Tours and Activities:

Kunstmann traditional beer brewing

In its own venue, the flavor of unique varieties comes together with the tasting of exquisite dishes, a very interesting museum, and the production process on full display.

Just a few minutes from Valdivia city centre, you can visit the Brewery, one of the traditional spots where you will find specialties that have already celebrated over 100 years in the City of the Rivers.

Upon arriving at the enormous building that houses this brewing complex, we entered the cozy restaurant with typical German architecture and decor; beer barrels, taps, and goblet glasses adorned its spacious halls.

A guide explained the house´s approach and invited us to taste their products, the museum, and the brewing room. We chose the dishes that would accompany the tasting of different types of craft beers. We first tried the bock, a dark beer. With its intense dark color and a strong roasted malt flavor, we immediately noticed its high alcohol content. This is achieved thanks to the balance between a high concentration of the initial wort and a prolonged rest at a low temperature. 

We were then served Torobayo ale, a high-fermentation beer with a fruity flavor. Of British origin, popular in Victorian times, its characteristic pale amber color is due to the use of blonde and caramel malt.

Next came the unfiltered, blonde Kunstmann Lager. A rawer beer, direct to your glass from maturation, naturally turbid. Last but not least, we tasted the Blonde Kunstmann, a low-fermentation beer (at about 10°C) using only blonde malt and fermenting at this low temperature for over a month. The brewery also offers special editions such as honey, blueberry, and wheat beers, expanding its range beyond the classics.

We then made our way to the museum and its collection of ancient brewing machines, jars, labels, and pools used in olden days. The history of beer in Valdivia dates back to the 19th century, when it was imported. It was in 1851 when Karl Anwandter, a German immigrant, founded his brewery. It was active until the 1960 earthquake, which destroyed it. Years later, the Kunstmann family revived the brewing tradition and, since 1991, has been promoting the brand, which is now internationally recognized. They also organize the annual Valdivia Beer Festival, one of the most popular events in southern Chile.

‘Kunstmann, our beer, is made in strict accordance with the Reinheitsgebot Purity Law adopted in 1516, which requires the use of only first quality ingredients and, most importantly, fresh, pristine water,’ we were assured.

The same guide showed us around the area where brew masters combine several types of malt, hops, barley, and yeast to make the different varieties. The pure groundwater is as irreplaceable as the original recipes.

For people who enjoy this non-distilled alcoholic beverage, Cervecería Kunstmann is a mandatory stop in Valdivia City. Added to the quality and tradition of its beer is the opportunity of a casual, friendly get-together at the restaurant with perfect food-beer pairing.

Kunstmann Brewery and Brewpub

Ruta T350 Nro 950. Valdivia, Chile

E-mail: sackunstamann@cervezakunstmann.com

Tel: +56 - 63 - 229 29 69

Contact

Patagonia Adventure Center

Los Castellanos s/n, (5090000) , Valdivia, XIV Región de los Ríos
Tel: +56 63-2282154

See also: Hotels in Valdivia and other accommodation venues