Yerba mate and beer: is it a good combination?
Hey there, fans of experimental yerba mate combinations. Yes, you are the ones today's blog post is aimed at! How about mixing mate tea with beer? Is it even tasty and safe? We tested a recipe for beer yerba mate and we must admit, the result was... interesting. See for yourself!
Summary:
- Yerba mate + alcohol. Is this combination safe?
- Yerba mate cerveza – beer yerba mate
- Yerba mate with beer – checking how it tastes
- Yerba mate cerveza without alcohol
Yerba mate + alcohol. Is this combination safe?
Before we dive into the main part of our article, let's clarify any doubts that might have already popped into your mind. Can you mix yerba mate with beer? It’s not so much about mate itself, but about what’s in it – caffeine. Some time ago, the internet and media were abuzz with reports warning about the dangers of mixing vodka with energy drinks. Indeed, energy drinks contain caffeine, just like yerba mate, and vodka contains alcohol, just like beer. Without delving into too many details, one might conclude that mixing mate with beer is just as bad an idea. In reality, the issue lies with synthetic substances contained in energy drinks, which interact with vodka to create a harmful cocktail for the body. Unlike energy drinks, mate tea is a 100% natural energising beverage, and the caffeine it contains does not react with alcohol – it neither affects the alcohol’s effect nor is it affected by alcohol. The only thing to keep in mind is the fact that a stimulated body may perceive the effects of intoxication differently, making it easier to overdo it with alcohol, which could lead to an unpleasant “next day syndrome’” (commonly known as a hangover 😉). Therefore, if you’re planning such experiments, it’s wise to exercise moderation.
Yerba mate cerveza – beer yerba mate
The fact that the combination of caffeine and alcohol – and thus yerba mate with beer – isn’t a bad one is evident from similar concoctions that humanity has known for ages. Examples include the famous Irish Coffee, made with coffee and whiskey, or the warming “power tea” (with rum). Besides, yerba mate with beer isn’t a brand-new invention. It’s a known combination in South America. It may not be super popular, but it exists and even has a name – yerba mate cerveza. After all, if mate can be brewed with hot and cold water, cold fruit juice, and even milk – why not beer?
At this point, it's also worth mentioning the interesting phenomenon of beer with yerba mate. We’re no experts on the subject, but it’s easy to spot the revolution that the beer market underwent at the beginning of the 21st century and continues to enjoy today. Craft beers have taken over the market, paving the way for increasingly bold experiments. This has led to the emergence of beers infused with coffee, tea blends, and even – what interests us most – craft beers with yerba mate. This interesting flavour combination surely attracts many connoisseurs.
Yerba mate with beer – checking how it tastes
We decided to conduct an experiment ourselves. We were very curious to see what would happen if we prepared “beer-infused tereré” by pouring icy cold, crisp beer over yerba mate. Drinking yerba mate cold is primarily associated with Paraguay, where suitable mate tea blends are prevalent. However, we thought the intense, smoky taste of Paraguayan yerba mate might overpower the beer in this case. On the other hand, Brazilian mate green seemed a bit too mild for this experiment. So, we settled on something in between – the Argentine classic Rio Parana Elaborada Con Palo. Despite being a relatively new name on the market, it’s produced by a true yerba mate legend – the company La Cachuera, known for producing the iconic Amanda brand. Rio Parana Elaborada is a pure, additive-free mate, with a significant amount of sticks and dust in its blend; slightly bitter and mildly smoky in flavour and aroma – a quintessentially traditional yerba mate. We filled one-third of a vessel with mate leaves. A quick note here – instead of a traditional ceramic mate gourd, we used a tall glass to better observe the process of “brewing” yerba mate with beer. Filled the glass to the top with beer. We opted for a craft lager with a bold hop profile. As mentioned earlier – we’re not beer experts, but the experimental result far exceeded our expectations...
...although at first, it looked quite odd. When the beer mixed with the yerba mate leaves, the mixture immediately foamed up. It looked more like a chemistry experiment about to explode in a lab. We proceeded to pour the beer more slowly. The mate leaves and sticks floated to the top, while the golden beverage below slowly took on a greenish tint. Yerba mate began to release its “juices”, flavour, and aroma. The air was filled with a mix of hop scents and the freshness of mate. We waited a few minutes for the “infusion” to steep and finally, it was time for the tasting. How did the experiment turn out? Mixing yerba mate with beer created a strong, intense flavour, but... surprisingly pleasant. First sip reaction: too bitter. We grimaced and set aside the bombilla, thinking the mixture was fit only for the sink. But after a moment, a pleasant aftertaste emerged on the palate. The maltiness of the beer and the bitterness of the yerba mate took time to interweave, resulting in a very interesting and, above all, incredibly refreshing combination. Final verdict: yerba mate with beer is a highly intriguing mix that’s worth trying if you enjoy both beverages. Together, they create a “drink” that energises, revitalises, and, most importantly, quenches thirst remarkably well.
Yerba mate cerveza without alcohol
One portion of the experimental “yerbeer” didn’t make us dizzy, but a few refills might have changed things. Obviously, not everyone enjoys drinking alcohol, so non-alcoholic beer can be a fantastic option for preparing a refreshing beer-infused tereré. If even that doesn’t appeal to you, there are two interesting alternatives offered by the Verde Mate Green brand. Verde Mate IPA and Verde Mate Radler are two yerba mate blends with added hops (the latter also enhanced with lemon and lime peel), which strongly resemble beer in taste and aroma, yet have nothing to do with alcohol. Both blends are great both hot and cold. Highly recommended!
Yerba mate with beer is a fascinating combination sure to attract those adventurous enough to try something new and unconventional. The harmony of flavours and the energising synergy created in the cup make yerba mate with beer an unforgettable experience. It’s an invitation to culinary exploration and the discovery of new tastes. The refreshing effect is strikingly vivid – making it an ideal choice for a hot day, perfect for outdoor sipping with friends. Prepare yourself for a flavourful adventure that will open up entirely new horizons!
Sources of information:
- Wikipedia: Yerba mate.
- S. Ferré, M. C. O'Brien, Alcohol and Caffeine: The Perfect Storm, Journal of Caffeine Research, 2011.
