Favorite Mexican beer...

[Brewdepest]

I love me some Negra Modelo. This was my favorite beer period for a couple of years. I also like this brew called "Victoria" (???...any relation to...)
I don't think I ever wanna swallow another Dos Equis again, either Claro or Oscurro. Just got sick of it. And Corona doesn't even exist to me.

[Fast_Eddy]

I would have to say my favorite is "Indio" in the vienna-mexican side and "Bohemia" in the mexican-pils side.

[fretlessman71]

I've never heard of the oscurro version of Dos Equis. I only know of the standard and the amber lagers. Where could I get this ale? Is it any good (meaning, are you sick of it because it sucks, or because you've just had too much)? VERY curious....

LIke the Amber ok, but Negra Modelo does it for me more than any of the others. Now, since I'm an ale guy, if I tried the XX ale I might change my mind.... or not... who knows...

[hopjack13]

it's not an ale , they're both lagers , im not sure what shes talking about oscurro??? but claro means clear so maybe thats their special lager and the other must be the amber (i think)
but there's only two kinds of dos equis that i know of(the amber n special lager) i have some friends who are mexican and rumor of a tres equis in mexico but i've never seen it down there......probably just a rumor i think, then agian i've only been as far south as ensanada.

[Kiltlifter]

Yummmmmmmm ...

I had a bottle of it many years ago in Nuevo Larado so I don't think finding it is a function of how far into Mexico you travel.

[chazwicke]

I know that year ago there was a Tres Equis from Mexico. Do not know if it is still made. I am not a fan of most mexican brews, however, Dos Equis has that Euro - Vienna pedigree and probably is a cut above the rest. Just as many of the South African beers have the Dutch - Anglo heritage.

[Nealz]

Mmmmm... Tres Equis. Very nice indeed, if you can find it. My local Trader Joe's sometimes carries it, sometimes not.

-Nealz

[MagTheGrate]

What about the pacifico? kicks corona's booty imho.

[hopjack13]

pacifico??? 2 close 2 water for me. it's like making luv in a canoe.

[MagTheGrate]

not saying i LIKE it... just sayin it's better then corona!

and, it's my number favorite source of bottles for re-filling. good thick heavy brown glass. not like the cheap ones us Americans make.

[hopjack13]

well, i'd have to agree if ever had to choose one , if i was stuck in a bar in mexico and it was corona or pacifico it'd be the pacifico.

[steveh]

Originally posted by MagTheGrate
not saying i LIKE it... just sayin it's better then corona!

And that ain't sayin' much! But I'll give it to you for the bottle usage! ;)

And Hopjack, if you're stuck in a bar in Mexico, you can bet that they'll at least have Tecate in cans!

S.

[warmstorage]

while i am am proud member of the "big beer" club, and can name about 300 beers i'd rather have than a light, Mexican lager, i nevertheless chose Negro Modelo, and have this hot tip:

if you walk across the border at Tecate, it's both VASTLY more pleasant than at San Ysidro (San Diego), and you can walk to the Tecate brewery, where a nice, if menacing, looking man at a gate gives you a free ticket to walk up to the bar, where the give you a FREE Tecate. by no means great beer, but on a hot day in the industrial desert of northern Mexico, it's drinkable.

-warmstorage

[hopjack13]

and sadly i know alot of people who consider corona a "good" premium beer.....uh yeah..if you like corn flavored water!

[Theakston]

I voted "Other" for CASTA. They make great beers. Better than a lot of American Micro's. Based in Monterey Mexico. Their beers are not typical of Mexican bland lagers. Mostly Belgian style Ales.

http://www.cervezacasta.com.mx/

If I'm at my local Mexican Restaurant. I usually opt for Bohemia (pleasantly hoppy pils) Or Dos Equis Amber or Negra Modalo (Vienna style).

[Brewdepest]

The "oscurro" is the dark. In Mexico, nearly every bar has both, with the light labelled "claro" and the dark, "oscurro," of course. While living there I just got used to referring to them that way. I'm probably wrong in calling the dark one an ale. They don't suck, I drank too many and I don't think I can really stomach that any more.

