The descendants of the original founders of La Tropical Brewery, established in 1888 in Havana, marked a significant milestone in Miami this week. They celebrated the reintroduction of the renowned Crystal Beer, widely known as "The Favorite of Cubans," after an arduous legal battle spanning nearly three decades. This victory enabled them to reclaim the brand rights and its commercial identity in the United States following a dispute with an American firm.
The celebration, dubbed "Family Reunion," took place in the Wynwood district at La Tropical Brewery, featuring a VIP ceremony at 6 PM, followed by a public opening at 8 PM.
A Victory for Cuban Heritage
The event was a gathering for the Cuban exile community to honor the return of a brand deeply intertwined with their heritage, one that was seized from them during the Fidel Castro regime's expropriation of businesses in 1960.
Manny Portuondo, a fifth-generation member of the Blanco Herrera family and great-great-grandson of Federico Kohly, expressed that the legal triumph represents far more than just a brand recovery.
"Our brand is coming home, and it's a source of immense pride, not just for my family, the Blanco Herrera family, who founded the brewery, but also for the broader Cuban community," Portuondo told EFE.
Bringing History Back Home
Portuondo highlighted that the victory was the culmination of a legal strategy launched in 1998 to reclaim trademarks and brand rights in various countries, preventing the Cuban government from commercially exploiting names that, according to the family, were confiscated post-revolution.
Addressing the gathered community, Portuondo emphasized the importance of reclaiming the brewery's legacy. "Our heritage and lineage belong to Cubans no matter where they are. It is our story. It is the community's story. We are bringing it back home, back to its founders, the Blanco Herrera family, who established this brewery by the Almendares River in 1888. And no one can take that from us," he declared.
On Instagram, Portuondo extended gratitude to the Miami community for celebrating their legal victory, which reclaimed their identity and heritage. "Our story belongs to us and the Cuban community, no matter where we may live. Cheers," he wrote.
Reviving a Classic Recipe
In 2021, Portuondo opened a new La Tropical Brewery in Wynwood, backed by the Dutch brewer Heineken. The venue honors the legacy of the original enterprise, featuring gardens inspired by the historic Havana location. However, at that time, they couldn't launch Crystal due to ongoing litigation over its commercial identity rights in the U.S.
Now, the relaunch has become a reality with a beer crafted from the original 1928 recipe. Portuondo explained that the beverage originated when Cuban consumers began favoring "lighter, more drinkable beers suitable for tropical climates, with slightly less alcohol."
A Long Legal Battle
The La Tropical Brewery was founded on July 21, 1888, in Havana by the Blanco Herrera family on Federico Kohly's land. In 1928, they introduced Crystal, a Caribbean pilsner with 4.9% alcohol content, tailored for tropical climates, featuring notes of honey and biscuit. The brand dominated over 60% of Cuba's beer market and gained international acclaim with awards in London, Brussels, and Paris.
Everything changed in 1960 when the regime expropriated the factory. The last brewmaster, Julio Fernández-Selles, was forced to surrender the plant at gunpoint. The owning families went into exile but never relinquished their legacy.
In 1998, the founders' descendants initiated a legal strategy to prevent the Cuban government from using the names "La Tropical" and "Crystal" in the U.S. market. The litigation culminated in July 2026 with a settlement that restored the family's control over Crystal's commercial identity in the U.S., including historical elements like the royal palm and the green, red, and white color scheme.
Portuondo explained, "We reclaimed the iconic symbols of Crystal. We recovered the color combination, which is recognized by Cuban consumers worldwide."
The businessman, whose father was a Cuban political prisoner for two years, downplayed the significance of the American company involved in the litigation, asserting that the real battle was always against the Cuban state.
"Since starting this project in '98, I've always seen these efforts as against Cuba, with the idea that they can take us out of Cuba, but they can never take Cuba out of our hearts," Portuondo stated.
A Symbol Beyond Beer
Portuondo asserts that Crystal represents more than just a beverage. "Crystal is a symbol that it is possible; you can take action, you can recover what was lost, and you can envision a future beyond Cuba," he said.
He also emphasized the duty of all Cuban generations to preserve their identity. "I believe that all Cuban generations have a responsibility to do whatever they can to maintain their heritage, their culture, and never let it be erased. For me, La Tropical is part of that effort," he affirmed.
Explaining the event's name, Family Reunion, Portuondo said it symbolizes the desire to reunite Cuban families separated by decades of exile. "What I want to do with Crystal and why La Tropical exists is the reunification of our identity, our heritage, our culture, and our family," he stated.
When asked about the possibility of producing La Tropical in a free Cuba, he responded, "That would be a beautiful way to close the last chapter of La Tropical, but who knows, it's beyond our control."
The Crystal case is part of a broader pattern of disputes over expropriated Cuban brands, similar to the Havana Club rum litigation between Bacardí and the Cuban state. In Cuba, the "Cristal" brand is currently produced by the state-owned Bucanero Brewery in Holguín, which the exiled founders view as an illegitimate appropriation of their business heritage.
Tropi Crystal has already become the official beer "Imported from Miami" of the Miami Marlins and a sponsor of the team's Cuban Heritage celebrations during the 2026 season, reflecting the brand's cultural significance within the Cuban-American community.
Key Questions About La Tropical's Revival
What does the relaunch of Crystal Beer signify for the Cuban community?
The relaunch symbolizes a victory for Cuban heritage and identity, representing the reclaiming of a cultural legacy that was seized during the Cuban revolution.
How was the original recipe of Crystal Beer preserved?
The original 1928 recipe was maintained by the descendants of the founders, allowing it to be recreated once the legal rights to the brand were secured.
What role does Tropi Crystal play in the Miami community today?
Tropi Crystal serves as a cultural icon, celebrating Cuban heritage and identity, and is featured as the official beer of the Miami Marlins and their Cuban Heritage events.