It is a topic of much debate that Presidente beer tastes different in USA than it does in Dominican Republic. It is true that if you do drink a Presidente outside of DR it tastes different. Maybe because of the temperature it is served on the island. It is as close to freezing as it can get. People say the alcohol content in the beer in USA is less. You can get a buzz faster on the Dominican served beer, but this is really not true.
The only real difference between exported and local Presidente is the bottle and the label. The beer inside the bottle is the same. There have been many tests conducted by Presidente themselves and it seems that the difference in taste is all psychological. Whatever is the reason and by whatever name you call it, ( bien fria or vestida de novia), an ice cold beer tastes great in Dominican Republic. Nothing like it in all the world.
You can see people sitting at an outside table at a restaurant consuming. In a park there is imbibing. In a Colmado there is usually always someone holding on to a glass with a liquid inside. Doesn't really matter at what time of day, (many do drink a beer for lunch or on a break from work. The Dominicans handle this in a very specific manner) there is always someone enjoying.
Is it because of the hot temperature of the island and this is the most refreshing drink to cool the body? Is it because it is readily available? No one can be sure. But it is a for sure that a cold one sure does taste good on a hot day.
There is nothing quite like a cold Presidente. Bohemia, or Quisqueya Cerveza (for more information on the breweries and their start go to our
products beer/cerveza page). These cervezas/beers are also called by other names. When you want a Presidente usually all you need to ask for is a
bien fria, or just a cerveza. If you are not specific you will usually receive a Presidente ( this, the most popular of the Dominican brews, is said to represent the real spirit of the Dominican people, the soul, the joy of living in this lovely country). Beer is also refereed to as
"Vestida de Novia", called this for the layer of ice covering the bottle. Ask for
una fria which is a cold one. It is always nice to get a "grande", which is a larger bottle, and a few glasses. This way you can share with others. It's a great way to meet people when your having a beer in a Colmado by offering a glass to those around you.
When you buy a bottle of rum in the Colmado just ask for a styrofoam glass with ice in it. Get a mixer, 7-up or Coke and make your drink right there and enjoy. It is much cheaper than going to a bar to have a drink and can be much more fun. There are many varieties of Dominican Ron/Rum that you can enjoy. Dominican rum is very tasty and the amber ones can even be enjoyed without mixers.
It is said that the National pastime in Dominican Republic is drinking. Dominicans seem to drink alcohol and water equally. It is normal to see the plastic glass filled with beer and the styrofoam glass filled with ice and rum. It is very difficult to say which drink is the favorite among the people as they are equally consumed by all.
This is a video of a Barcelo Rum commercial made in the town of Nagua. (1:09 minutes)
Real Life and Times in the Dominican Republic
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This is a video of a Presidente Cerveza/ Beer commercial. Wouldn't you like a bien fria right now?!
