Puerto Rican Beer 2026: Medalla, Magna and the Craft Scene

Medalla Light: the unofficial national beer

Walk into any colmado (corner store), gas station, or beachside chinchorro in Puerto Rico, and Medalla Light will be the dominant beer in the cooler. Brewed by Cerveceria India in Mayaguez since 1937, Medalla Light is a 4.2% pale lager designed for tropical drinking — light body, crisp finish, easy on the palate in 30°C heat.

The brand is so embedded in Puerto Rican culture that "una Medalla" is the default order at most casual establishments. Variants include Medalla Lite (lighter still, 3.5% ABV) and limited releases like Medalla Mango for summer.

Major commercial brands

• Medalla Light: the iconic 4.2% pale lager. Available everywhere.
• Magna: also from Cerveceria India. A 5.0% pale lager — slightly more body than Medalla.
• Coqui: a craft-style lager from Cerveceria India, named after the Puerto Rican tree frog.
• Heineken (locally brewed): Heineken operates a brewery in Puerto Rico — the local version is fresher than imported.
• Corona: imported from Mexico, very popular as a beach beer.
• Presidente: from the Dominican Republic, popular at Caribbean-themed bars.

The Puerto Rican craft scene

Since the early 2010s, Puerto Rico has developed a small but lively craft beer scene. Notable breweries:

• Old Harbor Brewery (Old San Juan): the most prominent craft brewery, open as a brewpub. Their Coqui and IPA are island favorites.
• Cervecera del Norte (Carolina): award-winning craft brewery. Their hibiscus saison is unique.
• Boricua Brewing (Aguadilla): west coast craft brewery, beach-friendly atmosphere.
• Ocean Lab Brewing (Hatillo): small batch brewery focused on tropical fruit ales.
• Casa Bavaria (Morovis): German-style brewery in the highlands. Bavarian-style beers brewed with Puerto Rican mountain water.

Where to drink in San Juan

• Old San Juan: Old Harbor Brewery (taproom), El Patio de Sam, La Factoria (cocktails), El Convento Hotel terrace.
• Condado: Stella Mestre, Mr. Black, beach hotel bars.
• Santurce: the "hipster" barrio with craft cocktail bars and beer-focused spots.
• Loiza Street (San Juan): craft beer bars and gastropubs.
• El Yunque: on the way to or from the rainforest, roadside chinchorros sell ice-cold Medalla.

Practical tips

• Drinking age: 18 in Puerto Rico (different from US mainland’s 21).
• Beach drinking: generally permitted on most beaches. Glass bottles often restricted in favor of cans.
• Drink-driving limit: 0.08% BAC (US standard).
• Prices: Medalla in a colmado: $2-4. In a restaurant: $5-8. Craft beer at a brewpub: $7-12.
• Currency: US dollar (Puerto Rico is a US territory).
• Sundays: beer sales generally permitted, though some municipalities have time restrictions.

Beyond beer: Puerto Rican drinks

• Bacardi rum: founded in Cuba, but the Bacardi headquarters is in Catano, Puerto Rico — with the famous Casa Bacardi visitor center.
• Don Q rum: the local Puerto Rican rum that many consider superior to Bacardi for cocktails.
• Pina Colada: invented in San Juan. Caribe Hilton and Barrachina both claim the honor.
• Mojito: Cuban-Puerto Rican classic, abundant on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular beer in Puerto Rico?

Medalla Light is the iconic Puerto Rican beer — a 4.2% pale lager brewed by Cerveceria India in Mayaguez since 1937. It dominates colmados, gas stations, and beachside bars across the island.

What is Medalla Light?

Medalla Light is a Puerto Rican pale lager (4.2% ABV) brewed by Cerveceria India. Its name means “Medal Light” — designed for tropical drinking, light body and crisp finish, perfect for 30°C beach weather.

Are there craft breweries in Puerto Rico?

Yes — Old Harbor Brewery (Old San Juan), Cervecera del Norte, Boricua Brewing (Aguadilla), Ocean Lab Brewing, and Casa Bavaria. The scene has grown rapidly since the early 2010s.

What is the drinking age in Puerto Rico?

The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18 — different from the US mainland’s 21. Despite being a US territory, Puerto Rico maintains its own age limit.

How much does beer cost in Puerto Rico?

Medalla in a colmado: $2-4. Restaurant or beachside bar: $5-8. Craft beer at a brewpub: $7-12. Prices comparable to mainland US Caribbean rates.

Can I drink beer on Puerto Rican beaches?

Generally yes — beach drinking is legal on most beaches. Cans are preferred over glass bottles, which are restricted in many beach areas.

See also

• Legal drinking age in Puerto Rico
• Drinking age in Dominican Republic