The Spanish Conquistadores arriving in America in the first few decades of 1500 learned from the Guarani Indians about the bitter and at the same time delicious taste of an exotic drink prepared with the fragmented leaves of yerba-maté, Ilex paraguariensis, which was served in a small gourd with a reed straw. In the Guarani language, it is called caá-I or “water of the delicious herb” and according to the Indians, it provides a sense of well-being to all those who try it. The flavor of this drink invented by the Indians has crossed frontiers among South American countries, acquiring versions such as the tererê and the chimarrão.


Inspired by this tradition, Dado Bier brewery is betting on innovation and launching the first beer in Brazil to be made from yerba-maté, Dado Bier Ilex. With its newest creation, Dado Bier, a benchmark on the Brazilian market among specialty breweries, is looking to capture the essence for a beer with this typical South American herb. Dado Bier Ilex reveals the characteristic flavor of yerba-maté in a beer that surprises the palate. Set to be launched in Brazil in December, Ilex is Dado Bier’s first export beer and should arrive on the Uruguayan and Argentinean markets in 2008. The brewery is negotiating with the main Argentinean and Uruguayan import companies.



Over a year and a half of research, master brewer Carlos Bolzan sought to unite in a single formula the best qualities of yerba-maté and beer. This resulted in a balanced beer that maintains the characteristic bitterness of the drink while adding notes of the aroma and flavor of yerba-maté, and a unique coloration. In its essence, Dado Bier Ilex also brings the stimulating, energizing properties which are some of yerba-maté’s basic characteristics. A mixed brew that surprises the palate – in the right measure – for those who enjoy a quality drink.



Dado Bier Ilex will arrive on the Argentinean and Uruguayan markets in long neck bottles and in a special kit, perfect for gifts, that is sure to be a hit with beer fans. Each kit contains a cup in the format of a chimarrão cuia (drinking gourd), exclusively designed by Ruvolo Crystal Works, and comes in a leather base created by Gueto EcoDesign, a firm specialized in developing sustainable products. In Brazil, the kit will cost approximately US$ 20.

Dado Bier Family of Specialty Beers

With 13 years of brewing history in Brazil, Dado Bier’s trajectory is marked with innovation and quality. The first microbrewery in the country, founded in 1994, it was also the first to comply with the Purity Law dating back to 1516. Currently, their beer portfolio includes: Dado Bier Original, Dado Bier Weiss, Dado Bier Royal Black, Dado Bier Red Ale, Dado Bier Belgian Ale and Dado Bier Ilex.

DaDo Bier Original: this is a special Pilsen style beer, with low fermentation and medium alcohol content (4.5%vol.). It is prepared with mineral water and a blend of specially selected imported malted grains. Its refreshing flavor is the perfect match for grilled meats, seafood, sushi, chicken and salads.

DaDo Bier Weiss: this is a special high fermentation beer, prepared with mineral water and specially selected malted wheat and barley. It has a light color and medium alcohol content (5.0%vol.). With its versatile flavor, it combines excellently with seafood, salads and spicy dishes.

DaDo Bier Royal Black: this is a special Bock style beer, with low fermentation and higher alcohol content (5.5%vol.). It is prepared with mineral water and imported dark malted grain. Its stout flavor goes well with pastas, meats, sweet sauces and desserts.

DaDo Bier Red Ale: this is a special high fermentation beer with red coloration and medium alcohol content (5.3%vol.). It is prepared with some of the world’s best hops, mineral water and a blend of three types of malted barley. Its outstanding aroma and flavor go well with meats and seasoned dishes.

DaDo Bier Belgian Ale: this is a strong, very special beer with high fermentation, golden color and high alcohol content (8.5%vol.). It is prepared with imported Belgian yeast and some of the world’s best hops, mineral water and a specially selected blend of five types of malted grains. Non-filtered, it has a long production process and undergoes double fermentation. In this way, it obtains its outstanding aromas and flavors.

DaDo Bier Ilex: this is the first beer produced in Brazil using yerba-maté. Prepared with Ilex paraguariensis (yerba-maté), hops, mineral water and a blend of carefully selected imported malted grain. This is a genuinely unique beer with greenish coloration, low fermentation and high alcohol content (7%vol.).

Dado Bier