Income taxes (Details 5) - CLP ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
IncomeTaxes [Line Items]
Profit (loss) before tax		$ 185,621,574	$ 458,211,348	$ 196,474,395
Tax expense (income) at applicable tax rate		(50,117,825)	(123,717,064)	(50,100,971)
Reconciliation of accounting profit multiplied by applicable tax rates [abstract]
Other tax effects for reconciliation between accounting profit and tax expense (income)		9,105,693	(14,596,485)	4,071,180
Tax effect from change in tax rate		0	23,903	(50,071)
Tax effect of foreign tax rates		1,140,027	1,519,558	(1,700,857)
Tax effect of adjustments for tax of prior peiods		(103,809)	643,271	(585,257)
Income tax expense		$ (39,975,914)	$ (136,126,817)	$ (48,365,976)
Applicable tax rate		27.00%	27.00%	25.50%
Reconciliation of average effective tax rate and applicable tax rate [abstract]
Other tax rate effects for reconciliation between accounting profit and tax expense (income)		(4.91%)	3.19%	(2.07%)
Tax rate effect from change in tax rate	25.00%	30.00%	(0.01%)	0.03%
Tax rate effect of foreign tax rates		(0.61%)	(0.33%)	0.86%
Tax rate effect of adjustments for current tax of prior periods		0.06%	(0.14%)	0.30%
Average effective tax rate		21.54%	29.71%	24.62%

No definition available.

Name:	ccu_IncometaxesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ccu_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount that represents the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to adjustments for tax of prior periods.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ccu_TaxEffectOfAdjustmentsForTaxOfPriorPeiods
Namespace Prefix:	ccu_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The applicable income tax rate.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph c
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_81_c_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ApplicableTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The tax expense (income) divided by the accounting profit. [Refer: Accounting profit]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_AverageEffectiveTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount included in the determination of profit (loss) for the period in respect of current tax and deferred tax. [Refer: Current tax expense (income); Deferred tax expense (income)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-Subparagraph h
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_23_h&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 26
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 35
-Subparagraph b
-Clause viii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=26&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_35_b_viii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 79
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_79&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph c
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_81_c_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 82
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_82_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph c
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_81_c_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph B13
-Subparagraph g
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_B13_g&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount that represents the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Accounting profit; Applicable tax rate]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph c
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_81_c_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_OtherTaxEffectsForReconciliationBetweenAccountingProfitAndTaxExpenseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Tax rate effects, in aggregate, on the reconciliation between the average effective tax rate and the applicable tax rate that the entity does not separately disclose in the reconciliation. [Refer: Average effective tax rate; Applicable tax rate]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_OtherTaxRateEffectsForReconciliationBetweenAccountingProfitAndTaxExpenseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The profit (loss) before tax expense or income. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_28_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_23&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 103
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_103&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 102
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 5
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 33
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=5&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_33_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ProfitLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ReconciliationOfAccountingProfitMultipliedByApplicableTaxRatesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ReconciliationOfAverageEffectiveTaxRateAndApplicableTaxRateAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount that represents the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to changes in the tax rate. [Refer: Accounting profit]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TaxEffectFromChangeInTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount that represents the difference between the tax expense (income) and the product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s) that relates to foreign tax rates. [Refer: Accounting profit]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TaxEffectOfForeignTaxRates
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The product of the accounting profit multiplied by the applicable tax rate(s). [Refer: Accounting profit; Applicable tax rate]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TaxExpenseIncomeAtApplicableTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The tax rate effect on the reconciliation between the average effective tax rate and the applicable tax rate resulting from a change in tax rate. [Refer: Average effective tax rate; Applicable tax rate]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TaxRateEffectFromChangeInTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Tax rate effect on the reconciliation between the average effective tax rate and the applicable tax rate resulting from adjustments for the current tax of prior periods. [Refer: Average effective tax rate; Applicable tax rate; Adjustments for current tax of prior periods]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2019-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph c
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_81_c_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2019-03-27

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TaxRateEffectOfAdjustmentsForCurrentTaxOfPriorPeriods
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The tax rate effect on the reconciliation between the average effective tax rate and the applicable tax rate resulting from the application of foreign tax rates. [Refer: Average effective tax rate; Applicable tax rate]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TaxRateEffectOfForeignTaxRates
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration