Reelin' in the Years of Fishing in Belize with Belikin Beer

Warm sun and a cold beer—is there anything more inherently Belizean whilst on a boat? Belikin, the flagship beer of Belize Brewing Company and our main partner of the Blue Water Classic fishing tournament, is not only a symbol of Belizean heritage and culture but also an active player in all things local. In fact, Belikin Beer has been proudly produced in Belize by Belizeans and for Belizeans since 1969; this legacy makes Belikin authentically Belizean. As a proud partner of the upcoming 14th Belikin Blue Water Classic on October 20-21, 2023, Belikin is helping to recast fishing as the accessible, life-changing sport it has always been.

How Fishing Casts a Wider Net For Belizean Culture

“Fishing, like drumming and carnival, is a core element of Belizean culture. A pastime that Belikin is happy to be a part of,” says Cindy Blanco, Beverages Brand Manager of Bowen & Bowen. “It’s not so much the fishing [itself], but more so the experience of being out at sea with friends and family, enjoying Belize’s resources sustainably and responsibly, and enjoying an ice-cold Belikin in the process, too.”

After all, the outdoors is for everyone; it’s an experience that every Belizean is owed by birthright. And through sports, gives each of us an opportunity to immerse ourselves in it—in a living-history-type atmosphere— where we can take time to learn, speak to, and grow with others who rely on the environment too. Through Belikin’s support of the Belize Game Fish Association, we can cast a wider net in Belize for sportfishing to be more accessible to all, but the brand’s reach extends beyond our sport alone. For example, the Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge is another branded sports event that pays homage to the rich traditions of Belizean culture and unites in a celebration of community, with an underlying theme of environmental conservation for Belize’s riverways. In give to 10 years from now, we at BGFA hope to see the Blue Water Classic grow in scale as La Ruta Maya has! 

Not to mention, fishers—especially those who are full-time guides and advocates for getting Belizeans outdoors—are likely on the cutting edge of conservation.  Sportfishing attracts those who care less about making the best catch, but more about preserving the ecosystem that allows us to fish for generations to come. “We at Bowen & Bowen strongly believe that when one succeeds, we all succeed. That’s why we invest in various community projects that are designed to lift up the citizens of Belize and the communities in which we operate.” 

Cheers To Sportfishing With The Beer of Belize

All proceeds from this event will support the mission of Belize Game Fish Association, a registered Non-Profit Corporation committed to advocating for the preservation of Belize’s marine heritage by providing the sportfishing community with unique opportunities and social interactions for businesses, residents, and visitors alike through events such as the 14th Belikin Blue Water Classic. 

The 13th Belikin Blue Water Classic was also held at Old Belize, Belize City in 2022.

On October 20-21, 2023, the family-friendly and public event sets out from the Cucumber Beach Marina with a shotgun start at 6:00 AM sharp Friday morning, vying for the win over the course of the two-day event. The event is free, with free parking available inside Old Belize, Belize City. With a simultaneous pop-up shop of local Belizean artists alongside Old Belize’s onsite attractions like Kukumba Beach and the Old Belize Food Market, anglers will return to the docks daily for weigh-in. Spectators can take in the daily results and hear from anglers about their successes or struggles as they cross the stage and display their best catch of the day! 

“The Blue Water Classic is a celebration of fishing culture, of local Belizean art with our prize table, and a community,” a BGFA rep shares, “Adding Belikin Beer makes it even more of a celebration.” This October 20 and 21, 2023, raise a glass with old friends, or make new ones at the 14th Belikin Blue Water Classic Fishing Tournament in Belize City!