From Airampo to Quillabamba Coffee: The Peruvian Ingredients That Set a Cusco-Born Brewery Apart

Local ingredients, innovation, and collaboration with producers from different regions show how each beer can become an expression of Peru’s richness and diversity.

In the midst of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, surrounded by mountains and the Urubamba River, an idea was born more than a decade ago that today brings the flavors of Peru to thousands of people. From its facility in Pachar, between Ollantaytambo and Urubamba, Cervecería del Valle Sagrado crafts beers whose main ingredient is Peruvian identity.

“The brewery is located in the Sacred Valley, hence the name. It’s a beautiful place, with a river on one side and the mountains on the other. That’s where we make all our beers,” says Luis Loredo, the company’s Head of Sales and Brand. The setting not only inspires the brewery’s name, but also the philosophy behind each of its varieties.

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Peruvian Ingredients

Although they work with malts and hops with different profiles, what sets their beers apart are ingredients native to Peru. Among them is airampo, which grows in the Andes and is traditionally used in the Andean region for its medicinal and refreshing properties, and even as a natural dye.

“We have a red beer made with airampo, which is the seed of the prickly pear. More than flavor, it gives the beer its distinctive ruby-red color. It’s an ingredient from the Peruvian highlands that works very well,” he explains.

Creativity also finds its way into the brewery’s seasonal beers, limited editions that change with each season. One of them features passion fruit from Quillabamba in a Belgian-style beer, while another showcases the freshness of watermelon.

 

 

 

 

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Coffee and vanilla from Quillabamba are also part of this initiative. Both ingredients enhance an Imperial Stout that has earned international recognition. “Beyond fruits, we want to showcase other products that Peru has to offer. We have entered these beers in international competitions and won several awards,” he notes.

Customer Favorites

But perhaps the greatest recognition comes from those who visit the country. At its locations in Cusco, tourists from around the world discover Peru over a glass of beer. “Many people try local fruits or ingredients for the first time through our beers. It’s a different way to discover the country,” says Loredo.

That connection to the local environment is also reflected in the selection of its raw materials. The company prioritizes working with local producers and seeks to create each recipe from what the surrounding area has to offer. “We try to work closely with people from the area. We look at what products they have, how we can incorporate them and create something new. We want to make the most of what we have around us and add value to it,” he says.

After twelve years of growth, with a presence in Cusco and Lima, Cervecería del Valle Sagrado remains true to the essence with which it began. For Loredo, success lies not only in quality or innovation, but also in conveying a deeply Peruvian experience. “People come here looking to discover Cusco and end up discovering Peru through our beers as well. What could be better than being Peruvian?” he says proudly.