Cusqueña

Tasting Notes

This is a clean, lightly malty lager with a faint grain sweetness and a mild hop presence that leans herbal rather than bitter. The body is light to medium, with a smooth, relatively neutral palate that lets the subtle cereal character come through. The finish is dry and short, without much lingering bitterness or aftertaste. As a Euro Pale Lager, it's built for broad drinkability rather than complexity.

About the Brewery

Cusqueña is a Peruvian beer brand named after Cusco, the historic Andean city near Machu Picchu, and is produced by Backus & Johnston, Peru's dominant brewing group now owned by AB InBev. The brand leans heavily on its Andean heritage and the use of high-altitude Peruvian water in its marketing. It's one of the most widely exported South American lagers and is commonly found outside Peru in Latin-focused restaurants and import sections.

Food Pairings

Ceviche is a natural match since the beer's neutral, clean profile doesn't compete with the acidity of the leche de tigre marinade. Grilled chicken or roasted pork work well because the light malt body complements mild savory flavors without overpowering them. Fried foods like calamari or papas fritas benefit from the dry finish cutting through fat. Mild white fish tacos pair easily since neither the food nor the beer demands much from the other, letting simple seasoning carry the dish.

Style Guide

Euro Pale Lager is a broad, commercially dominant category defined by light body, low to moderate bitterness, and a clean malt profile with minimal hop character beyond a faint herbal or floral note. ABVs typically fall between 4.5% and 5.5%, and the style prioritizes smoothness and accessibility over distinctiveness. It shares DNA with the American Adjunct Lager but tends to use more barley malt and less corn or rice, resulting in a slightly fuller, more rounded base. The style is produced across Europe, Latin America, and Asia and represents the global template for mainstream commercial beer.