Written by I really can’t believe that we’re already in May of 2010! Cinco de Mayo is here again, and as you know, its something of a beer drinking holiday – at least here in the States.
I don’t want to rehash what Cinco de Mayo is all about because we covered that in 2008. Last year we learned quite a bit about what people’s favorite Mexican beers were, and I discovered that there were many more Mexican beers to enjoy than Corona! (Feel free to add your favorite to the list on that post!)
So, what to do this year?
Well, considering that we like to blog about beer that isn’t always considered mainstream, I wanted this post to shine some light on unsung quality beers from Mexico that maybe we haven’t heard about. I guess my question is, does anything other than Pilsners come out of Mexico?
I’m just wondering if there is more to Mexican beer than pilsners of varied quality, and I’m asking from the position that I simply do not know.
Does Mexico have anything like the craft beer industry in the United States? It just seems to me that most of the beer produced and exported from Mexico is a variation of the pilsner which was developed by German immigrants to Mexico in the 1800′s.
I’ve heard it said that the first thing German settlers would build in a new country was a church, and the second thing they would build was a brewery! This is evident in other German-inspired beers like Tsing Tao Lager out of China, Singha from Thailand, and obviously many beers from Mexico. These beers, for the most part, are derived from German brewing traditions and methods – some being more faithful to the Reinheitsgebot than others.
So, is Mexican beer a one-trick pony, or is there more to Mexican beer that we just don’t know about or see here in the States? Obviously there are the exceptions like Negra Modello and Dos Equis Amber, but mostly its pilsners, right? Right?
Anyway, have a happy and save Cinco de Mayo!
I think ‘one trick pony’ is a bit harsh, but I hear where you’re coming from Scott.
And your comparison with Thai and Chinese beers is valid, but I think it’s worth going back to one of the original taglines for this site “it’s about the beer” .
Even if it’s a one trick pony is the beer any good? and I would have to suggest that some are good – I’m thinking Dos Equis, Sympatico and Negro Modelo – while some – and I’m thinking Corona – quite frankly taste as though they’d been previously drunk and (ahem) recycled.
.-= BobtheBrit´s last blog ..The Number of the Beast =-.
Bob, I agree it is ‘all about the beer’, I’m just commenting on the seeming lack of variation. As you mention, there is a range in quality which is to be expected from any beer-producing nation, I just don’t see a range in style so much.
Of course, I’m looking to be enlightened.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Can Cannon – Gotta Love It! =-.
So my favorites (based on availability) are Negra Modelo and Dos Equis Amber. Most everything else has been a Mexican interpretation of the light lager. Not my thing. However, next time you plan a vacation south of the border, this list should come along with you.
.-= Big Tex´s last blog ..Riverside Delta Homebrew =-.
@Big Tex – thanks for posting that – I knew there was more to it than light lagers! I guess the problem is we don’t see any of those other beers here in the States so I for one had a myopic view of Mexican beers.
I suppose its like what people thought (or still do think) that American beer is all pretty much of the Bud and Coors strain not realizing the amazing variety we really have.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Samuel Smith’s Famous Taddy Porter =-.
Hey Scott, I actually was going to post something similar for Cinco de Mayo. I was trying to come up with good Mexican beers, but to no avail.
Then I thought I’d just make a list of beer that might be Mexican-themed (i.e. Rogue Chipotle). Alas, I didn’t end up writing anything.
Still, I very much agree that there aren’t many good beers that come out of Mexico. I will say, however, that I do enjoy Dos Equis with a lime while dining on some fine Mexican food. For all the good food that comes out of Mexico, I guess we’ll just have to call it even.
Thanks Daniel. I’ll freely admit I don’t know everything about beer, so the intent of the post was not to insult, but to get info from people who might know something I didn’t. Big Tex linked to a page with a nice list of Mexican Beers, but sadly it seems none are available here. Still, its good to know there is more to Mexican beers than the lagers we all see.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Lomza Polish Beer – This Week’s Lawnmower Beer =-.