Volcano Brewing and Lakeview Hotel, Costa Rica
Route 142 in Lake Arenal;
VolcanoBrewingCompany.com
In an episode of Modern Family, the aloof dad character of Phil Dunphy says to his wife about Costa Ricans: “It’s a progressive culture. Most of them travel by zipline.” It’s precisely the ecotourism that attracts more than 2 million people a year for white water rafting and kayaking, or more subdued aquatic pursuits such as soaking in hot springs and warm waterfalls. One of the most picturesque water features is Lake Arenal in the northern Highlands, set against Arenal Volcano. You can ride your bike around the lake over the course of a day, but when you’re done you’ll be pretty tired. And thirsty.
Overlooking Lake Arenal in the highlands of Costa Rica, Volcano Brewery sources much of its food from its own Eco Farm.
Volcano Brewery and Lakeside Hotel is a new option for visitors and the first of its kind in this Central American country. Of their flagship Witch’s Rock Pale Ale, they say it “pairs well with a long hike around the Arenal Volcano, where you’ll discover more shades of green and more types of wildlife than you could ever imagine… where (you’ll see) butterflies the size of your hand and views that can make a grown man cry in awe.”
As part of the brightly painted hotel, the Volcano Brewing Tavern is one of the most unique pubs in the world. Much of the food comes from their own Eco Farm. From the salad greens to the pork and poultry, even the dairy products are made within eyesight. The tilapia comes right out of the lake, and if you take cream in your morning coffee (Costa Rican coffee, of course), it doesn’t come any fresher. The Tico Farmer’s Feast breakfast is included with your room, which starts at $60 a night.
This being a beer trip, at Volcano you can sample the entire array of Costa Rican microbrews—all two of them—in one gorgeous spot.
