ONE OF PTY’S BEST KEPT SECRETS
If I know my fellow expats like I think I do, I know many of them love grabbing a drink. Here in Ciudad de Panama, La Rana Dorada and Pedro Mandinga are quite often a go-to meeting spot. Personally, I really love a mojito at Pedro Mandinga. When I heard about the distillery and brewery tour, I knew I had to check it out. The nerd in me needs to know about “the process” involved in making local, artisanal products that I adore. During the tour, not only can you see the inner workings of the most popular microbrewery in town, you practically get your money back in drinks by the time it’s all said and done.
I visited La Rana Dorada Cerveceria and Destileria located in Tumba Muerto one Friday afternoon with friends. While we waited for the fun to start, we all sipped on a free glass of beer of our choosing at the bar. A group of young students from the US enrolled in a Spanish Language program at the Casco School joined us. They made the tour very lively asking great questions about the methods in place. The guide was very democratic about letting us choose between English and Spanish for the tour. Spanish won the day as the students wanted to practice what they were learning.
Our bilingual guide, walked us through the facility touching on the brand history’s and inspiration, as well what makes Pedro Mandinga rums and La Rana Dorada beers unique. Local flavors like maracuya, cacao, Geisha coffee and raspadura are markedly Panamanian. After we had made our way through the main warehouse and chilly refrigerator, we gathered around the bar again. There, we sampled a delicious Geisha Coffee Rum made with the world’s most expensive coffee per pound and chose our beers to take home.
In the final analysis, this tour ticks so many boxes. The opportunity to learn something new, have fun and grab a drink in my adopted city definitely make it a win-win. I’m definitely looking forward to my next visit. Salud!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you would like to take the tour, visit https://www.laranadorada.com/products/tours-cervecero.
Who? Groups of no more than 10 people. Minors may join if accompanied by their parents
When? The tour runs on Fridays at 4pm and 6pm, and Saturdays at 2pm or 4pm.
Where? Dirección: Avenida Juan Pablo II, calle C, galera N°1.
How much? The cost of the tour is $15. This includes a glass of beer or mojito in a can and a 4 pack of beers of your choice at the conclusion of the tour.
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Have you come across any hidden gems or well-guarded secrets around town? Comment below.