Craft Beers and Traditional Drinks in Candelaria

Beer, corn, and coca, in one afternoon. That mix is exactly why I like this Candelaria experience, and it stays grounded in real local culture. I especially loved the chicha history lesson at Museum The Blessed Chichería, and I also enjoyed the craft beer + tejo finish at Casa Magola. One thing to consider: you’ll taste more than beer, including fermented corn drinks and other spirit-style pours, so go in with an open mind if you don’t drink often.

You meet in the classic heart of Bogotá, then move at a calm pace between stops that each take about 30 minutes. I like that the focus is not just on what you drink, but on what each drink means to Andean and indigenous life in and around Candelaria. With a maximum of 15 people and English-speaking guidance, it feels personal enough to ask questions without feeling rushed.

Key things I’d watch for before you go

• A drink tour with culture, not just alcohol: each stop connects tastings to local traditions and everyday life.
• Chicha gets the spotlight: you learn why it matters historically and culturally, not only how it tastes.
• Coca is explained in context: you hear why it shows up in diet and cosmology before tasting related beverages.
• You get a real local bar moment: at Doña Ceci you choose beers and listen to music where locals share after work or class.
• Tejo is the fun ending: Casa Magola adds the native game and makes it feel like more than a typical tasting.
• Small group means better pace: with up to 15 people, you spend time talking, not queuing.

Candelaria’s craft-drink route, timed for 4 pm

This tour runs about 3 hours, starting at 4:00 pm. The meeting point is Plazoleta Chorro de Quevedo (Cl. 12b #2-98, Antonio Nariño), and the tour returns there at the end, which makes it easier to keep your evening plans simple.

I like the small-group setup, capped at 15 travelers. It also helps that it’s offered in English, so you don’t have to rely on sketchy translation to understand what the tastings actually represent. You’ll also use a mobile ticket, and the start area is near public transportation, which is handy if you’re pairing this with other Candelaria sights.

Practical tip: wear comfortable shoes. Even though the stops are only about 30 minutes each, you’re still walking and standing while you taste. If you’re sensitive to alcohol, pace yourself early, because by the last couple of stops the variety can add up fast.

Museum The Blessed Chichería and the chicha you thought you knew

The first stop is Museum The Blessed Chichería, and the main goal is to understand chicha as one of Colombia’s oldest drinks. You don’t just taste, you learn about its history and why it matters for city and country culture.

This is a smart opener because chicha shows up again later in the tour. When you understand the basics at the start, every new pour feels more meaningful. Even if you’re not a “fermented drinks” person, you’ll at least know where it comes from and why people still treat it as more than a novelty.

The drawback here is time. You only get about 30 minutes, so the museum side moves at a good pace. If you love museums and could spend hours reading every label, you might wish this stop was longer, but the tradeoff is that you still cover the full tastings-and-context arc in one evening.

Café Galería Nuestra Herencia: art by Carlos Trilleras plus craft drinks

Next you head to Café Galería Nuestra Herencia, where the experience uses art and drinks together. You’ll discover how paintings by Carlos Trilleras connect to different territories and native indigenous communities, and then you’ll meet that theme again through craft drinks.

I like this stop because it changes the tone. Instead of focusing only on one drink, you’re seeing how people map identity through art, and then you experience craft drinks that reflect those regional influences. It helps you understand why Colombia’s drink culture is not one-size-fits-all.

In terms of what to expect, plan for a short, guided visit rather than a long gallery session. This is still very much a tasting tour, so the art is part of the storytelling, not a quiet, slow browse.

Embajada de la Coca Candelaria, why coca matters before you taste

At Embajada de la Coca Candelaria, the focus shifts to the Andean communities and the importance of the coca plant. You’ll learn why coca shows up in people’s diet and also in their cosmology, and then you taste different types of chicha plus other spirit-style drinks made with seeds and plants from the regions where people live.

This is one of the most interesting parts of the tour because it doesn’t treat coca like a single controversial headline. It frames coca through cultural practice first, then brings in the tasting afterward. Even if you’ve heard lots of opinions online, this kind of explanation helps you understand why it’s not always approached the way outsiders expect.

