Myriad Destination News May 2020

Many of us here at MMGY Myriad are beginning week nine or 10 of our teleworking quarantine, and though we’re all of course thankful for our health and the ability to work remotely – sometimes stressful situations like these just call for a refreshing drink. Being the travel-inspired team that we are, we looked to our international destinations for some out-of-the-box inspiration and thought we’d share some of these border-busting beers with you!

Read on below for the recommended brews from many of our represented destinations, and see more client updates – COVID-related and not!

BEERS AROUND THE WORLD:

• Macao: Macau Beer
  • Macau Beer is a light, European-style pale lager brewed in Macao, China. The refreshing taste perfectly accompanies Macao’s warm, sunny weather and delectable Macanese food (our favorite pairing is with fresh seafood from Nga Tim Cafe in Macao). While you can’t yet find this refreshing beer in the U.S., another similar-tasting beer from China is Tsing Tao beer, which can be purchased at most major alcohol retailers.
• Samoa: Taula Beer
  • Brewed in the heart of Polynesia, Taula is Samoa’s beverage of choice. It is a 100% locally owned and operated brewery, fully managed by Samoans. Taula produces four types of beers – from crisp, smooth lagers to full-body pilsners with a floral aroma and a pleasant balance of hoppiness. Taula is the Samoan name for “anchor,” honoring the voyaging ancestors that anchored their boats at these scatterings of beautiful, untouched islands to make its mountainous, lush land their home.
• Taiwan: Taiwan Beer
  • Taiwan Beer is an amber lager beer with a distinct taste produced by the addition of locally produced ponlai rice (“Formosa rice”) during the fermentation process. Like all large-market beers, the original Taiwan Beer brew is filtered and pasteurized. It is served cold and best complements Taiwanese and Japanese cuisine, especially seafood dishes such as sushi and sashimi. Taiwan beer produces brews with tropical fruit flavors including but not limited to: mango, pineapple and grape. You can easily find the Taiwan beer in most Asian supermarkets in North America. 
• Northern Territory, Australia: Great Northern
  • Great Northern, or “the beer for up here,” is a local’s favorite in the far north of Australia. Although it’s brewed in neighboring Queensland, Great Northern is also extremely popular in the Northern Territory. The light, crisp lager is perfect for warm nights in the Outback or enjoyed while admiring a sunset over Darwin Harbour. While Great Northern isn’t available to purchase in North America, the “super crips” lager flavor can be found in similar beers like Sierra Nevada’s Summerfest.
• Rwanda: Primus
  • Primus beer is brewed in Rwanda by Bralirwa Plc, a company that produces beers and soft drinks. Primus is a part of Rwandan culture beyond just a beer – similar to Coca-Cola in the United States – and can be found advertised on buildings and billboards, and it’s served in almost every bar and restaurant. While Primus isn’t available in the United States, a similar taste can be found from the beer’s parent company – Heineken. 
• Japan (Kyoto, Shizuoka, Kinosaki): Kirin Ichiban
  • Kirin is one of Japan’s most acclaimed and best-selling beers. The name means “first pressing” in Japanese, as the beer is made using only the very first wort from the beer-making process. The result is a smooth and mild beer that’s popular nationwide. Kirin can be purchased at beer and liquor stores like Total Wine, 1,000 Corks and more. 
• Papua New Guinea: SP Lager
  • Brewed in Papua New Guinea since 1952, SP Lager is PNG’s “favorite beer.” As the founding beer of SP Brewery and the official beer of the nation’s rugby league, the SP logo is somewhat of a PNG icon. The pale lager can be found anywhere from the capital city to the remote village shops. The flavorful brew is best sipped in the 330ML bottle and matching SP koozie – which quickly turns into a staple of your PNG vacation. 
• Dominica: Kubuli Beer
  • Kubuli is the award-winning, national beer of Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean. Kubuli is short for “Waitukubuli,” which is the name given to the island by the indigenous Amerindians, the Kalinago. Translated, it means “tall is her body,” as volcanic peaks and tropical rainforests dominate Dominica’s landscape. Kubuli is brewed with 100% natural spring water and fine malted barley, hops and yeast, making it a refreshing light pale lager to enjoy in the Caribbean heat. 
• Tenerife: TACOA
  • Located in El Sauzal in the north of the island, TACOA is the first microbrewery in the Canary Islands, and it is one of the oldest in all of Spain. TACOA beer is the product of a couple that is both German and Spanish and that met in Germany at the fall of the Berlin Wall. Both sharing a passion for craft brews, they moved to Tenerife to introduce the art and process of making beer to the Canary Islands. TACOA beer is an island favorite, as it is made with 100% natural ingredients and local products through a traditional artisanal process, making the final product rich with aroma and unique flavors

MYRIAD CLIENT NEWS – COVID-19:

