Beer in Chile

[2] There is long tradition of brewing a drink called chicha[3] that might be classified as corn beer by modern standards, though is not considered as such in South America.

Chicha was originally brewed with corn, influenced by the Andean cultures of northern Chile and Peru, but during colonial times apple and grape chicha started to be brewed across the country as a cheaper alternative to wine.

[4] With the arrival of German immigrants to southern Chile around 1850, massive beer production began.

[5][6] The introduction of beer is credited for causing a decline in chicha production in areas that traditionally supplied Valdivia with that drink such as Máfil.

Beer consumption and culture then spread across the country from cities with high immigrant populations such as Valdivia and Valparaíso.

[11][clarification needed] Part of the so-called premium sector, craft beers have gained ground in recent years,[12] and today there are more than 300 micro-breweries in Chile.