Cerveza: Pilsen y artesanales
Pilsen, the country’s popular lager, and a craft scene that brews with native fruits and herbs.
What it is
Ice-cold beer goes with barbecue and the heat: Pilsen, from Cervecería Paraguaya, is one of the most widespread brands and you’ll find it at any copetín. Since the early 2010s a craft scene has grown up, with breweries such as award-winning Sajonia Brewing in Asunción and Kiagus in Encarnación, which experiments with native fruits and fresh herbs. In Itapúa and Guairá, German heritage is celebrated at the chopp (draft beer) festivals.
Ingredients
History
German immigrants brought beer culture to colonies such as Hohenau, Obligado, Bella Vista and Independencia, where chopp festivals inspired by Munich’s Oktoberfest have been held since the 1970s (Obligado’s Choppfest reached its 46th edition in 2019). Sajonia Brewing started in 2011 with a plant producing just 360 liters a month.
Did you know…?
Sajonia’s India Brown Ale won a bronze medal at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards.
When
Year-round; chopp festivals in February, October and November.
Where
Copetines nationwide; breweries in Asunción and Encarnación; the German colonies of Itapúa and Guairá.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 4 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.