Local Aruban Beers: What to Drink in Aruba

If you’re a drinker, you’re in luck! There are a few popular local beers in Aruba – and they’re delicious! In this article, you’ll learn all about the Aruban beers from what they are to where to get them for cheap, and additional information that will help make your days of drinking in the sun the best they can be.

We’ll also touch on the few breweries in Aruba and your duty free allowances to bring alcohol with you to Aruba. That’s right – there is a lot to learn for the beer drinkers of the world who are descending on Aruba… and we’ve got all the answers for you right here!

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Aruba’s Local Beers

Once you’ve arrived, it won’t take long to find out there are only three popular local beers in Aruba. All three of these beers are actually brewed by Balashi Brewery, the national brewery of Aruba.

1. Balashi (Pilsner)

5.0% alcohol/volume

The signature beer brew of Aruba is Balashi. It’s a pilsner beer that is described by the brewer as “The ideal balance of hops, malty sweetness, and toasted grain.” You’ll find Balashi available around the island in 8 oz. returnable bottles, 12 oz. cans, and on draft.

First brewed in 1998, Balashi bas also been awarded a couple different awards throughout the years:

• 2001: Gold medal in Brussels for the Monde Selection

• 2004: Grand Gold medal in Brussels for the Monde Selection

Fun Fact: “Balashi” actually translates to “water” in the local Papiamento language.

2. Chill (Pale Lager)

5.0% alcohol/volume

Another popular Aruba beer is Chill. It’s also brewed by Balashi Brewing and is described as “A smooth, light, refreshing island beer.” It’s often considered the best beach beer in Aruba, and you’ll find it readily available around the island in 8 oz. returnable bottles, 12 oz. cans, and on draft.

This pale lager has been around since 2011 and was awarded the ITQI Superior Taste Award in 2013.

3. Magic Mango (Aruban Pale Ale)

5.0% alcohol/volume

Last of the local Aruba beers is Magic Mango, which was first brewed in 2020. This craft beer is also brewed by Balashi and is described as “An Aruban Pale Ale with the mild sweetness of fresh island mangos.” It’s a great option for those looking for a beer with a bit more flavor. You’ll find it is also widely available around the island in 8 oz. returnable bottles, 12 oz. cans, and on tap.

4. Bonus: Magic Orange (Hazy Aruban Pale Ale)

5.0% alcohol/volume

If you keep your eyes open, you may be able to find Magic Orange by Balashi Brewing. This is the second brew added to the Magic family and is not yet as widely available on the island. Due to this, I’d consider it more of a “Bonus” beer as it’s not yet one of the main Aruban beers. That being said, it offers a “Crisp zest of bright citrus aromas” and is worth a try if you do stumble upon it!

Local Breweries in Aruba

While there are a few key beers on tap in Aruba, you won’t find many breweries around the island. In fact, there’s really only two. One you can visit for drinks and one you can taste around the island.

Fireson Brewing

Location: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 230, Noord, Aruba
Hours: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 11 pm; Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 5 pm – 12 am

Fireson Brewing is the only craft brewery in Aruba. This makes it a must-visit for beer drinkers! They typically have one to three different beers on tap at a time, but sometimes they sell out completely. You can also order local beers, cocktails, wine, and food at Fireson Brewing.

Depending when you go, you may find an IPA, Pale Ale, Blonde Ale, Dry Irish Stout, Kolsch, Oatmeal Stout, Double IPA, or Belgium Saison available. You just have to stop by and find out for yourself!

Balashi Brewing

Location: Balashi 62, Oranjestad, Aruba

Considered the flagship brewery of Aruba, Balashi Brewing is currently closed for tours and visits. Fortunately, they are the main distributor of beer on the island, so you’ll still be able to try their popular beers in Aruba.

All about Drinking Beer in Aruba

Going on vacation means letting loose! For some, this means having an ice cold beer on the beach (which is legal in Aruba by the way!). If you’re looking to enjoy some cold beers in Aruba, this information can help you plan ahead.

Cost of Beer in Aruba

Beer is known for being a bit expensive in Aruba. This is due to it being an island and many things being imported combined with the high alcohol taxes. To help you prepare before you go… let’s talk about the prices so you can appropriately budget for your trip to Aruba.

• 24 bottles of Chill at the grocery in Aruba: 75.99 AWG (~$42)
• 24 bottles of Balashi at the Aruba grocery store: 69.89 AWG (~$38)
• 12 cans of Chill at the grocery in Aruba: 49.99 AWG (~$28)
• 12 cans of Balashi at the Aruba grocery: 47.69 AWG (~$27)
• 6 bottles of Balashi in the Aruba grocery: 18.29 AWG (~$10)
• 1 can of Chill from the Aruba grocery store: 4.39 AWG (~$2.40)
• 1 can of Balashi at Aruba grocery: 4.19 AWG (~$2.30)
• 1 bottle of Chill at Aruba grocery: 3.49 AWG (~$2)
• 1 bottle of Balashi at grocery in Aruba: 3.49 AWG (~$2)
• 1 Balashi or Chill beer at a bar: ~$8

While you might think local beers are expensive, imported beer prices are higher. Here is a sampling – of course, prices are subject to change. To find the current prices, you can visit Super Food Plaza online.

