Who owns MEDALLA BEER?

MEDALLA BEER is owned by

CERVECERA DE PUERTO RICO

MEDALLA BEER
First Brewed

1979

Origin

Puerto Rico (US), Caribbean

Website

Medalla Beer was first brewed in 1979 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico by Cervecera India. Cervecera had been founded in 1937 by brothers Alfonso, Sabino and Ramón Valdés Cobián, and had taken over much of the Puerto Rican beer market with their India Cerveza. Their father, Don Ramon Valdés, had previously founded the Mayagüez Light, Power, and Ice Company in 1910. They used the fortune from this business to start Cervecera India, and as the only alcohol manufacturer in Mayagüez, quickly became the dominant brand in the local beer market.

By the 1970s, however, their dominance in the space was fading as the demand for light beers was beginning to grow. Medalla Light was created as a lower-calorie complement to Cerveza India. The beer was inspired by the 21 medals won by Puerto Rico’s team in the Panamerican Games that year. As the beer became a bigger part of the company’s business, in 2009 Cervecería India changed its name back to its original name, Cervecera de Puerto Rico. The light beer’s growth helped support the introduction of the Magna Lager brand to the company’s portfolio, which serves as the business’ premium offering in the space. However, Medalla Light is still Cervecera de Puerto Rico’s flagship product – it has expanded its distribution in the United States, while Magna’s sales have since declined, both in the continental US as well as on the island. Medalla Light has a cult following among Puerto Ricans in the United States, particularly in Florida.

The business is still privately held by the Valdés family. When Alfonso Valdés died in 1988, his wife Grace Valdés took over his stake. Their granddaughter, Camalia Valdés, served as president from 2002 to 2017. She was followed by her aunt Grace Maria Valdés.

Popular Beers by this Brand

  • Medalla Light
CERVECERA DE PUERTO RICO

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