is and how hard it was to find any information about these beers online, I would not be surprised if I was told that we were the first to drink Patagonia’s lagers on U.S. soil!
Have you had any beers from South America? Let us know on Instagram by tagging us in a pic!
