About us
Our history
Selene Loayza and Marcelo Herrera
They brewed the first beer in the Galapagos in 2012 as HomeBrewers. Home brewers.
In that year we started the path to this project. Our family and friends who tried our first "experiments" encouraged us to formalize the project, since they liked the idea of having a beer made 100% in Galapagos.
After several years in which we had several government obstacles, such as requesting permits for the entry of raw materials such as hops (an essential element for brewing beer), we delayed more than 1 year in obtaining these permits and thanks to this effort, other producers of beer can carry out their work without problem and we generate a productive sector.
We also improved our recipes and went from tamaleras and mills borrowed by our mothers to better equipped equipment.
In 2015 we presented our product to the community, its name was “La Galapagueña”, the first craft beer from Galapagos.
The objective of this family business is to generate a sustainable and ecological local economy.
Our philosophy is to minimize the environmental impact that is produced by bringing products from the Ecuadorian continent and with this venture we are achieving it.
Furthermore, we try not to produce garbage. Reusing all the water we use to make beer and also reusing the bottles.
The barley bagasse is delivered to farms that use it as food for animals. With this we also help small local farms.
In 2017 we opened a nano brewery with the help of David Romero who is currently the production manager.
We rented a small place where they produced beer and sold it in the same place.
The first BrewPub in Galapagos “Santa Cruz Brewery” was born here
In 2018, the Microbrewery was built in this place, we are in the Thomas de Berlanga sector, a transition area where the climate is pleasant and good for brewing beer and we went from brewing 3 styles to more than 15. Always faithful to using seasonal products and fruits.
This is how beers with Passion Fruit and Guava were born
Beer with Orange
Beer with watermelon
Beer with Coffee
Beer with Pumpkin
Beer with Coconut
Beer with Mango
And also a beer that has sea salt and organic coffee cherries.
In 2018 we innovated our service and opened the largest RESTOPub in front of the Pelican Bay pier and we are very proud to have created a beer culture in Galapagos and that this venture that was born a few years ago is generating so much interest.
In 2019 we were recognized as "The best artisan product", an award received by the National Board of Artisans.
In 2019 we were recognized as one of the best 5 tourism projects, a recognition given by the Ministry of Tourism. This award refers to our project "Cerveceria Vivencia Santa Cruz", a service developed so that national and foreign tourists can get to know our brewing plant. Learn about our history and be part of the production process.
In 2020 we were awarded by TripAdvisor with the “travelers Choice” recognition.
Currently and after having been able to overcome the pandemic.
In the month of August 2022 we participated in the Middle of the World Beer Cup and competed with more than 150 breweries in Latin America and won 2 beer medals.
With our Volcánica beer that is brewed with sea salt and organic coffee cherries from Galapagos and our orange beer also from Galapagos, these recognitions show that here in Galapagos we can produce quality products.
In 2023 we created a blonde beer with additions of Galapagos coffee, obtaining 2 medals in cups in Ecuador and an international medal in Peru.
We also got 2 additional medals in the half world cup. This year was an important one for our brewery, achieving 5 beer medals for Galapagos.
In 2024 we were recognized with 2 gold medals in the Mitad del Mundo national competition and this year. We achieved our first international gold medal in the Guaraní Cup in Paraguay. We also received 1 silver and 1 bronze medal in the Uruguay Cup, 2 silver medals in Peru
We believe that we can be an example for future entrepreneurs and that they see that a dream can become a reality. Creating products that are an example of a productive Galápagosño.
Thank you for visiting us and supporting local businesses.
Mission
Creating the highest quality craft beers that celebrate brewing tradition, inspire moments of connection, and promote pride in our local culture.
Vision
To be recognized as a benchmark in the beer world, bringing the experience of Santa Cruz Brewery to every corner, standing out for our passion, innovation and commitment to excellence.
by Firulais Studio
