Jamaica

"For the Healing of the Nation"

Most people think something else when they hear that said.. Me too, but visiting Jamaica twice in the past year I have not only found one of the most friendly, wonderful places on earth but a power, spirit, and sense of culture I have yet to find anywhere else. Many Jamaicans exist with very little but their smile and pride, they make do with what they have and are warm and welcoming to visitors who endlessly fill the island and are most possibly their biggest import..

Being infatuated with Jamaican music and culture going there was one of the better experiences in my life, and I am always looking at the next trip back and when I will be able to make it. Being in Tampa Bay it is not really that far, but of course it takes money and time both of which is not always in huge supply. This is all great, but what does it have to do with beer? I'll tell you!

The first time we touched down in Montego Bay airport I could see the striking blue water from the window as the plane taxied down the runway towards the concourse the other thing that caught my eye was a huge Red Stripe billboard. Now, I knew going to Jamaica I would be drinking my fill of this not particularly complex and different lager but little did I understand what place it had in the overall experience of this island nation. Upon going through customs, immigration and all the other formalities we finally made it to the lounge where we would wait for our shuttle to the all inclusive resort that my wife had picked for us and the first thing they did when we got there? "Have a cold Red Stripe, no problem your bus will be here soon." Nothing out of the ordinary there right? As we were led to the bus, the driver sent a buddy to run and get us more Red Stripes for the 90 minute ride to Negril which came in more than handy and arrived ice-cold. Now a few beers in, I began to take in the beautiful countryside which of course was beautiful but as we left the not so overly sprawling city of Montego Bay and made way into the more rural areas I began to notice an abundance of little shacks along the side of the road. All colorfully painted and populated with at least a few people, mostly Jamaican although some tourists the recurring theme was the one word I seemed to find on almost all of these little buildings.. BEER. After listening to a rather ridiculous series of questions from a woman in the front of the bus who could think of little to ask the driver beside where the shopping malls were, I asked the him what these little buildings were and he replied simply that they were bars, or rest stops. Being from a very regulated place, I continued with my questions wondering how the licensing works for people to have a bar to which he laughed then explained that basically anyone with a cooler, a case of Red Stripe, and a place in the shade could operate a bar. Sure enough, we stopped about halfway through our journey from the airport to Negril at a reststop which was little more than a little snack bar and bathroom and was served rum punch and Red Stripes by two girls minding the counter that could not have been more than about 12.. I actually have a picture... That's me walking back towards the bus.( I finished the Red Stripe and took the rum for the road!)
As we continued I kept seeing these colorful little bars and could only imagine how much fun it would be to do a little bar hopping...

We arrived at the resort which while being an All-Inclusive place was Jamaican owned and proceeded to enjoy what was probably the most relaxing, indulgent 5 days of our lives complete with all the food we could eat and all we could stand to drink. When it came to beer though there was one choice that came out from them all.. Red Stripe.

That week I had my fill of Red Stripe, cold and refreshing as it is I can only tell you it is my beer of choice in Jamaica. Anywhere else I would have to consider it as a last resort but when you are there caught up in the enchantment of the sun, sand, music, and one you love it is ultimately the perfect beer. In this case I talk about pure enjoyment with more in mind than the complexity and perfection of the beer that is in your hand. To further this is to see what place this pale beer, in the stubby little bottles has in it's home country for it is truly a part of Jamaica the same way Bob Marley, Jerk Chicken, and all the other things you consider when you think of this mysterious, magical place. At the same plant where Red Stripe is produced they make Guinness under license from the St. James Gate, but very different than you would experience it there or anywhere else and one more beer " Dragon Stout" which is a sweet stout that I can say is ultimately one of my favorite stouts from a beer geek stand point. I had a few of each of these while I was there, but for the most part what was to be found in large numbers was good old original Red Stripe (they also had Red Stripe Light, but isn't it light enough already?) Walking down the beach and seeing the little bars you could see both tourists and local people enjoying the cool refreshment of what is ultimately the national beer which proves it's place in this little island nation as not only a drink, but for some a source of income, and financial security for a lot of people at least for as much as could be sold. This makes it truly more than just another beer, at least to me.
When I worked in a beer store years back I had a gentleman come in one day and ask about the possibility of getting the same Red Stripe he had drank in Jamaica. He swore to me it was stronger, as he had remembered that it made him more "irie" than when he drank it here in the states. I thought this was funny, and reminded him that there were other powers at work while he was on vacation, but assured him the beer was exactly the same recipe. After being there I know what he was talking about, but apart from being a little more fresh it is the same beer, just different when enjoyed in paradise. You should definitely head down to JA and try some for yourself!!

Cheers!