For all those beer fans out there, did you know that Cerveza Panama was a awarded a gold medal at the International Brewers Contest in 2008? That may be why it is one of the most popular beers in Panama.
The five most popular beers drank by the locals that are brewed locally are 
Atlas, Balboa, Crista, Panama and Soberana.
Atlas and Balboa are brewed by the Cervezaria National and Atlas tends to be the most popular choice among Panamanians, sort of like the Budweiser of Panama. Balboa tastes a bit better, but neither are as good as what is brewed at the Cervezaria de Panama.
Cervezaria de Panama, located in Chiriqui, is where Cerveza Panama is brewed, and it is also home of Cristal, a Pilsner. The brewmaster up at the Cervezaria de Panama is German, and Cerveza Panama is definitly a German style lager.
Another great thing about drinking local beers is that they are cheap! A returnable bottle is 35–40 cents, plus a 10 cent deposit. The bottles are 9.5 ounces. Twelve ounce cans cost about 55 cents, and are cheaper in larger supermarkets than they are in the local convenience stores.
Outside of Panama City beers is sold loose on the shelf in bottles or cans. Atlas and Balboa now have a blister-wrapped 12–pack, but only comes in 9.5 bottles or 12 oz cans. Twelve ounce bottle are pretty rare, but can be found from time to time in Panama City.
Cerveza Panama just got its third medal in a row as the best beer, period!
[...] is also a great place to get a good beer, or to retire. // [...]
we only allow Panama Beer into our hostel here in david panama, http://www.bambuhostel.com such a better tasting beer, balboa and atlas are watery and bland! We charge .75 a beer, but you can walk to a local bar and pay .50! cheap!!
[...] Atlas, Balboa and Soberana this is the only beer you need to try when you come visit this isthmus (For more info on these other beers read here). The only drawback is that you do pay a slight premium for this beer of a prideful name. [...]