The Breweries of Blumenau and Pomerod, Cities in Santa Catarina, Rise to Prominence

09/15/2017 - 11h36

The neighboring cities of Blumenau and Pomerode, in the Vale do Itajaí (Santa Catarina), are merely 30 kilometers apart from one another. But not only do they share a common geography: they also maintain a Germanic culture, which resulted from German immigration that began in the early 19th century.

The cities, which are marked by their half-timbered architecture, an inordinate number of blondes and authentic clothes and foods (sausages, pork knuckles and roasted stuffed duck prevail), are reminiscent of European villages.

But those aren't the only traditions that were passed down from generation to generation: their keen taste for beer has been around for over a century - the first brewery in Blumenau was opened in 1860.

The beer museum is home to the beer taps and beer mugs that were used during the first few editions of the Brazilian Oktoberfest, an event that started taking place in 1984. The beer fest, which is based on the Munich fest in Germany, is the most popular event in Blumenau.

In 2016, more than 500 thousand people showed up, and they consumed a total of 660 thousand liters of beer. The 2017 edition will take place between October 4th and October 22nd (tickets can be purchased at oktoberfestblumenau.com.br).

Vila Germânica, which is where the Oktoberfest is hosted, is open all year round. It is also home to the Bier Vila bar, which sells over 400 brands of beer. One of the walls in the bar has a display of 30 faucets, each of which corresponds to a different kind of draft beer.

The Estação Eisenbahn bar produces its own beers in a brewery right next door (admission is R$ 10 per person, or approximately US$ 3). The bar has a selection of at least 12 different kinds of beer.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

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	Lucas Sampaio/Folhapress
	The cities of Blumenau and Pomerode maintain a Germanic culture