ÖlBröder Cerveza Artesanal: Craft Brewery Stories from Colombia

What do you get when you put two brothers, a dog, and beer together? Sounds like a recipe for a story in the making. And that is exactly how ÖlBröder Cerveza Artesanal in Medellín, Colombia, was crafted. From two brothers with a passion for a challenge, a desire to create beer with a Colombian flair, and a story behind all that they brew. This is one story behind the many craft breweries in Medellín, Colombia

Finding Craft Breweries in Medellín, Colombia

Visiting Medellín with a goal of experiencing a different culture than the U.S., we also knew we wanted to seek out the craft beer scene. Not knowing where to start, we did what any traveler does in the 21st century - googled it. And after finding some widely known and widely distributed breweries - but not so widely considered cervecería artesanals (craft breweries), we finally made it to ÖlBröder, an intimate craft brewery in the heart of Medellín. While they may not have an impressive wall of taps, what they do have is uniquely crafted brews, many using local ingredients, and all solid in their styles.

Meet Julian from ÖlBröder Cerveza Artesanal

From the moment we walked into ÖlBröder, we knew we wanted to find out more. So when we got the chance to sit down with Julian, one of the brothers, we didn't hesitate. Former engineer and teacher, Julian now gets to bring both of those careers back to the forefront as a brewer. And his passion for all of the above is evidenced in the beer he brews, the joy he gets out of educating his customers, and the ambiance of his community-minded taproom.

Ironically, though, when he first started brewing, Julian didn't even like beer. But he took on the personal challenge of brewing because he loved the process, consequently falling in love with the process, and ultimately, the beer.

Gone to the Dogs at ÖlBröder Cerveza Artesanal

Every brewery needs a brewery dog, and ÖlBröder is no different. Meet Duna, the third brother. Found wandering the streets as a puppy, this little black dog needed a home, and Julian obliged. While she has since crossed the Rainbow Bridge, her memory lives on through the artwork in the taproom and the beer we drink while conversing and laughing with friends. Every beer name has a story, and these beer names have all gone to the dogs.

Take a trip with us to Medellín's craft breweries, and listen in as we talk to Julian all about the story behind his brewery, behind the name, and behind the beers. You'll learn a bit about how breweries function in Colombia, and how Julian and his brother create a community that is distinctly Colombian, welcoming in locals, tourists, ex-pats, and digital nomads - bringing them all together with tastings, language meet-ups, music, and more. This is craft beer in Medellín, Colombia. 

For the complete set of show notes, including connections, images, and the beer we drank, click here.

Relevant Links:

To connect with ÖlBröder, click here.

To learn more and register for Camp Carpe Diem, click here.

To learn more about visiting Medellín, click here.

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