in 1882, the cariocas' most ubiquitous beer emporium, antarctica, was formed, and in 1888, its great lifelong rival, brahma, was created by a swiss immigrant, joseph villiger.

since then, beer industrialisation and consumption has increased continually - nowadays, at every bar one can find a host of people gathered around large bottles of beer, sharing them round generously.

at all big social events, at street parties and buzzing squares, street vendors sell cans and bottles from big, portable ice boxes and clued in locals will traipse from vendor to vendor to determine which has the coldest beer. 

specialised beer bars and artisanal beer cafés, can be found at a wide range of locations, such a pub escondido in copacabana, espaço lapa café in lapa, delirium café in ipanema, beertaste in barra de tijuca, and an impressive number in the trendy district of botafogo.