A consideration: the flavors here may be unfamiliar. You can also expect a bigger taste range than at a typical beer bar. If you’re very picky or you dislike herbal or seed-based notes, start with smaller sips and let your guide know your comfort level so you do not end up feeling pressured.

Doña Ceci: choosing from four Colombian beers in a real after-work vibe

Then you go to Doña Ceci, a bar and tienda where you choose between four local Colombian beers. The setting is typical, the kind of place locals go after classes or work, with music playing while people share conversation.

I enjoy this stop because it grounds the whole tour. Earlier parts are cultural and educational, and here the emphasis is on everyday life. It’s not a staged “tour bar.” You get a more normal social feel, which makes the tastings feel like part of daily routine instead of a one-time event.

Because you choose among four beers, you have some control over what you’re tasting. If you prefer lighter styles, you can likely pick something that fits your palate better. The only downside is simple: 30 minutes is short, and music plus conversation means you’ll want to be mindful about your own pacing.

Casa Magola closes with craft beer and tejo

The final stop is Casa Magola, where you wrap up with a craft beer tasting and a game called tejo. Tejo is described as the only native game played by ancestors for centuries, which gives it more weight than a random activity.

I think this is the right ending because it turns the evening from tasting into participation. It also makes the last part memorable, which is important when you’ve been doing drink sampling all along. If you like games, you’ll probably have fun right away. If you don’t, you can still watch and enjoy the lively atmosphere, but plan on getting a bit involved if the group wants to play.

Practical note: tejo involves playing at a station, so you’ll want footwear that works for standing and moving around. Also, since you’re closing with craft beer tastings, pace yourself earlier in the route so you can actually enjoy this part instead of just getting through it.

Price and value: what you get for $60 in 3 hours

At $60 per person for about 3 hours, this tour is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Bogotá, but it’s a fair value for what you’re getting. You’re paying for guided context, multiple drink experiences, and admission included at each stop.

Here’s why that matters: each location has its own purpose. The museum explains chicha, the café blends indigenous themes through art, Embajada de la Coca Candelaria adds cultural background before tastings, Doña Ceci gives you a local beer bar moment, and Casa Magola ends with both tasting and tejo. If you tried to replicate that on your own, you’d spend time hunting places, paying separate entry fees, and still missing the cultural “why” that ties everything together.

You should know what’s included and what isn’t. The tour includes admission tickets at each stop and tastings as part of the experience, but it does not mention any included food beyond what you might naturally find at those venues. If you want a full dinner afterward, plan it for after the tour, and don’t go in starving.

Who this fits best, and who should think twice

This experience is ideal if you like cultural storytelling tied to food and drink. If you’re the type who enjoys asking questions like “why does this exist?” or “how is this part of daily life?”, you’ll get a lot from the way each stop connects traditions to what you taste.

It also suits people who want a beer experience but don’t mind variety. You’ll get local Colombian beers, craft beer tastings, and multiple chicha moments, plus other seed and plant spirit-style drinks. If you love trying new flavors and you’re comfortable with fermented drinks, this is a strong match.

Think twice if you want a simple beer-only evening. The tour specifically includes chicha tastings and other regional spirit-style drinks, and it includes a coca-focused stop with tastings afterward. Also consider alcohol tolerance if you’re not a frequent drinker, because you will taste across several places in a short window.

Should you book Condor Tours’ Candelaria craft-drink experience?

My take: yes, if you want an evening that feels local and meaning-driven, not just a checklist. The combination of museum-style context, an art-based stop with Carlos Trilleras, a coca-focused cultural explanation, and a proper beer bar moment at Doña Ceci makes it more than a typical tasting crawl.

I’d book this when you have one good evening in Bogotá and you want it to count. The timing works well, the group size is small, and the tejo ending adds something you can’t easily recreate on your own.

Skip it if your priority is only beer, or if you prefer to avoid fermented and herbal-style drinks. But if you’re open-minded and you want to understand why these beverages are part of Candelaria’s cultural fabric, this is one of the more memorable ways to spend 3 hours in Bogotá.

FAQ

How long is the Craft Beers and Traditional Drinks in Candelaria tour?

It lasts about 3 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 4:00 pm.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Plazoleta Chorro de Quevedo, Cl. 12b #2-98, Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How many people are in a group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.