I love it, a couple that has a beer and travel blog!! Here Robbie Hickey visits La Rana Dorada in Casco Viejo where they check out the micro brews. I can attest that the Blanche is excellent and I get it every time I visit Mango restaurant here in Boquete.
We took a self-guided walking tour through the Casco Viejo district and we were amazed by the efforts of Panama to restore the UNESCO Heritage Site. This was evident through many major construction projects in the narrow streets, mainly to restore the centuries old buildings that are heading towards ancient ruin status. Modern “Americanized” hotels, bright white apartment complexes decorated with brawny pillars and wrought iron balconies, all in the mix with crumbling ruins and delapitated homes with futures unknown, considering the aggressive efforts of the country to make it more appealing to visitors.
Kristen and I aren’t great “tourists”. After an hour of walking we had enough. The buildings and churches were all starting to look the same, the market wares were now just a sea of bright colors on display tables and for the 74th time, “No, we don’t want a taxi!” It was time to plant ourselves on a leather-topped stool at La Rana Dorada.
They have five different brews on tap – premium pilsner, pale ale, belgian white, porter and a limited edition IPA. All of which were brought to our table in an attractive-looking, gratis flight upon our arrival. Kristen had no doubts about her primero order…it was going to be a Belgian white. Since Central America’s commercialized selection consists of tasteless lagers and pilsners I’ve been longing for a beer that would make my taste buds throb, …”I’ll take the porter.”
A couple minutes later our conversation was pleasantly interrupted by the sound of two heavy pint glasses pitching on our wooden table. The handsome looking porter was a rich dark brown with a foamy, cappucino-like head. Upon first gulp I was greeted with a lively, roasted malt flavor characterisitic of many craft porters. My taste buds celebrated!
Kristen’s Belgian white was a cloudy, golden yellow with a light, fizzy head. The beer was very refreshing on a hot, humid day and what it lacked in a traditional citrus finish was replaced by a subtle pineapple flavor.
After a 10,900km journey through 9 countries, from the eastern-most point in North America to the end of the Panamerican Highway in Panama, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate.
Salud!
Robbie
For more photos from Robbie and Kristen’s blog, visit adventureontap.org