When Guillermo Fernández opened Cervecería Aurelia in Asunción, his passion for brewing had long been alive. It started in 2009, when a retired family friend taught him how to make beer at home. Years later, after refining his skills and selling his restaurant to fund the dream, he launched the microbrewery. Today, the operation produces 3,000 litres monthly for a diverse clientele.
The journey of a brewer
Guillermo is not only the owner of Cervecería Aurelia, but also its brewer. His interest began out of curiosity, at a time when few in Paraguay were making craft beer. With the help of a retired family friend, he learned the basics of fermentation using 20-litre water barrels. Those early experiments were key to developing his craft and understanding the process.
After pursuing studies in culinary arts, he combined his cooking skills with brewing, which led him to open the restaurant Las Lomas. Its success gave him the financial boost to finally build the project.
“Las Lomas did well; I sold it and that let me finish building the brewery,” he recalls. He says that selling the restaurant allows him to construct a fully equipped microbrewery and pursue his dream of offering high-quality artisanal beers.
Cervecería Aurelia’s beer styles
Unlike many pubs that offer a wide variety of modern craft styles, the brewhouse prides itself on producing traditional brews with a strong sense of balance. “We are fairly traditional with our styles,” the founder points out. He says that this defines the brewery’s identity.
Customers can enjoy lagers, American pale ales, pilsners, and Irish stouts. “The stout won us a golden medal and found its audience here,” he adds. He says that the style surprises locals who are less accustomed to dark varieties. The award is received this year at the Copa Guaraní de Cervezas, a regional competition that celebrates the best of Paraguayan local creations.
Most of the brewery’s beers range from 4.1% to 6% alcohol, a choice the brewer says makes them more approachable for the local market. “We began with approachable styles to enter the market before trying bolder ones,” Guillermo explains. He says that this strategy helps build trust with customers. In addition to its own production, the place also serves craft brews from Paraguayan and international breweries, offering customers a rotating selection beyond its core styles.
Food and atmosphere
“We wanted a proper British-style pub. When you walk in, it should feel like your living room,” Guillermo underlines. He says that this atmosphere develops naturally and is now central to the brewery’s identity.
The food menu is small but varied, offering empanadas, cheeseburgers, fish and chips, pâté, and sandwiches such as mushroom or fish. “Fish and chips with the American pale ale, it is a rich dish and the beer cleans the palate,” he says. He explains that this pairing works especially well for customers.
Community, culture, and events
The Paraguayan craft brewing scene is steadily growing, and the founder credits this to collaboration and knowledge-sharing among makers. “We all know each other and help each other; that is how the scene grows,” he explains. He says that cooperation is fundamental to progress.
The businessman notes that the national association runs courses to promote quality from the start, and that many, himself included, have trained as beer sommeliers. “The association runs courses, and many of us, myself included, have trained as beer sommeliers,” he stresses. He says that these efforts raise standards and bring international recognition to the country’s artisanal brews.
Cervecería Aurelia in Asunción also hosts live music, from reggae at its first anniversary to a performance by the band Paico at its second. The entrepreneur remarks that they usually organise three or four such events a year, sometimes more when opportunities arise. He is now working with an architect on plans to expand the space and add a permanent stage, which would allow music to become a more regular feature at the brewery.
Plans in progress
Although the microbrewery is not rushing to release new recipes, the owner is focused on refining existing ones. “We are not working on new recipes right now, we are improving what we already make,” he recalls. He says that this allows the brewery to perfect its craft.
His long-term vision includes experimenting with stronger varieties once smaller-scale equipment is available.
VIP Card benefits
As a VIP Member of The Asunción Times you get a 10% discount at Cervecería Aurelia in Asunción, just by showing your VIP Membership Card! This is just one of many VIP Member Benefits!
At Cervecería Aurelia, the ambition is simple: to refine brewing to its purest form. That dedication to craft secures its place as both a promise for the future and a defining chapter in Paraguay’s emerging artisanal movement.
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Cervecería Aurelia Opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 18:00 to 01:00
Wednesday: 18:00 to 01:00
Thursday: 18:00 to 01:00
Friday: 18:00 to 02:00
Saturday: 18:00 to 02:00
Sunday: Closed
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