What’s better than a whole week filled with beer-inspired events? Beer Week in paradise, that’s what!
This fall, Chester County heads to the Arenas Del Mar Resort on the Central Pacific Coast of lovely Costa Rica, where Costa Rican craft breweries will have their time to shine. Bill Covaleski (brewmaster and president of Victory Brewing Company), Patrick Feury (executive chef and co-owner of Nectar Restaurant) and Jeremy Allen (co-owner of Arenas Del Mar) came together to create a spectacular week filled with craft beer, excellent cuisine and a beautiful setting.
The idea of a beer week in Costa Rica was the creation of Jeremy Allen, who contacted Bill and Patrick to see if they had any interest in participating. “Pat and Bill are the nicest, funniest human beings you’ll ever meet,” explained Jeremy. “Just funny!”
“The concept was hatched by Jeremy and he picked a great team to pull this off, I think! Fortunately, there are just enough Costa Rican breweries to make a full week of sudsy, culinary entertainment, one brewery per day,” added Bill.
To get the event details rolling, there was a tasting get-together at Jeremy’s home, where the three men, Jeremy’s wife Debra, Dave Callan (co-owner of Arenas Del Mar), Jeremy Nolen of Brauhaus Schmitz and Steve Wildy of Vetri Restaurants (who will be hosting a second beer week in November) got together to start brainstorming for the upcoming beer week and sampled the Costa Rican brews. Beers sampled that evening came from Costa Rican breweries Volcano Brewing, Perrovida, Costa Rican Craft Brewing and Treintaycinco.
“There are five Costa Rican microbreweries,” said Jeremy, “all of which arose in the last five years, and they are so into using the local ingredients.”
When Bill was asked what most surprised him about these Costa Rican brews, he replied, “All of the beers we sampled exhibited adventurous spirit. All seemed like evolving visions. Therefore, we’ll all experience a moment in time as the Costa Rican beers impress us today, and maybe head somewhere else over the coming years.”
Costa Rica Beer Week will feature a weeklong beer-centered adventure at Arenas Del Mar, a beachfront, rainforest-bordered resort with Costa Rican-inspired recipes, Costa Rican beers and a view that you would only imagine could exist in your dreams. The overall vibe of Costa Rica makes this the perfect spot for Beer Week, as relaxation and sublime views are a definite promise.
“Costa Rica is a favorite country because all are so personable here,” explained Jeremy.
Those who visit Arenas Del Mar for Costa Rica Beer Week will be treated to luxury accommodations in a resort that has received high accolades, such as Five Stars for Luxury and Five Leaves for Sustainability. “Arenas Del Mar is the only hotel that is maximum luxury, maximum sustainability in Costa Rica,” said Jeremy. The location itself is another reason to attend this spectacular beer event. The resort is located right next to Manuel Antonio National Park. Views of the beach and rainforest make for a wonderful visual experience. “People go to Costa Rica for the ocean/beaches, wildlife, rainforest and volcanoes,” said Jeremy. “We have three out of the four at Arenas Del Mar.”
Bill also agreed that the location and views were spectacular. “I’ve not been to Arenas Del Mar before, but I have been to the area and Manuel Antonio National Park. The reason I say this is that we’ll be situated in a jungle paradise the whole time. The wildlife is stunning. The vibe is so relaxed,” said Bill. “On top of that, we’ll be creating a unique, perhaps never to be duplicated, culinary experience each night. Jeremy and Dave know all of the local attractions to offer our guests. It should be exciting for the flavors and chill for overall experience.”
In between sampling Costa Rican beers, guests will indulge in a wide array of culinary preparations from Patrick, who will use the local ingredients to create spectacular menu items throughout the week. In addition to the food and drink portion of Beer Week, guests will be able to take part in tons of Costa Rican adventures, such as hiking through beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking, surfing, ziplining or simply lounging on the beach and taking in the views.
If you are eager to embark on an adventurous, tasty and brew-centric journey, don’t miss out on Costa Rica Beer Week, which takes place September 20–27. Can’t make it that week? Don’t worry. Philly representatives Jeremy Nolen and Steve Wildy head up the culinary and brew festivities the week of November 1 at Arenas Del Mar.
Sign up for Costa Rica Beer Week by visiting the Arenas Del Mar website, selecting your room for that week and then calling their reservations department at (888) 240-0280 for further information. Guests who are taking part in Costa Rica Beer Week can easily get to the resort by flying into the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose and then reserving a private luxury transfer shuttle provided by Arenas Del Mar. The shuttle trip costs $195 for the van rental and offers a luxury ride with snacks and drinks to enjoy during the trip. The adventure begins on the journey to the resort when the shuttle makes a short stop to view the crocodiles in the Tarcoles River from a bridge overlooking this scenic body of water. From the very beginning, you’ll know what an adventure Costa Rica Beer Week will truly be.
Don’t miss out on this fabulous weeklong beer event. Make your reservations with Arenas Del Mar today at (888) 240-0280. For more information about Costa Rica Beer Week, contact Jeremy Allen at (610) 407-9371 or by email at [email protected].
- Scenery photos: Arenas Del Mar
- Culinary dish photo: Nectar
- Bill Covaleski and Paul Peck, Master Brewer and Co-Owner of Perrovida photo: John Newhouse