• Samoa: As the country remains having no confirmed cases of COVID-19, Samoa’s prime minister eased the state of emergency orders on April 15. Samoa’s restaurants reopened for dining, and public transportation resumed, including inter-island ferry services between Upolu and Savaii – all with conditions and social distancing constraints.
• Dominica: Dominica recorded improvement on COVID-19 status throughout April with no new confirmed cases since April 30, 2020, according to the island’s Minister for Health. This is a testament of the government’s strategy for managing the crisis and the compliance of the public. As a result, the prime minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerritt, announced the easing of restrictions as follows: ppliance and electronic shops and clothing and textile shops can reopen for business; however, they must ensure that staff and customers wear face masks, physical distancing protocols are enforced as well as hand sanitization upon entry to and exit from the business place. Access to beaches and rivers will be granted for stress management from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays; however, there shall be no picnics, barbecues, loud music, parties or consumption of alcohol at beaches or rivers. Groups of no more than 10 people will be allowed, and physical distancing must be maintained.
• Tenerife, Spain: The Spanish government announced on April 30 its plan for gradually lifting the country’s lockdown following the state of emergency that came into effect on March 15. The restrictions will be lifted in four phases through June 22. To date, the number of positive cases detected on the island represents just 0.15% of the population (152 per 100,000 inhabitants), a much lower percentage than that of other parts of Spain. Madrid and Catalonia have the highest number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with more than 900 and 600 respectively.
• Rwanda: Rwanda took decisive action to limit the spread of COVID-19 to ensure the health of its citizens and, thankfully, the country has been mostly successful in this venture. Because of this, on May 4, 2020, Rwanda began to ease their stay-at-home and isolation restrictions after a promising drop in confirmed cases. President Paul Kagame commended all Rwandans for their efforts to abide by the recommended health measures but cautioned that the fight is not yet over. While all Rwandans will now be able to move about the country during the day, movements are prohibited from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. except with permission. The revised preventative measures in Rwanda include continued mass screening and testing for the virus nationwide, mandatory mask regulations in public, and strict health guidelines for all resumed services. More information can be found here.
• Northern Territory: The Northern Territory has begun the process of reopening by announcing a “roadmap to the new normal.” This roadmap still includes social distancing and community responsibility, but as of Friday, May 1, many previously restricted activities are now possible. This includes outdoor exercise with other people, outdoor gatherings like markets, weddings, funerals and religious gatherings, fishing, boating and sailing, and more. Full details of this plan can be found here.
• Japan (Kyoto, Shizuoka, Kinosaki): On May 4, Japan’s prime minister announced an extension to the nationwide lockdown and state of emergency until at least May 31. This state of emergency asks residents to refrain from nonessential outings and has resulted in the temporary closure of some businesses.
• Papua New Guinea: While borders remain closed to international travelers, Papua New Guinea is beginning to open back up domestically. After a brief and vigilant two-week stay-at-home order, travel bans have been lifted and domestic flights have resumed with updated safety regulations in place. Additional COVID-19 information in relation to Papua New Guinea tourism can be found here. 

AT HOME / DIY EXPERIENCES:

• Make Macanese Serradura: Serradura, also known as “sawdust pudding,” is an easy-to-make, fun dessert that can be found in almost every restaurant in Macao. To make this delicious sweet treat at home, all you need is 250 ml heavy whipping cream, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, and 1 package of shortbread cookies (traditional recipe calls for Marie biscuit cookies). Full instructions can be found here. 
• Make Taiwanese Bubble Tea: Invented in the 1980s, bubble tea is a beloved Taiwanese classic. Though there are dozens of different variations, at its core it’s a combination of tea, milk and the “bubbles” – which are little tapioca balls. Today, bubble tea is recognized as Taiwanese national drink, and you can also find bubble tea celebrations around the world. The Bubble Tea Festival in NYC is just one of the many. To try your hand at making your own bubble tea at home, take a look at this recipe.
• Dominica’s Coconut Rum Punch: Spice up your quarantine with Dominica’s famous coconut rum punch. This delicious combination of tropical flavors and Caribbean rum is perfect for the upcoming summer months. Grab some white rum and a few other ingredients and try your hand at this recipe!

TRAVEL FROM HOME / VIRTUAL TRAVEL:

• “Canaryfulness” Spotify Playlist: Take some time to reconnect with nature with a Spotify playlist created by Tenerife’s Volcano Teide Experience. Titled “Canaryfulness,” the songs by Spanish composer Samuel Aguilar remind us of the sounds of UNESCO World Heritage Site Teide National Park. Transport yourself mentally to the park’s lunar-like landscapes, the dunes, trails, waterfalls and cliffs. The songs will remind you of the smell of salt and warm trade winds and to the sound of water running through the ravines and the singing of birds. Listen Now!
• Northern Territory in the Movies: States and cities may be cautiously beginning to reopen, but for many international travel is still a dream activity for future months. For those pining for a trip down under, the NT can be experienced through many popular films where viewers can get a glimpse of the NT’s stunning scenery and diversity of experiences. You can experience the lush, tropical Top End region of the NT through hit films such as “Crocodile Dundee” and “Top End Wedding,” which explore various areas such as Kakadu National Park, Tiwi Islands, Darwin and Katherine. Throughout the filming of Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia,” starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, the cast was able to take over top sights of the NT’s capital city, Darwin, such as Stokes Hill Wharf and parts of the Darwin Harbour. Or, transport yourself to the stunning desert region called the Red Centre and get a taste of the quirky outback town called Alice Springs through the Academy Award-winning “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”

If you’re interested in featuring some of the above ideas in your upcoming stories, we’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out to [email protected]. 

We hope to work with you soon!