• 24 cans (12 oz.) of Coors Light in Aruba: 128.39 AWG (~$70)
• 24 bottles (12 oz.) of Michelob Ultra Superior in Aruba: 106.49 AWG (~$60)
• 24 cans (12 oz.) of Bud Light in Aruba: 102.89 AWG (~$57)
• 24 bottles (7 oz.) of Coronita Extra in Aruba: 71.89 AWG (~$40)
• 12 cans (12 oz.) of Miller Light in Aruba: 58.39 AWG (~$32)
• 6 bottles (12 oz.) of Coors Light in Aruba: 33.59 AWG (~$19)
• 6 bottles (12 oz.) of Michelob Ultra Light in Aruba: 30.29 AWG (~$17)
• 6 bottles (12 oz.) of Miller Lite in Aruba: 29.19 AWG (~$16)
• 6 bottles (12 oz.) of Bud Light in Aruba: 26.99 AWG (~$15)
• 6 bottles (12 oz.) of Budweiser in Aruba: 25.89 AWG (~$14)
• 6 bottles (7 oz.) of Coronita Extra in Aruba: 21.59 AWG (~$12)

Size of the Beers in Aruba

Something that might surprise you is that Aruba has baby beers! Okay, not all the beers are small, but the bottles in particular are smaller than in the United States.

Cans of beer in Aruba are typically 355 ml or 12 ounces. This is actually the same as most U.S. beers. Bottles of beer in Aruba, on the other hand, are generally 22 cl or 7.4 ounces. In the U.S. they are typically 355 ml or 12 ounces.

Why are they smaller? The main reason I’ve heard is just that 12 ounces are more likely to get warm before you finish the drink due to the weather in Aruba being so warm! At just 7 – 8 ounces, you’ll have an ice cold beer every time!

Drinking Age in Aruba

The legal drinking age in Aruba is 18 years old. That being said, there are very few places that ID in Aruba, so it is possible for people to drink under age. While you can do this likely without getting caught, I personally recommend following Aruba’s legal drinking age!

Open Container Laws in Aruba

Aruba does not have open container laws. This means you can enjoy an ice cold beer or mixed drink along the streets and on the beaches of Aruba! Just make sure to dispose of all beer cans and beer bottles properly. Littering is illegal and actually enforced. Don’t ruin your holiday by leaving your bottles and cans strewn about!

Drinking on the Beaches in Aruba

As there is no open container law, you can drink on the beaches in Aruba. Plan to take cans instead of bottles, as some beaches do actually ban bottles due to the risk of broken glass on the beaches. And, remember to dispose of your cans properly to keep Aruba beautiful! Well, and to stay out of trouble with the police who enforce littering laws.

How to Save Money on Beer in Aruba

Drinking is expensive in Aruba. This includes beer, even the local beers. However, there are a few ways to get cheaper beers in Aruba. Let’s dive into the many ways to enjoy beer and how to make it more affordable.

1. Most expensive option: Buy beer one at a time at bars around the island.

2. Next most expensive option: Buy beer during happy hours at the bars in Aruba. You may find them 2 for 1!

3. Middle of the road cost: Buy beer at the grocery stores in Aruba, like Superfood or Ling & Sons Food Mart. Pricesmart actually has the best prices on the island, but it requires a membership to access.

4. Cheaper option: Go to the Balashi carry out stores. These carry out stores in Aruba are actually through Tropical Bottling Company, a partner of Balashi Brewing. They will get you a better price than even the grocery stores around Aruba.

5. Cheapest option: Bring drinks with you from home. Just make sure to follow the entry requirement limits for Aruba: 2.25 liters of wine, 3 liters of beer, or 1 liter of liquor per visitor over the age of 19.

Locations of Balashi Carry Outs

For the cheapest beer in Aruba, visit one of Tropical Bottling Company’s two carry out locations. They’ve partnered with Balashi Brewing to do their bottling and you’re able to get the beer directly from the source. This means you’re getting it at a lower cost than buying it at the local grocery stores!

Other Options to Save Money on Beer in Aruba

If you are concerned about the cost of beer in Aruba, you have a few other options you can work with to save money. The best one? Take advantage of your duty free limits! This includes 2.25 liters of wine, 3 liters of beer, or 1 liter of liquor per visitor over the age of 19. To do so, you can opt for one of these options

• Pack a hard sided suitcase from home filled with your limit of beer, wine, or liquor.

• Stop at the Duty Free shop in the airport before you leave the United States or where ever you are traveling from. It will be cheaper there than on the island.

• Buy a bottle of liquor from Duty Free in the Aruba airport.

Another option is to stay at an all-inclusive resort and get all your drinks included with your stay. There are also all-inclusive tour options around the island like to De Palm Island. This would allow you to have a couple bigger drinking days without breaking the bank!