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I’ll be honest. I was dreading having to review the Dos Equis “Lager Especial” based on the unsatisfying experience I had with the Dos XX Amber awhile back. But, I wanted to give this Mexican beer its fair time and with Cinco de Mayo soon approaching, I figured it was as good a time as any to bite the bullet!
I was also afraid that the Dos XX Lager would be another Corona or (even worse) Tecate clone, but I was actually a little surprised at what I discovered. (Maybe having just cut the grass helped a bit too!)
The Dos XX Lager is very typical in every way one might expect from a Mexican style beer. It poured from its green glass bottle into my glass a very clear and pale golden color and creating a half inch or so of a bubbly white head that was gone in the blink of an eye!
This beer smelled mildly sweet, slightly grainy, but not much else.
This Mexican beer was definitely on the thin side, but that wasn’t a surprise really. The Dos Equis Lager was light and crisp, and it also tasted slightly sweet but like the aroma nothing really jumped out as special.
So, I guess what I’m getting at is the Dos Equis Lager is an average lager, but it isn’t really too bad! As I mentioned, I had just finished cutting the grass and was waiting for my burger(s) to finish up on the grill when I had this beer. All the 
technical deficiencies aside, I found this beer to “hit the spot” perfectly today and was glad I tried it. I thought it was easily drinkable in its ‘averageness’, and while still very similar, I think its a notch or two above the Corona or Tecate lagers I mentioned earlier.
Still, if I were out shopping for a Mexican beer specifically, for maybe a buck more (if that) you could get yourself a six pack of Pacifico or the Negra Modelo which are much better beers.
Rating: 
Did you like the Dos Equis Lager? If not, what’s your favorite Mexican Beer? Why not leave a comment and share with the class?
The last time I had this beer was about six years ago. I remember feeling ripped off, because it tasted like crappy american beer but cost 1.50 extra. I think I would give it the same rating.
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The amber is better. It’s actually pretty drinkable on tap. In the past, I’ve added a touch of salt to this beer and it seemed a little improved.
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I agree with Micheal . . . the amber is far superior to the lager, and by far I mean on a scale of 1-10 for Mexican beers, 1 being Tecate and 10 being Cucapa, I’d say the lager is about a 3, 4 max, while the lager, is probably an 8 or so.
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Personally… I really like Dos XX.
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Sounds like an easy drinking beer. They’re OK for quick sips on a hot day, (especially after mowing the lawn), but should be priced accordingly.
If I have to pay a premium, I expect bang for my buck in some respect. Maybe I’ll wait until I’m actually in Mexico to try this one.
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I LOVE Dos Equis! mmmm. It has the best refreshing taste. Way better than Corona.
OMFG ITS A GREAT LAGER one of my favorite beers. I like the Lager 0 fold over the amber. Go back to ur budweisers and stop hatin on my Dos XX
THIS IS THE BEST DAMN BEER I HAVE EVER DRANK!! AND IS NOTHING LIKE AMERICAN BEER!! DOS XX IS THE BEST!!! SORRY NOTHING AVERAGE ABOUT It… AND IS THE ONLY BEER I DRINK!! LOVE IT!!!
i had dos equis xx in Cozumel Mexico last week and it is way better that corona. very refreshing
I’m having Dos Equis lager for the first time and I’ve got to say “excelente.” Much better than Corona. A little more bite but smooth at the same time.
@rich – nice. I had a Dos XX with my recent Chelada, and also some with my fajitas tonight @ my local excellent Tex-Mex place!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Mi Chelada =-.
to be honest i LOVE the Dos Equis Amber.. My fav beer by far
.-= dos equis´s last blog ..Interesting Space Facts That Are Out Of This World =-.
I’ll put it like this: I HATED beer and Dos Equis Lager was my breakthrough beer. It went down smooth and the taste was very tolerable. Now I’ve moved on to the Irish brands and even went for the Arrogant Bastard to be tough, but Dos Equis kinda took my virginity here.
For that, I shall never forget it. I wanna cry.
Is this beer non-alcoholic because it suckls so bad and is so weak, I had to re-examine the package. There is no listing of alcohol percentage- I think they are faking us all out- it is awful!!!
I’d agree its pretty weak, but its a pale lager so that’s part of the definition I think! Its definitely not a non-alcoholic beer, though I’m not sure how strong it is.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale =-.
If this is the best beer you have ever tasted…Get out of the house more. Its is very light on taste and slightly better than becks priemere light. The best thing about this beer is the TV commercials.
I picked up some dos equis today on the way home. In my opinion, drinking dos equis is a lot like drinking water, I won’t buy it again.
@had – you could have certainly have done better! I find that the Dos XX is more tolerable with food, and if someone else has bought it for me!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Poll – New Year Beer Resolution =-.
i like all beer but i drink n/a beer too! would it be great if dos equis was to 1st great mexican beer tohave and n/a (dark or amber)!
@rick – I’m not sure there would be a great demand for such a product, but who knows!
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Just retired to arizona bought a 12pack last nite, going back to get more of dosxx.I like it alot. thanks Mexico.
Rock on Mike! Enjoy your retirement!
I’m pretty disappointed with this beer and won’t buy it again. It tastes really cheap and ordinary.
@david – I think ordinary is a good description. Sometimes, ordinary is good though depending on the situation. Thanks for the comment!
Dos Equis isn’t my favorite, but served with lime it’s probably one of the most refreshing drinks after a long day. It’s easy going down and is very ‘drinkable.’
It’s light and crisp, so if you want a more heavy tasting beer, Dos XX is not for you.
