OUR PURPOSE

Throughout history, beer has served a variety of purposes. For the Sumerians it was an elixir for religious festivities that celebrated the gods. The Babylonians highlighted the social importance of this ancient beverage. In ancient Egypt, beer was part of the diet of the general population and some recipes were developed for medicinal purposes. In the Middle Ages beer served to preserve life against the Bubonic plague.

But the main characteristic that has been passed down from generation to generation is the principle of uniting and sharing. Tribes, cultures, and even nations have united around beer. Numu Brewing Company was created in recognition of the legacy of thousands of years and generations of people who illustrated the power that this drink has to unite people, regardless of their origin, creed, race, gender, or language.

Robert is a Chicago native who got his first taste of quality beer as a teenager while living with his family in Germany in 1980 (“Bitte ein Bit”!) and has been a huge beer fan ever since. He has worked, lived, and traveled in over 60 countries in every region of the world. In 1997 Robert was a limited partner in a brewpub in Chicago called Hopcats.  This brewery, restaurant, and music venue was his first exposure to fresh, craft beer and the brewing industry. It was also the site of his first efforts in homebrewing; a passion that developed into an obsession over the next twenty years.

In early 2018 he developed the vision and executed the plans to create a premier craft brewery in one of the most beautiful places in the world.  He moved from Virginia to Guanacaste with his wife and three children (and the dog!) to pursue his passion and follow his dreams.

Robert holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Valparaiso University in Indiana, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a CICERONE Certified Beer Server.

Guatemalan by birth, but Costa Rican by heart. Carlos Reiche came from Guatemala in the 80's directly to CATIE, Turrialba. As a teenager, he was exposed to, and captivated by, the flavors and textures of international beers, wines, and foods from different countries.

In 2012 tired of trying dull beers, he decided to make his own beers. He built his own equipment and made his first craft beer, then started experimenting with other styles, flavors and techniques. In 2015, he started working for the first craft brewery in Costa Rica, where he sold and promoted their beers. Carlos loves the relationship that is generated between the customers and people that love craft beers. 

May Numu (sun) shine in each beer and every glass you will taste!

A chemical engineer from Costa Rica, who studied and trained in Brewing Sciences in Europe, with a passion for beer, brewing, bread baking and music. José P. Barahona recently completed his Master’s Degree in Malting and Brewing Sciences at KU Leuven in Belgium. From homebrewing in Costa Rica to specialized research on metal ion analysis in wort and beer in Poland, his approach is simple: brewing is happiness

José joined Numu Brewing in August of 2022 to bring his passion, energy, training and experience to continue to grow while brewing award winning beers and be a part of the next chapter of the Numu story.