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 get to sample the brew of your choice and each of their unique rums. Come along as I explore one of PTY’s best kept secrets.
I visited La Rana Dorada Cerveceria and Destileria located in Tumba Muerto one Saturday 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 Antiguo Spanish School also joined us for the tour. 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, making the tour accessible for visitors that are not fluent in Spanish.
Our bilingual guide walked us through the facility touching on the brand history’s and inspiration, as well as 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 little sip of each of their signature rums including: Geisha, Silver, Blend, Cocoa and Coco.
In the end, this tour ticks so many boxes. The opportunity to have fun,learn something new and grab a drink in my adopted city definitely make it a win-win. I’m already looking forward to my next visit. ¡Salud!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- 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 $16. This includes a glass of beer or mojito in a can, rum sample(s) and a coupon for a pint in one of their many locations around Panama City.
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Have you come across any hidden gems or well-guarded secrets around town? Comment below with your favorites.