Skol Beer: My Local Lager in St. Kitts & Nevis
Skol Beer isn’t always the first brew offered by those selling beer in Nevis. But if you ask me, it’s the satisfying and refreshing taste you should reach for when you find yourself here.
Carib vs Skol Beer
Ask around for the local beer in Nevis and just about everyone will give you the same answer – Carib.
While Carib is, indeed, produced in St. Kitts, we all know that its roots are really in Trinidad. It may taste a bit different (some say stronger) in St. Kitts & Nevis, probably owing to the islands’ very special natural water (more on that next week),. But a Carib is still a Trini beer if you ask me.
As is our wont here at Uncommon Caribbean we were looking for something a bit more unique to the local area when we visit Nevis. Enter Skol Beer, a light and tasty lager I first encountered on the third of my four days during my first visit to Nevis. Yeah, I almost missed it!
Those who know, know
Honestly, if you didn’t know to ask, you could easily visit Nevis several times without ever knowing that Skol even exists. There are no banners, placards, billboards, T-shirts, or any other forms of marketing for Skol Beer anywhere on the island. (I’m not sure if that’s also the case in St. Kitts as we just passed through there on our way to/from Nevis). This is in stark contrast to Carib, which is touted EVERYWHERE.
The roots of the discrepancy lie in the fact that Skol is still a relatively new entrant into the local beer market.
Oh, and get this, it’s also not 100% local. Skol is produced in St. Kitts & Nevis by Carib Brewery (St Kitts & Nevis) Limited under a licensing agreement with Skol International. What is Skol International? Here’s some background from Wikipedia:
- Skol is an international beer brand. Allied Breweries of the UK, Labatt of Canada, Pripps-Bryggerierna of Sweden, and Unibra of Belgium formed a new company called Skol International in 1964. Its aim was the creation of a worldwide beer brand, Skol lager, which could be licensed, manufactured, and marketed across the world.
This means that the Skol in St. Kitts & Nevis is a close cousin to the Brazilian beer Skol. Which is that nation’s most popular beer!
Skol Beer, my preferred Nevis lager
Will the production of Skol ever gain the same elite status in St. Kitts & Nevis? Who knows.
For me, right now, it’s my preferred choice of local beer in St. Kitts & Nevis. It can be yours too – just be sure to ask for it by name on your next visit or else you may never find it…
Skol!