Our Story

The word ‘Almazonica’ means Amazonian soul. Somos de donde el Amazonas se junta con el Mar (We’re from where the Amazon meets the sea)

After relocating to South Florida, we quickly recognized the vibrancy, and depth of culture, that the Amazon and Florida both share. We started Almazonica Cerveceria with the dream of fusing our rich Peruvian culture with the vibrant Gulfcoast of Florida..

Queremos compartir nuestras raíces peruanas, nuestro paladar, nuestros ingredientes, nuestra tradición. (We want to share our Peruvian roots- our palate, our ingredients, our tradition.)

And celebrate the greatest part of this country, our diversity.

Esa es nuestra filosofia: Calidad, tradicion & innovacion.

(That is our philosophy: Quality, tradition & innovation.)

Almazonica Cerveceria is a Peruvian Eatery and Small Batch Cerveceria in Sarasota, FL- the first of it’s kind in the U.S. A neighborhood hangout, where people from every background can connect over quality food and local craft beer.

As human beings, we respond to authenticity, passion, and long for something to move us.

Esa es nuestra filosofia: Calidad, tradicion & innovacion. (That is our philosophy: Quality, tradition & innovation.)

Almazonica Cerveceria was founded on the principal that the simple things in life can be the best. This is what we strive to do - delivering a quality, authentic product that allows us to remain true to ourselves - an experience that goes beyond a single brew.

Our passion is to create thoughtful, exciting beers, blending familiar flavors with quality ingredients - through our philosophy of culinary brewing.

We use a chef’s mindset to highlight flavors and aromatics in our beer, forging a deep connection between our kitchen and Small Batch Cerveceria. The recipes for our beers are developed in the same manner a chef builds a dish, and we believe that local craft beer is an ideal pairing for chef-driven food.

We want to go beyond just making delicious food and craft beers. We want to share authentic art and culture, and enrich our local scene.

Estamos orgullosos de nuestras raíces, nuestra bandera y nuestra cerveza. (We are Proud of our roots, our flag and our beer.)

Saca El Alma Selvaje Que Hay En Ti - (Bring Out The Wild Soul In You)

Meet The Team

Former founder of Darwin Brewing Co and Selva Grill, known for authentic Peruvian specialities such as ceviche, and special techniques with seafood, beef and chefs mindset to brewing craft beer. He brings his original recipes with him to Almazonica Cerveceria along with a new concept he's excited about, which he calls "the recipes for our beers are developed in the same manner a chef builds a dish." Born in the jungles of Peru, Chef Santa Maria came to America at the age 13, first to Miami, then to Sarasota for his last years of high school. He returned to Miami to attend Johnson & Wales culinary university. Chef Santa Maria hosted three James Beard celebrity chef tour dinners, was a guest speaker at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business "Emerging Market Summit," awarded top ten Sous Chefs in America by Food & Wine Magazine and Bertolli Olive Oil.

Personal chef to past client MLB player Manny Machado, notable current and past clients include: Brian Johnson lead singer AC/DC Robert Plant lead singer Led Zeppelin. He and his wife Lellys Santa Maria decided it was time to open Almazonica- the venue to share the perfect blend of urban, local and global with Sarasota in an intimate and comfortable upscale setting just south of Tamiami Trail Sarasota. It has been a four-year labor of love. "We had a lot of help from friends along the way," Santa Maria says, " from the floors and building our control system brewhouse. We really appreciate everyone who's contribute to our vision for love of the craft."

Jose Mendez was born in Manila, Philippines, and moved to the island of Oahu for most of his childhood. His time was spent surfing, skating, making music and eating fresh, raw seafood- straight out of the tide pools. He joined the Navy which led him to San Diego, California in the early 90’s. This is where he was exposed to kitchen work, and more importantly, craft beer.
While working at the Pamplemousse Grill for award winning Chef Jeffrey Strauss, he was exposed to some of the best craft beer pubs and built relationships with brewers and other professionals in the industry. This was the beginning of the San Diego Craft beer boom. He also began a brewing research and development operation, after hours at the Pamplemousse with a coworker. Chef Strauss helped fuel their home-brewing exploration by allowing them to set up and brew in the kitchen, usually late at night and into the early morning. His search for a fresh, new, up and coming craft beer scene is what led him to Southwest Florida, and to Almazonica Cerveceria.