St. Maarten Brewery & Beer Tours

I more than enjoyed my time at Caribbean Brewing Company with our wonderful host, Sunil. We came to learn more about how the company started and what led to the tasty craft beer we were drinking. After many beers (they are, by the way, unlimited), we went down to the tank to get a closer look at all the equipment and had the opportunity to drink directly from the source, all while learning more about the process of making beer. Would recommend this tour to all beer lovers.

I would like to start this review by saying that my husband and I frequently visit breweries and winieries while on vacation. We had a certain expectation of what the tour would be like, a brief introduction to the formation of the company, tour of the facility, tasting room with a detailed explanation of the different types of beer. That's what we excepted...what occurred is this... We drove to a building with no front door. You have to climb metal steps that are kinda hanging on up to a door with a doorbell and a phone number. There is garbage, broken glass all around the perimeter. No one answered the doorbell, we called the number and a guy showed up to let us into the building in around 10 minutes. He started off by saying it was off season and we should have called ahead first The brewery was small, non operational, dark, hot. He flicked on a few lights, not many, we went through a n office filled with promotional shirts then up a hot wooden staircase to another office slash tasting room...oh boyyyy. Sunil, the owner, told me he'd tell us his "remarkable journey" to becoming a brewery owner - while we sat at a table drinking beer. He went over to the beer tap and poured us to foamy beers...ohhhh nooooo....then he went on and on and onnnn...about his many business ventures and how through connections he decided to open up a brewery. No Love of beer, brewing experience, just hey ...do you guys know how many tourists are coming here, and there's no local beer! Sunil, said sorry that the tasting room had not been cleaned up from the last tasting. I noticed that the floor was dirty, there were jars of grains on the counter. When I needed the washroom I had to go down a dark hot staircase to the washroom and back upstairs again. In all, we had four or five glasses of beer in total. The beer is good, nothing out of the ordinary. I'm guessing he REALLY PRIORITIZES cruise excursions...so perhaps if a large number of guests come over you get a more polished presentation. As for us...it was over an hour of listening to Sunil's business ramblings. If you love beer, and appreciate the craft of beer making...this tour is not for you. If you want to sit at a table, and listen to a guy brag about his businesses on the island, and drink beer...there you have it.

We had a great time at the Brewery, and later at The Dutch Blonde Beach Bar. The tour comes with a story and unlimited tastings. The staff is engaging and the beer is very good!