Quilmes was founded in 1888 by German immigrant Otto Bemberg in the town of Quilmes, just outside Buenos Aires, which gives the beer its name. It quickly grew into Argentina’s dominant beer brand and remains so today, now part of AB InBev following a series of mergers. Quilmes Clasica in particular is as much a cultural symbol as a beer in Argentina, closely tied to football, asado gatherings and the country’s national identity.
Quilmes Beer Review at a Glance
| Style | Pale lager |
| ABV | 4.9% |
| Brewery | Cerveceria y Malteria Quilmes (AB InBev) |
| Country | Argentina |
| Serving temp | 3 to 5 C (37 to 41 F) |
| US availability | Limited, check specialty retailers |
How It Tastes
Quilmes Clasica pours a bright gold with a solid white head that holds up reasonably well. The aroma is bready with a light floral hop note. On the palate it feels a touch fuller than many standard macro lagers, with a rounded malt sweetness that carries through to a clean, mildly bitter finish. It is smooth enough to drink easily in quantity, which explains its constant presence at long asado lunches, and it pairs particularly well with grilled meat, its most natural food match.
It tastes like a beer built specifically to sit next to a grill for four hours, because that is exactly what it does in Argentina.
- Fuller malt character than most macro lagers
- Deep cultural roots and consistent quality
- Smooth, easy-drinking even in quantity
- Excellent match for grilled meat and asado-style food
- Not widely stocked in the US
- Not currently listed on Saucey
- Standard lager profile if you want something more adventurous
Quilmes is Argentina’s most iconic beer but is not sold through US delivery apps. Modelo Especial is a comparable US-available Latin American lager.
FAQs
Is Quilmes an Argentine beer?
Yes. Quilmes was founded in 1888 in the town of Quilmes, Argentina, and remains the country’s most popular beer brand.
How strong is Quilmes beer?
Quilmes Clasica is 4.9% ABV, a standard strength for a pale lager.
Who owns Quilmes?
Quilmes is owned by Cerveceria y Malteria Quilmes, part of AB InBev.
Can you buy Quilmes in the US?
Availability is limited. It is not currently listed on Saucey, but specialty Latin American import retailers sometimes carry it, and it is more widely available in the UK and Europe through retailers like Casa Argentina.
