Argentina's craft beer scene balances festival buzz with falling sales

The renovated Patio Cervecero at the 55th Fiesta Nacional e Internacional del Poncho in Catamarca gathered nine local breweries, food trucks, live music and other artisanal drinks, positioning the space as a leading gathering point for families and friends. Organisers highlighted the growth of Catamarca’s craft‑beer production, offering a range of styles from classic pilsners to specialty IPAs and a unique red beer brewed with regional arrope.

At the same time, the Argentine craft‑beer market is confronting a sustained downturn. Consumption has declined for over a year as patrons cut back on outings, favor cheaper drinks such as fernet‑coca and simple bar cocktails, and shift socializing to homes. Brewers and taprooms in Buenos Aires have reduced staff, trimmed menus, extended happy‑hour promotions and introduced ticketed events to attract fewer but paying customers. Similar slowdowns are reported in Córdoba and Mendoza, prompting many venues to diversify with coctails and lower‑priced options.