Inka Beer Cup 2025: Discover the Best Craft Beers and Brewers 

On Saturday, June 21, the Union of Craft Brewers of Peru (UCAP) announced the winners of the country’s most important national beer competition: the Inka Beer Cup 2025. The awards ceremony, held at the Red Cervecera brewery in Barranco, brought together brewers, beer lovers, and members of the press.

This year’s edition gathered 34 breweries from across the country, competing in 32 different categories. The beers were evaluated through blind tastings by a panel of 17 professional judges certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), including internationally recognized experts such as Rafael Dubois (USA) and Diego Perrota (Argentina), among others.

In total, seven gold, seven silver, and seven bronze medals were awarded. The title of Best Peruvian Beer 2025 went to PRAGA – Czech Pale Lager by Almirante Brewing, which also earned the distinction of Best Peruvian Brewery 2025 after taking home three gold medals and one bronze.

The Inka Beer Cup has consistently brought together over 50% of the country’s craft brewers in each edition. This annual competition aims to recognize the dedication, quality, and innovation of Peruvian craft brewers—a community of independent entrepreneurs who create unique beers with personality and character.

According to Olivier Diaz, president of UCAP, one of the main challenges for local brewers is competing with the prices and market dominance of industrial beers. The higher cost of ingredients and smaller production volumes place craft beers at a disadvantage. 

Nevertheless, Diaz points out that there are opportunities in educating consumers about the diversity of styles and flavors that craft beer can offer, helping to develop a broader and more sophisticated market.

Despite these obstacles, Peruvian craft brewers continue to stand out, offering consumers a distinctive and authentic alternative in a market largely dominated by mass-produced beers. Initiatives such as the Inka Beer Cup help bring the public closer to the creativity and variety of local brewers, whose work is gaining recognition both nationally and internationally.

Here is the list of the 2025 winners:

Best Peruvian Brewery

Best of Show

• Best Peruvian Beer: PRAGA by Almirante Brewing
• Second Best Peruvian Beer: QUITA ESTRÉS by Two Broders
• Third Best Peruvian Beer: KONTIKI by Almirante Brewing

Category: International, Standard, Czech, Pale Lager, Local Styles

• Gold: PRAGA – Czech Pale Lager – Almirante Brewing
• Silver: HEY CUZZY – New Zealand Pilsner – Kimera Brewing Co
• Bronze: CALM BUDDHA – American Lager – Trium Brewery

Category: Pale American Ale and Amber American Beer

• Gold: KONTIKI – American Pale Ale – Almirante Brewing
• Silver: LIFA PALE ALE – American Pale Ale – Vagabundos

Category: Amber Malty, Amber Bitter, Strong European Lager

• Silver: BIEN VIENNA! – Vienna Lager – Vagabundos

Category: Belgian and Strong Belgian Ale, German Wheat Beer

• Gold: QUITA ESTRÉS – Weissbier – Two Broders
• Silver: LA MADURITA – Belgian Pale Ale – Llaqta Brewing Company
• Bronze: LA SUERTUDA – Saison – Llaqta Brewing Company

Category: Strong British and American Ale, Stout

• Bronze: TORO BRAVO – American Strong Ale – 3 Postales

Category: American IPA and Specialty IPA

• Gold: BARBA VERDE – American IPA – Almirante Brewing
• Silver: KANTOR – American IPA – Jack Vled
• Bronze: JUICE BOX – Hazy IPA – Almirante Brewing

Category: Monastic Ale

• Bronze: LIMA 1 QUAD – Belgian Dark Strong Ale – Lima 1

Category: Fruit Beer, Specialty Beer, Experimental Beer

• Gold: SANTA – Experimental Beer – Ucuchá

Category: Spice Beer

• Gold: CHA LAGER – Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer – Los Kion
• Silver: FLOR DE SAISON – Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer – Delia Birra
• Bronze: BROWN PARADISE – Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer – 3 Postales in collaboration with 7 Vidas

Category: Mead and Cider

• Gold: HEIMDALL MARACUYA – Melomel – Midgard Company
• Silver: HEIMDALL CYSER MEAD – Cyser – Midgard Company
• Bronze: CACAO & ROBLE – Spice, Herb or Vegetable Mead – Pagana Hidromiel