When I visited Lima, Peru, I had the chance to do a food and beer pairing with Silvia De Tomás, a beer judge, instructor, head brewer
and co-owner of Dos Broders. I had an awesome time with her, her brother Jhonathan, and her staff, which led to this feature that I shared with a cool site called Medium. Check it out...
It continues to
be an amazing experience as a lifestyle journalist and travel writer with a
focus on beer. This enables me to travel around the world to document and share
my experiences with a broad audience, but the brewing industry is not just
about imbibing; I feel the most enlightening aspect is the people behind the
ales and lagers. A perfect example was recently taking part in an unforgettable
food and beer pairing with Silvia
De Tomás, the head brewer and co-owner of Dos
Broders, an artisanal craft brewery based in Lima, Peru.
After participating at the
incredible Inti Raymi celebration in Cusco, trekking through the Sacred Valley,
and literally feeling a new high at Machu Picchu, the last destination of my
trip—the bustling city of Lima—delivered an impressive beer scene. After meeting
Silvia and her brother and head of operations, Jhonathan, Dos
Broders was the most memorable. Their brewery-brewpub hybrid had multiple levels
boasting an eatery specializing in Peruvian cuisine, brilliantly designed
labels on bottles and cans filled by hand; and a table hosting pairings that
perfectly married both mouth pleasers. In an interview with Silvia about the
experience, we learn about how beginning Dos Broders in 2018, the challenges
with be a female in a male-dominated industry, how Lima embraces craft brewing,
and her role as an entrepreneur intersecting with now becoming an esteemed beer
judge globally.
Ale: How did
you and your brother get into the world of beer?
My brother and
I grew up surrounded by beer. From a young age, we helped our father in his
brewery, De Tomas. I started working there informally at the age of nine,
supporting him in any way I could, and by the time I was 15, I was in charge of
the entire production process. At 20, my father sent me to Chile to compete in
the Copa Cervezas de América, an experience that opened my eyes to the vast
world of brewing. From that point on, I began studying more consciously,
focusing on sensory analysis and taking exams to become a beer judge.
Our parents
taught us to work from a very young age, and when they passed away—my father
when I was 22 and my mother when I was 26—that upbringing allowed us to be
independent and work together as siblings. Now, at 30 years old, my brother and
I keep moving forward, supporting each other every step of the way. The bond we
built has been the foundation of our project and has given us the strength to
continue growing together. Through beer, we carry forward the legacy of hard
work and passion our parents left us, and that is what we strive to share with
every beer we make.
Amazing. What
made you decide to start your own brewery in Lima and how difficult was it?
Starting Two
Broders in Lima was a natural step for us, driven by our desire to create beers
that connected with Peruvian culture and its rich gastronomy. Initially, we
faced many challenges, from bureaucratic hurdles to the task of educating the
market about what craft beer truly meant. However, the enthusiasm of Peruvians
to discover new flavors kept us going.
My father’s
brewery was called De Tomas, but in 2018 we decided to transform it into Two
Broders, a more personal project. We wanted to share our vision of beer and
bring it to a level where the best chefs in the country, singers, and people we
admire could enjoy it. Today, that dream is becoming a reality: our beers are
available at Central, considered the best restaurant in the world, and many
other important places. We have even had the honor of teaching classes to
renowned figures like Raúl Romero. For us, Two Broders means so much because it
represents our ambition, our desire to make a mark, and to create something
truly special.
Tell us
about your role, your brother’s role, and what it’s like working together.
I handle the
creative and technical side of Two Broders, from recipe development to
production supervision and quality control. My brother Jhonathan manages the
operational and commercial side, ensuring that our beers reach the right places
and maintaining relationships with bars and restaurants. While each of us has a
defined role, in the end, we both do a bit of everything and complement each
other very well. We are patient, but above all, we share a dream: to craft
incredible beers that the world will appreciate. We love each other very much,
we are very close, and we are each other’s only family.
Staying on Peru,
escribe the craft beer scene in your country?
The craft beer
scene in Peru has gone through several waves of growth since 2003, and right
now, it is in a state of expansion and boom. Each year, new breweries join the
market while others solidify their presence. Popular styles include IPAs and pale
ales, but many breweries, including ours, focus on using local ingredients like
kiwicha, camu camu, lemongrass, cilantro, maca, algarrobina, strawberries,
passion fruit, and chancaca, among others, which gives our beers a unique
touch. Peruvian breweries take advantage of the beautiful biodiversity found
along our coast, in the Andes, and in the Amazon, allowing us to craft beers
that reflect the richness of our country. Despite challenges like the lack of
local raw materials and high taxes, the sense of pride and attachment to our
roots continues to drive Peruvian brewers.
As a woman
in the brewing industry, did you encounter any obstacles?
Yes, being a
woman in an industry traditionally dominated by men has not been easy,
especially in Latin America. From the start, I faced stereotypes and the
constant need to prove my knowledge and skills. I also began very young, at nine
years old, which added to the challenge. However, I never let that stop me. I
kept studying and training to overcome any obstacle.
My biggest
dream is to earn a brewmaster certification in the United States or Germany,
and I know I will achieve it. That certification will be my greatest
credential, but beyond that, I believe that continuous learning is the key to
overcoming barriers. At the Copa Latinoamericana de Cervezas, we have always
maintained a 50 percent female participation as judges to promote visibility
and learning in a safe and professional environment. I am convinced that,
although there is still much to do, change is on the way. I love what I do, and
each challenge motivates me to keep growing.
Tell us
about the culinary side of the brewery, including food pairings.
At Cebichela,
our brewpub, the goal is clear: to combine the best of craft beer with Peruvian
seafood cuisine. We love creating pairings that enhance the flavors of the
dishes, like our ceviche paired with a refreshing hefeweizen, or our session
IPA that highlights the flavors of a classic Peruvian causa. One of our
favorite pairings is the street-style ceviche with our Quita Estrés Hefeweizen.
Outside of
the brewery, tell us what else you do in the industry, including your
experience as a judge in the U.S.
In addition to
running Two Broders and Cebichela, I am the founder of the Copa Latinoamericana
de Cervezas, an event that seeks to elevate the quality of beer in the region.
I have judged over 48 competitions throughout Latin America and the United
States, which has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of trends and quality
standards in the region. The Copa Latinoamericana is not just a competition;
it’s a gathering point for brewers from across Latin America, and I am proud to
contribute to this growth. I am also a teacher at Brewmart, my brewing school,
and I believe that education is essential for the growth of beer culture in
Peru. Training new brewers and sensory analysts is key to the continued growth
and evolution of the industry.
So what does
the future hold for you?
Looking to the
future, my dream is to see Two Broders bars in various parts of Lima and to
expand Cebichela as a franchise that brings the perfect pairing between beer
and Peruvian cuisine to other locations. Additionally, I dream of creating a
hotel south of Lima that combines a gastronomic and beer experience with a
brewery on-site. I want every person who visits the hotel to enjoy beer culture
and the beauty of our cuisine in a unique setting. Despite the challenges, I
continue working towards my goals, like formally certifying as a brewmaster in
Germany or the United States. I know the path is long, but I am committed to
learning and giving my best to ensure that Peruvian beer continues to shine on
the global stage.
For more
information on Silvia
De Tomás, Cebichela,
Dos Broders, her brother, and more on Instagram, visit @silviadetomas, @twobroders.pe, @brewmart_peru,
@cebichela, @copalatamcervezas,
and @Jhonathandetomas.
To see more
of my experience while traveling throughout Peru, please see my five #alevisitsperu
posts including reels on my Instagram page as
well.
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