Beyond Wine: The Craft Beer Revolution Also Brewing in Mendoza

Chachingo Fábrica proves that in Mendoza, wine and beer don’t compete—they complement one another. Created by renowned winemaker Alejandro Vigil and master brewer Pablo Sance, this Maipú brewpub combines its own brewery, excellent food, and a vineyard setting where beers are served just meters from where they’re brewed.

Its signature is experimentation. Alongside classic beer styles, the brewery ages beers in oak barrels and concrete eggs—vessels traditionally used in winemaking—to create unique flavors and textures. It’s the perfect place to discover how Mendoza’s two iconic beverages can come together in the same glass.

Good to know: For the full experience, hop aboard the Mendoza Beer Bus, which includes transportation, a brewery tour, and beer tastings paired with local cuisine. Your only job is deciding which pint to order next.

Where: Videla Aranda 7100, Maipú.

Jerome is one of Mendoza’s true craft beer pioneers. Since 1997, the Maccari family has brewed beer in El Salto, Potrerillos, using pure glacier water in a spectacular mountain setting. Alongside brewery tours, visitors can enjoy its restaurant and spacious grounds overlooking the Andes.

The brewery’s story is as remarkable as its beers. It began when founder Carlos Maccari learned the craft in the Czech Republic after rescuing a mountaineer in the Andes. That journey inspired a brewery that continues to produce Central European-style beers and barrel-aged specialty brews, still a rarity within Argentina’s craft beer scene.

Good to know: Jerome is considered one of Argentina’s highest-altitude breweries and the only one brewing with glacier water sourced at the foot of the Andes.

Where: Calle 2 s/n, Manantiales, Mendoza.

Long before craft beer became fashionable, Good Dog was already producing its own styles in Mendoza. Located just minutes from downtown, the brewery opened in 2015 and quickly became a favorite for visitors interested in learning about the brewing process through guided tours, tastings, and conversations with the brewers themselves.

Its greatest strength is its intimate scale. Unlike large industrial breweries, Good Dog offers a personal experience where the brewers often guide visitors through every stage of production while pouring beers fresh from the tanks. It’s an excellent introduction to the craft beer movement that has flourished across Mendoza over the past decade.

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Good to know: The brewery takes its name from "Sancho," the beloved dog that became its mascot and still appears on the labels today.

Where: Adolfo Calle 240, Godoy Cruz, Mendoza.

What started in 2016 as a simple growler refill station has become one of Mendoza’s best-known breweries. Brader Hops has evolved into a full brewpub with its own brewery, an extensive beer list, and a strong food program that has made it an essential stop on the province’s craft beer circuit.

Quality is its defining principle. In 2023, its Hoppy Lager won the gold medal at the Argentina Beer Cup, confirming the work of the Sáez brothers and proving that Mendoza can compete among the country’s finest breweries.

Good to know: Their motto, "We Are the Beer Revolution," dates back to the brewery’s early days as an innovative growler refill station—an idea that has since grown into one of Mendoza’s most popular beer bars.

Where: Beltrán 1361, Godoy Cruz, Mendoza.

Long before the craft beer boom reached Mendoza, Viejo Richard's was already brewing artisan beer in Maipú. Founded in 2007 by Ricardo and Mariano Morralla, it was one of the province’s first microbreweries and remains a favorite for classic beer styles, hearty food, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Its philosophy has remained unchanged: small-batch production, traditional brewing methods, and beers made without additives or preservatives, following the principles of the historic German Purity Law. Rather than chasing trends, Viejo Richard's focuses on brewing timeless classics exceptionally well.

Good to know: The brewery is named after co-founder Ricardo Morralla—"Richard"—whose passion for craft beer helped launch one of Mendoza’s pioneering breweries.

Where: General Manuel Belgrano 70, Maipú.

In a province celebrated worldwide for its wines, Zandoval chose a different path. From its brewery in Mendoza, the team produces craft beers inspired by international styles while embracing innovation and a distinctly local character.

Its standout feature is the use of barrels that previously held Mendoza wines, an uncommon technique in Argentina that adds complexity and unique aromas to special editions. It’s a perfect example of how the region’s winemaking tradition can enrich the world of craft beer.

Good to know: Several of its beers have earned awards at the Cuyo Beer Cup, and the brewery has collected more than five regional medals, establishing itself as one of Mendoza’s most innovative breweries.

Where: Carril Rodríguez Peña 2163, Maipú, Mendoza.

If one brewery embodies the spirit of the Uco Valley, it’s Dowel. Based in Tunuyán, this family-run brewery has spent more than two decades crafting beer with Andean meltwater and a deep connection to the surrounding landscape. Its beers reflect the valley’s character, proving that the Uco Valley can be expressed through beer as beautifully as through wine.

Its signature innovation is brewing with grapes. Dowel’s Grape IPA, made with Muscat grape must, won a gold medal at the Argentina Beer Cup and has become one of Mendoza’s most celebrated beers—a perfect example of wine and beer coexisting in the same recipe.

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Good to know: Long before Grape Ales became fashionable, Dowel was already collaborating with local winemakers to develop beers brewed with grape must, making it one of Argentina’s pioneering breweries in the style.

Where: C. Crayón S/N, La Primavera, Tunuyán, Mendoza.

Mendoza’s beer scene extends well beyond the capital. In San Rafael, Küll Brewing Co. has grown from a family venture into one of southern Mendoza’s leading craft breweries, supplying bars and retailers throughout the region.

Its story is one of resilience and growth. After reinventing itself following the pandemic, the brewery expanded production and strengthened its presence, proving that Mendoza’s craft beer movement extends far beyond Greater Mendoza.

Good to know: Küll began as a small family project and now produces thousands of liters of beer each month, making it one of San Rafael’s most recognizable craft breweries.

Where: Av. Domingo Faustino Sarmiento 4777, San Rafael, Mendoza.

With several locations across Greater Mendoza, Pirca has become one of the city’s best-known craft beer brands. Its combination of house-brewed beers, quality food, and relaxed atmosphere has made it a favorite gathering spot for locals.

Beyond its flagship beers, Pirca regularly introduces seasonal brews and limited editions, complemented by live music and events that celebrate the social side of Mendoza’s beer culture.

Good to know: The name "Pirca" refers to the traditional stone walls found throughout the Andes, a nod to the landscape and heritage that inspire the brewery.

Where: Av. San Martín 2030, Godoy Cruz, Mendoza. Il Mercato - Ozamis sur, C. 25 de Mayo Oeste, Maipú, Mendoza. Padre Vásquez 673, Maipú, Mendoza. Ruta provincial 82, Potrerillos, Mendoza.

Away from the main tourist circuit, Olegario represents the most authentic side of Mendoza’s craft beer culture. Located in Las Heras, this neighborhood brewery focuses on small-batch production, expertly brewed classic styles, and an experience where the beer always takes center stage.

Its philosophy is summed up in the phrase that has accompanied the brand from the beginning: "I drink, you drink, let’s all drink. Make it Olegario." More than a slogan, it reflects the brewery’s mission of creating approachable beers made for sharing and deeply rooted in the local community.

Good to know: In addition to draft beer, Olegario also bottles its own beers, expanding its range while maintaining the artisanal character that defines the brand.

Where: O. V. Andrade 239, Las Heras, Mendoza.