Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
after a couple is easier said than done. Remember, too, that until you become acclimatized,
high altitude magnifies both the effects of alcohol and the resulting hangover.
Beer
(
cerveza
) is available in shops, restaurants and bars almost everywhere, and Bolivians
consume it in large quantities, especially at fiestas. All the major cities have their own brew-
eries, producing German lager-style beers ofreasonable quality with astrength ofaroundfive
percent. Most beer still comes in returnable bottles, though cans are becoming more wide-
spread; a large 750ml bottle costs about Bs15. Paceña, produced in La Paz, is the most pop-
ular and widely available, followed by Huari, made by the same company but with a slightly
saltier taste. Taquiña from Cochabamba is also good, while Potosina, from Potosí, has a
stronger malt flavour; Ducal from Santa Cruz and Sureña from Sucre are less well thought of.
Most breweries also produce a dark, rather sweet, stout-like beer known as
malta
. On some
beer labels you'll see the word
tropicalizada
- this means it has been produced in the high-
lands but is more highly pressurized for consumption at lower altitudes where the air pres-
sure is higher: if opened at altitude it will spray all over the place. More expensive
imported
beers
are available only in larger cities.
Although not widely consumed, Bolivia also produces a growing variety of
wines
(
vinos
).
Production is centred in the Tarija valley, home to the highest vineyards in the world, and
quality is improving all the time - the best labels are Concepción, Kohlberg and Aranjuez.
Imported wines from Chile and Argentina are also widely available and often cheaper, as
they're frequently smuggled across the border to avoid tax and duty.
When Bolivians really want to get drunk they turn to spirits, in particular a white grape
brandy called
singani
, produced in the Tarija valley. The more expensive high-grade
singanis
are very good, but most are pretty rough. It's usually drunk mixed with Sprite or Seven-Up, a
fast-acting combination known as
Chufflay
. Those who can't afford
singani
(which includes
most campesinos and miners) turn to virtually pure industrial
alcohol potable
, sold in large
metal cans. Consumed at rural fiestas and used to make offerings to mountain spirits and oth-
er supernatural beings, this is fearsome stuff, and you drink it at your peril.
FIESTAS
Bolivia enjoys a huge number of national, regional and local fiestas. These are taken
very seriously, often involving lengthy preparations and substantial expense; the largest
feature thousands of costumed dancers, massed brass bands and plenty of food and
drink. You should definitely try to catch a fiesta at some point during your visit, as they
are amongst the most vibrant and colourful spectacles Bolivia has to offer, and at the
heart of the country's culture.
