Tour of the Baden Baden Factory in Campus-du-Jordane: Production Process and Tasting

Baden Baden is one of the iconic places in Campus-du-Jordane. This craft brewery was founded right there and has been opening its doors to beer lovers since 2008. Guests are given the opportunity to learn about the production process and then taste all the brand's varieties.

There are two options for visiting the factory: the standard tour and the harmonized tour. The first allows tasting the entire range of beers, while the second includes snacks suitable for the drinks. The author shares details of their full tour.

The place where the 'magic' happens has remained unchanged since the brand's founding in 1999. Previously, the factory functioned as a forge, and later friends Aldo Bergamasco, Alberto Ferreira, and Marcelo Moss joined with restaurateur José Vasconcelos, owner of Choperia Baden Baden in the traditional Capivari district, to start craft beer production.

It turned out to be successful. The beverage, produced using 'mountain water'—an early marketing strategy—left the mountain, conquered São Paulo, and soon appeared in markets across Brazil.

Today, Baden Baden is part of the Heineken group portfolio, which acquired the brewery in 2017. The group releases new varieties annually, and for the winter of 2026, they presented a coffee-infused beer.

Before starting the tasting or any alcoholic event, it is important to know: the tour is only available to individuals over 18 years old. It is recommended to arrive and leave the location by taxi or ride-hailing app, as such services usually operate only in the central areas of Campus-du-Jordane. For drivers or non-drinkers, a tasting of Heineken 0.0, the non-alcoholic version, is offered.

After receiving the ticket, the author entered through the door, passed through a curtain, and found himself in a small room with poufs. Seemingly, that was it? The curtain at the end of the room hinted that there might be something else behind it. Two projectors were in the room; guests sat on the poufs, after which a video started, telling the history of beer: from the first records in Mesopotamia about 6,000 years ago to the evolution of production methods developed in Central Europe.

When the video ended, the lights came on, and the curtains opened like in a theater. Through the glass, the factory was visible with workers in white clothing from head to toe and huge metal tanks. On the other side, in the pouf room, attention was directed to a large table where samples of barley, malt, and yeast were laid out.

A guide named Polly demonstrated the production process using an interactive wall. When she pressed buttons on the panel, the projectors showed animations of the brewery's simplified 'assembly line': during fermentation, the beverage bubbled in the tank; during aging, the counter showed the days the liquid rested; and finally, the beer was bottled. The guide drew attention to the penultimate stage, when the beverage acquires notes of orange, passion fruit, and even coffee during maturation.

On adjacent tables, aromatic domes allowed visitors to sense the sensory profile of the beer. The ingredients making up the beverages were under glass domes, and pressing a rubber pump directed concentrated aromas into a small metal cone. One just needed to bring their nose close to smell the main notes of each variety.

Then came the grand finale. A door opened, leading to the tasting and harmonization hall. The atmosphere resembled a bar: dim lighting, high stools, a long counter, and small tables where groups of four gathered. Each visitor was given two trays: one with cold cuts, the other with five small glasses of beer.

The author admits that he had no special expectations. Beer has always been a reason for 'Friday mood' with friends—something drunk in large quantities, served in American-style glasses, and accompanied by laughter.

At the Baden Baden factory, every sip turned into a ritual. First, the author tried Crystal, a light and pale Pilsen beer, which paired well with Brie cheese. Golden won him over with its cinnamon flavor, perfectly suited for sweets and fruits. IPA became his colleagues' favorite due to its 6.4% alcohol content and reddish hue, which pairs excellently with meat.

They left the hall feeling more energized. The beer performed its magic and facilitated conversation. The tour concludes at the Baden Baden shop. There, one can purchase glasses, hoodies, caps, accessories, and, of course, the brand's beer to take home. To extend the outing, there is a cafe and tables in front of the factory where one can order beer, snacks, and treats. The author notes that his rating increased, and now the hardest part will be returning to a large liter.

Address: Avenida Matheus Costa Pinto, 1653, Vila Santa Cruz (2.5 km from the city entrance). Time: The tour with tasting runs daily every hour from 10:00 to 15:00. The tour with harmonized tasting is held daily at 17:00 (and also on Friday and Saturday at 16:00). Cost: 90 reais for the standard tour and 150 reais for the harmonized tour; tickets are purchased on the Sympla platform.