There’s something about sipping a cold, handcrafted, Monteverde craft beer after a long hike through our region’s transitional and cloud forests: It achieves that uncommon feeling of just right, especially when you know that beer is brewed just down the road from where you’re sipping it, using high-quality ingredients and pure, local mountain water.
At Ocotea Boutique Hotel, our Monteverde boutique hotel, we believe in celebrating what’s close to home. That’s why you’ll find Monteverde Brewing Company’s craft creations on our Monteverde Rooftop Bar & Cafeteria menu – a refreshing way to connect with the flavors, stories, and people of our region.
From the fermentation tanks of a small brewery just 2.9 kilometers away to your frosty glass on our open-air terrace, this is local beer with heart.
The Soul Behind the Suds: Meet the Brewer
Monteverde Brewing Company began with a passion for beer, a homebrew kit, and curiosity: After honing his skills in the Central Valley, Erick Bernardo Ramírez Fonseca brought his vision to Monteverde in 2019. The region’s pristine water, fresh climate, and vibrant community offered the perfect ingredients for something special.
The company's co-founder and co-owner, Erick is a brewer as much as he’s a storyteller, a quality enthusiast, and a champion of what makes Monteverde special. “Quality is our number one priority,” Erick says, “and that really makes a difference in our offerings.”
Indeed, this mindset guides every batch they brew, with a focus on small-scale precision and local connection. Monteverde’s ultra-soft water also plays a starring role. Of the four classic beer ingredients – water, malt, hops, and yeast – it’s the one sourced locally, and its purity allows Erick’s team to create a remarkably wide range of styles.
Some, like Murciélago, a smooth coffee stout, are crafted in partnership with nearby coffee farms. Others – like Mister Bee, a honey rye blond, pay homage to the surrounding forest’s pollinators and wildflowers.
The result? A lineup of craft beers that feel distinctly of this place. It’s thoughtfully brewed, full of flavor, and shaped by the cloud forest itself.
Brewing in the Clouds: What Makes It Monteverde
Craft beer is always a mix of science and soul. But here in Monteverde, nature plays an especially vital role.
According to Erick, and everyone who tries his beer, the region’s pristine spring water, drawn from high-altitude aquifers, is the foundation of every batch and brew. Soft and exceptionally clean, it allows the more delicate hops, malts, and adjuncts to shine.
Monteverde Brewing Co. also insists on keeping production small and hands-on, allowing for full control over quality and the ability to experiment with bold, tropical notes. In turn, you’ll find that many of their beers echo the landscape around you, bright, full of life, and unexpected.
From aromatic IPAs with hints of citrus and pine to velvety stouts that evoke roasted coffee and cacao, the variety reflects the biodiversity of the cloud forest itself.
What’s on Tap at Ocotea Boutique Hotel
You don’t need to leave the hotel to experience some of the best Monteverde craft beer.
At our rooftop bar and café, you’ll find a curated selection of Monteverde Brewing Company’s small-batch beers – thoughtfully chosen to showcase the richness and creativity of Costa Rica’s craft brewing scene. Each pour brings you closer to the local terroir – the essence of this place, captured in a taste – from the cloud forest water to the tropical notes in every sip.
Here are a few Monteverde-inspired favorites you might find on our menu:
- Quetzal Lager – Clean, light, and easy-drinking, this International Bay Lager is a refreshing introduction to Costa Rican craft beer – perfect after a day on the trails.
- Sirena Dorada – A golden ale with a delicate malt backbone and subtle fruitiness. Balanced, smooth, and crowd-pleasing.
- Mi Tata – A bold American IPA named in honor of the brewer’s grandfather. Expect pine and citrus hop notes with a sturdy malt base.
- Red Tapir – This red ale is full-bodied, toasty, and slightly sweet – ideal for cooler Monteverde evenings.
- El Rayado – An American Pale Ale with bright bitterness and a crisp finish, made for those who like their beer hoppy but approachable.
- Murciélago – Brewed with locally roasted coffee, this rich coffee stout is dark, smooth, and deeply satisfying – like Monteverde in a glass.
- Rotating Seasonals – You might also catch experimental brews like Kinkajou (a juicy Hazy IPA), Viejo Bravo (a big, bold Double IPA), or Expelliarmus (a zesty Sour IPA). Ask our bartender what’s currently pouring.
(Selections may vary seasonally; just ask our bartender what’s pouring this week.)
Why We Serve Monteverde Brewing Company
At Ocotea Boutique Hotel, every detail, from the art on the walls to the drinks behind the bar, is chosen with care. We prioritize locally made, thoughtfully crafted offerings because we believe they tell the truest story of Monteverde.
Serving Monteverde Brewing Company’s beers at our Monteverde boutique hotel is part of our broader commitment to the local economy, sustainable practices, and the rich cultural heritage of our cloud forest home. It’s also just a great beer. So whether you’re a longtime craft fan or trying your first IPA, we’re confident you’ll find something to enjoy in every glass.
Minutes Away, Fully Rooted in Place
Located just 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Ocotea Boutique Hotel, Monteverde Brewing Company is a community staple and a proud representative of the region’s growing food-and-drink scene.
In addition to ordering a few of their brews on our rooftop, we encourage you to swing by their brewpub. Welcoming curious sippers and seasoned connoisseurs alike, they offer a window into local life – and a chance to meet the team behind the beers. (Before visiting, feel free to check in with our front desk for recommendations or hours.)
Cheers to the Cloud Forest
A cold beer can be many things – refreshing, celebratory, comforting. But here in Monteverde and at Ocotea Boutique Hotel, it’s also a connection. A connection to the water, the ingredients, the people, and the place that make this region so unique.
You don’t need to leave the hotel to try it – ask our bartender for a local pour. Or enjoy it slowly, as you watch clouds roll through the canopy from the rooftop. Because sometimes, the best way to explore Monteverde is through your senses. And a good craft beer is a very fine place to start.
