When we first arrived in Yucatán about 15 years ago, finding a good craft beer was nearly impossible. There were a few places around town where you could find a microbrew, but it was definitely a treasure hunt and was rarely on tap. Fast-forward to today, and thanks to both local passion and foreign talent, Mérida has transformed into a true craft beer destination.
Now you’ll find multiple local breweries, innovative taprooms, and shops carrying everything from German lagers to bold West Coast-style IPAs. As a Californian who has always had a soft spot for hoppy ales, I’m thrilled to say you can now get everything from crisp Belgian whites to full-bodied stouts—brewed right here in Yucatán or imported from around the world.
Here are some of our favorite spots for great craft beer in Mérida—plus what to drink, what to eat, and why you’ll love them.
Verdina Mérida — New Taproom Alert!
This cool newcomer is shaking up the beer scene with excellent local brews and hearty Canadian pub food. It’s the only place in town where you’ll find a Nitro Stout poured creamy and smooth, plus they use an authentic Czech lager faucet that gives beers that cloudy froth you usually only find in Europe. They also have specialty beers such as beer smoothies and hard aguas naturales. Here there is something for everyone!
What We Loved:
- ON Tap: The Nitro Stout, creamy That impossibly creamy head and the way it makes bitter coffee and dark chocolate flavors taste soft and luxurious. Honestly, it’s a beer you could fall in love with at first sip.
- The Beer smoothie–Imagine your favorite tropical smoothie got a little wild and spiked itself with beer—thick, juicy, and bursting with fruit flavor. It’s sweet, tangy, and basically sunshine in a glass with a buzz.
- Off the menu: The pork ribs are fall-off-the-bone fantastic.
- Onion rings served with both homemade mustard sauce and smoky chipotle dip (addictive!).
- Poutine fans, rejoice—you’ll find everything from Classic Poutine to a Yucatán twist with Relleno Negro.
Verdina is more than a taproom—it’s a stage for good vibes.
- 📅 Mondays| ⏰ 4–7 PM
✨ Spend $250+ on food & get FREE unlimited flavored hard seltzers. - 🍹 Happy Hour → Wed & Thu, 4–7 PM → 3×1 flavored hard seltzers
- Also check social media for special events, salsa nights and more fun at Verdina! They do weekly events!
- Calle 35 x 58 y 60
- 📅 Mondays| ⏰ 4–7 PM
Wed–Thu 4–7 PM (Happy Hour), Fri–Sat events
Social media: @verdinamerida
Hop 3 Experience – Taproom Spotlight
Hop 3 is the OG. Being one of Merida’s first tap rooms it kicked off Merida’s craft beer culture when it originally opened in 2017 at Casa Dominga, it’s now thriving inside Mercado Gourmet at Paseo 60. This is a spot to enjoy some of Mexico’s best beers on tap and chat it up at the inviting bar. It’s festive and fun with great music and you can meet new people!
✨ Why It’s a Must-Visit:
- 11 taps on rotation and over 60 brands and styles available.
- Weekly new arrivals from top local and national breweries.
- Get ready, because October = German beers | December = American beers –Check what they are bringing us during these seasons!
- Anthem: El Cervezo, El Mago de Oz (sing it by heart and you’ll earn a free beer!).
What We Love:
- On Tap: There are new beers on tap weekly so you always have a new surprise to try! I loved the Spring IPA and the Sour Maracuya was a fun and unique try!
- The boneless with habanero-mango sauce—spicy, sweet, and unforgettable.
- Burgers, veggie burgers, steak, and more—all perfect pairings with beer.
- The ambiance: Mercado Gourmet’s nightly live music makes this a go-to hangout.
Mon–Wed 2 PM–12 AM | Thu 2 PM–1 AM | Fri–Sat 2 PM–2 AM | Sun 2 PM–11 PM
Social media: @hop3merida
Beer Lover Taproom & Shop
With a proper bar setup: sturdy wood, polished shine, and stools that practically say, “happy hour isn’t ending anytime soon.” This craft beer gem in Mérida has one of the largest selections of imported beers! Beer Lover is a true paradise for aficionados with over 100 craft beers and the largest selection of Belgian beer in Mexico! Their weekly Club de Cata beer tasting nights are not to be missed! We tried Belgian brews (from bitter monastery ales to a mind-blowing Cantillon Gueuze, a gold standard of traditional Belgian lambic blend) as well as local brews from breweries such as Thodes Ale.
They are also going to be streaming the next NFL season all Sundays and a small tip… They have special promotions on Monday and Thursday!
What We Love:
- Our Favorite beer: The perfect mix of tart and sweet—like sipping cherries and cranberries with a velvety oak finish. It’s one of those beers that makes you want to slow down, savor, and maybe even raise a pinky while drinking
- From the Kitchen: Their Mini Boulets à la Liégeoise: bite-sized beef and pork meatballs in a sweet-and-sour beer sauce.
- Choripán with Argentinian chorizo, cheddar, and house chimichurri.
- Authentic Belgian fries, double-fried in the traditional way—crispy outside, fluffy inside.
- From the beer shop: A shop stocked with international bottles, complete with tasting notes so you can find your perfect beer.
Opens daily at 5 PM
Social media: @beerloversmid
Bacab Cervecería
Bacab is Mérida’s prettiest taproom—and a full working brewery. Located just off Santa Lucía, you can sip your beer while watching the massive brewing tanks in action. Their patio beer garden is breezy and fun, while the indoor air-conditioned bar is perfect for escaping the heat.
What We Love:
- Their SMASH Pale Ale—crisp, bold, and hoppy.
- House pizzas (recently revamped and delicious).
- Juicy burgers + live music under the stars on weekends.
- Ambiance: Open-air garden meets cozy, air-conditioned indoor retreat. Fridays and Saturdays feature live music from 9:30 PM.
Calle 56 x 53 y 55, Centro (Santa Lucía)
Tue–Thu 5 PM–12 AM | Fri–Sat 5 PM–1 AM | Sun 1 PM–7 PM
Social media: @cerveceriabacab
Shout Out: Thodes Brewery
We’ve been following Thodes Brewery since the beginning, and it’s been a joy watching him grow into one of Mérida’s true master brewers. You can now find his creations at Hop 3 Experience, Beer Lovers, and other taprooms around town.
Beers to Look Out For:
- 🍺 Shieldmaiden – Imperial Mexican Stout (9.2% ABV): A dark, bold stout brewed with piloncillo, cinnamon, and Mexican coffee.
- 🍯 Valkiria – Honey Blonde Ale (4.5% ABV): Light, floral, and refreshing with real honey.
- 🐺 Fenrir – Session IPA (4% ABV): Bursting with tropical citrus notes, easy to drink, and full of flavor.
Social media:@thodes.brewery
Final Sip
Mérida’s craft beer scene has grown from almost nothing into a vibrant community of passionate brewers, taprooms, and beer lovers. Whether you’re looking for an authentic Belgian-style tasting, a West Coast IPA, or a creative local stout inspired by café de olla, you’ll find it here.
So gather your beer crew, explore these spots, and discover just how exciting the craft beer world in Yucatán has become.
