Hobbs Brewing Co., which opened as brewpub in in West Ossipee, in 2014, will begin distribution of 12-ounce cans and kegs throughout Placencia, Belize, in April.
“We recognized that this area really needed craft beer,” says Ash Fischbein, a partner of Hobbs Brewing Company. “And we started to put it all into motion last year.”
Placencia is a small village located in the Stann Creek district of Belize; with a a population of approximately 3,500, is a prime vacation destination and home to many new resorts and other businesses.
Hobbs will feature two beers as it begins production in Central America: Wildcat IPA and Hummingbird Belizean Golden Ale. Wildcat IPA, so named because Belize is home to the world’s largest Jaguar preserve, is a 6 percent alcohol by volume India Pale Ale featuring a tropical and citrusy hop character. Wildcat is the only IPA available in the country. Meanwhile, Hummingbird is a light, crisp ale that is just 4.7 percent alcohol by volume.
“One of the most intriguing things about brewing in Belize is the incredible agriculture down here,” Fischbein says. “As we grow and continue to brew new styles, we really want to experiment with all the amazing ingredients that are literally right on our doorstep.”
Day-to-day brewing operations will be led by intern Anthony Swanick, who began to learn the craft at Hobbs’ NH location over the past few years.
Current Issue - April 2024