Belikin: How The Beer of Belize Became The Beer of Sportsfishing

Belikin is more than just a beer. It’s what brings us together. 

Echoing that ethos, Belikin Beer is once again our partner and primary sponsor of the Annual Blue Water Classic Fishing Tournament, continuing the brand’s long-standing support of sports, entertainment, and communities of Belize.  

“Belikin Beer is delighted to support the BGFA with its annual offshore saltwater fishing tournament, The Blue Water Classic, and promoting the sport of fishing throughout Belize since 1987,” a rep shares. 

The Belize Game Fish Association—an association of fishermen and fisherwomen in Belize—is a registered Non-Profit Corporation with 100+ conservation-minded members. 

“This tournament has been passed down through the generations of competitors and members who make up today’s BGFA. The focus of the Belize Game Fish Association is good clean competition, sportsmanship, and comradery—something our fathers and grandfathers have always enjoyed.” 

Including co-founder Sir Barry Bowen. 

Pictured: Barry Bowen of Belikin (left) congratulates Team Freedom in BGFA’s 7th Annual Belikin Blue Water Fishing Tournament (1999).

“This tournament has been passed down through the generations of competitors and members who make up today’s BGFA. The focus of the Belize Game Fish Association is good clean competition, sportsmanship, and comradery—something our fathers and grandfathers have always enjoyed.” 

In October 1999, Sir Barry Bowen offered fifty thousand dollars to the man or woman participating in the 7th Annual Belikin Spectacular Blue Water Fishing Tournament that could break the current blue marlin record of four hundred ninety-two pounds.

You’ll often find a Belikin beer onboard any fishing boat as anglers pass the hours trolling for pelagic sportfish. After all, Belikin Beer is brewed for Belizeans, by Belizeans, and Onli Eena Belize.

Not only does Belikin’s funding as the BGFA’s primary sponsor keep sport fisherfolk vying for prize money in 2022, but will also bring visibility and support to the BGFA’s vision and mission. In fact, the Belize Game Fish Association is considered a leader in best practices when it comes to sportfishing, working with both the conservation community and government to ensure the stability of our marine resources. 

Besides their own corporate social responsibility efforts, like the most recent 300+ mangrove seedlings planted behind Wesley College in Belize City, Belikin’s own employees can be seen enjoying sport fishing now and then—including their Brewmaster, Nolan R. T. Michael! 

It’s officially tournament weekend! Pictured: sponsors of the 13th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic fishing tournament.

Belikin Beer has been proudly produced in Belize by Belizeans and for Belizeans since 1969. As a key corporate citizen in Belize, we are proud to have Belikin as our main sponsor. 

“For over half a century – Belikin is The Beer of Belize.” It’s also the beer of the 13th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic. The Belize Game Fish Association thanks the Belize Brewing Company for making our fishing tournament possible!