Adam – I think I made a clelada with Dos XX that was pretty good! Nice drink for the Summertime!
http://thebrewclub.com/2010/08/06/mi-chelada/
I responded to your Tecate review this evening as well Scott. Dos Equis is my personal favorite amongst Mexican Beers available in Buffalo,NY hands down. I have converted completely to this from Coors Light. I have never bought the “Amber” Dos Equis. To me, Mexican beer should be light and smooth. I tend to associate Amber with cold Northern Environments, not Mexico.
As cheesy as this sounds, I consider Dos Equis a “Classy Coors Light.” It has a sweet kick to it but goes down just as smoothly as Coors. The 4.5% ABV certainly makes it go down like water. Typical 12 pack at stores in Western NY runs $12.99 usually. It’s not high society beer but it is above the standards of these overexposed annoying American Beers one sees on tv constantly during sporting events.
I discovered Dos Equis a couple years ago by accident and immediately gave up Coors Light as my primary “chill at home” beer. I was at the supermarket and had a 6 for $9.99 special on foreign beers where you can mix and match. I had recently seen the Dos Equis commercial with the old man on tv and figured it was worth a try. Like I said, a classier version of Coors Light with a sweeter taste.
@Chris – Again, thanks for taking the time to share that! Dos XX isn’t too bad, I’ll have it with Tex-Mex and I’d agree its better than Corona and the standard American brews like Coors and Bud.
Ideally Scott, Dos Equis for me is much better with New Mexican food as opposed to Tex Mex. The green chile in Albuquerque blows the cookie cutter Tex Mex stuff in Phoenix away since I have ties to Phoenix as well as Buffalo. It’s unfortunate that Phoenix has the commercialized Tex Mex diners as opposed to NM which is more of the true Mexican spirit IMO.
Thanks, Chris. I’m guessing in the NYC area where I’m from its more of the cookie-cutter Tex-Mex food. (I like it!)
@Scott, i have not tried dos Equis, but upon this review i will certainly give it a try. thanks for the review
@SamS, I’m glad you liked the review, but with only two stars, I don’t think I gave it a ringing endorsement! (Its much better with Tex-Mex than alone.)
It is a pity that the reviewer can’t be more reflective or at least less biased (he knows and expects and thus confirms his judgement as he sips). His comments are both vague and smug and sloppily written. How, for example, is Pacifico, my choice for dull, thinnish beer, or the overcooked Moderno “much better’ than Dos Equis? He mentions sweeness but barely analzyes it: Maybe the sweetness is the heart of the issue: IF you like DOS XX’ sweetness, you pick up a slight fruitiness with a lovely, if faint, flinty aftertaste, the kind I might find in a simple white Bordeux. Clearly this is an impression, my impression, and if I were to write a blog I might write it as I tasted, concentrating on each flavor, checking and rechecking my judgment but even then I might not write a blog, at least not with the lazy certainty of this reviewer. Perhaps I could only feel confident after drinking it in blind tasting with Pacifico and the others. The point is that this proliferation of good natured, sloppy blog writing is chocking our brains.
Now, back to my beer, German beer that taste like a loaf of bread, toasted in sand. Yum..
WM – Of all the beers on earth to protest my crappy writing, I’m dumbfounded as to why someone as brilliant as you, wasted so much of your life reading and commenting on a beer like this. Flinty aftertaste. So that’s what I was missing about Dos XX. :-/ You’ve actually tasted flint? Really?
Mmm, yeah. Bread toasted in sand. Sounds great. Except you don’t mention what type of bread, and most importantly, what type of sand.
You may be right, but you come off like a total douchebag.
Get over yourself Scott. Dos Equis Larger Especial s a fine Pilsner. Comparing it to Negra Modelo is senseless. They are not in the same class, Mr. Obvious. Were you cutting the grass or smoking it? A brew isn’t inferior because it goes down smoothly. You, sir, are a beer snob.
Thanks Joe. Beer snob is what I’m aiming for. God forbid anyone has an opinion right?
First, I don’t think I compared it to Negra Modelo, I just suggested NM as an alternative “Mexican” beer to try, not as another Pilsner. I guess that’s a little less obvious.
I’m not sure I said it was inferior to anything because of its smoothness either, in fact it made it more enjoyable for me considering its just a so-so beer.
Probably a thing to keep in mind is that Mexican beers are indigenous to warm or hot climate region where it’s freshness and drinkability are most appreciated. It’s not expected for folks that grew up in the north east or cold regions to really understand or appreciate these kind of beers. Likewise us down south cannot understand European pub style brews or new English micro brews. Mexican as well as many beers from Latin America follow the same brewing techniques not because of a lack of crafting knowledge but because of traditions passed on down from our fathers to us which strangely enough weren’t even Mexican but German brewing techniques.
@Julio – strange how the people who live in very non ‘down south’ Germany seem to understand the style quite well.
Anyway, thanks for clearing that up. I’ll stick to the European pub style brews and the English micro brews from here on out so i don’t get so confused anymore.
Yea mexico has a strong German influence. Having been a part of the holy Roman empire by way of Spain and Austria for so long left us with that. or am I causing more confusion.
This Stuff Is Great!!!-Taste like a smoother Newcastle. The Plain Lager (not the Amber–never tried that)—I had a bottle at ‘Chili’s’ and it was ‘smooth and good’.
If you want a string beer (drink some Colt 45)—–this is probably the best tasting beer I have ever had!!—ALSO Drink 2 or 3 and try driving home (for all those who say it is a weak beer—–)