I should have added Bohemia. That's right below Negra Modelo.

Sol....eh. Pacifico...for some reason, I don't remember ever trying it, though I do remember seeing billboards for it everywhere. Kinda seemed like the "buttwiper" of Mexican beers to me.

[GlugGlug]

Negra Modelo is about the highest quality mexi brew that I can recall drinking.
Bohemia is good but since i'm losing my enthusiasm for Pilsener-y beer, I dunno ...

I will have to agree with the guy who posted about being in the hot industrial northern mexico desert and drinking cold, fresh Tecate... it's decent under those conditions ... It really is .
I was in Tijuana few years ago and Tecate is ... everywhere of course and I had a few and was happy .

I'm sure there are other Mexi brews that are better but I have not been made aware of them .

[warmstorage]

Theakston:

Do you know where their beers are available in Tijuana, and/or even Tecate? (I looked at the web page, but it only noted general cities/departments.) Is it a liquor store thing, or grocery store? Any tips would be much appreciated -- this stuff sounds fascinating. I'm in San Diego, and will probably go straight away to get some as soon as I know where to go. (Somehow, I'm guessing that cruising Av. de Revolucion won't be too productive.)

-dan

Originally posted by Theakston
I voted "Other" for CASTA. They make great beers. Better than a lot of American Micro's. Based in Monterey Mexico. Their beers are not typical of Mexican bland lagers. Mostly Belgian style Ales.

http://www.cervezacasta.com.mx/

[GlugGlug]

this beer looks interesting ...

never seen it available around here (Pittsburgh)...
Perhaps it is available in the S.W. US eh ??

Tecate is I know easy to find , especially in San Diego .
I lived there for a while, saw it at lots o places .

While on topic of beer/San Diego, make sure to try some
"Humboldt Hemp Ale" which comes from Northern Cal.
MMmm good stuff .

[Theakston]

I PM'd the brewery with your questions.

I got mine through the good folks that provide this website. It is currently sold out.

Hope to get you the info soon. I understand that distribution has been difficult even within Mexico. Worth seeking out though.

[Theakston]

This is what I got back:

THANK YOU for your interest in our CASTA program ... We are in selected states throughout the US ... In the NORTHEAST we are in (NY/CT/RI) ... We are available on the WEST COAST in (WA/OR/CA/AZ/NV) ... If you want our Southern California wholesaler, please advise and we can pass this on to you ... We can advise you the locations that you can find CASTA at in Southern California ... To start, HI TIMES in Orange County has just put us in .... SALUD !!

CASTA DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Our US development company e-mail is: (casta@beveragesinternational.com)

[jsmurphy]

My favorite would have to be Noche Buena, avail. only during the Christmas season. Not a big fan of watery Mexican cerveza, but I'll drink a Sol, Pacifico or even Chihuahua over a Corona.

[hopjack13]

To start, HI TIMES in Orange County has just put us in
im gunna go down there and see what all this is about!!casta huh?? we will see :D

[hopjack13]

well i checked them out on rate beer dot com .none of their beers scored very high, 3.7 something was the highest. unlike stone.....he he he, they have about 9 beers that scored higher then 4 stars!!! gotta love stone! i'll probably buy a bottle any ways if they have them at hi time....unless they're over priced

[Beerconnoisseur]

I'll start by saying that every nation has made culinary contributions, both good and bad.

Mexico has produced a lot of delectable foods. Yet, to my palate, every beer I've had from Mexico seems to taste like dirt was added during the brewing process.

Very simply, if God had meant for Mexicans to create alcoholic beverages, he would not have created tequila. :eek:

[steveh]

Hmm. I have three large bottles of Casta Milenia in my "beer cabinet" waiting for the right moment to be consumed. They were offered up as a special order from Beverage Bistro and Michael Jackson's Real Beer Tour beer-of-the-month club package.

The Milenia is a bottle condidtioned, Belgian abbey-style brew. Based on the praise of the brewery in this thread, I can't wait to give it a try.

S.

PS - Beerconnoisseur, you been drinkin' the wrong Mexican beer.

[sierraman]

I agree with jsmurphy. I only tried Noche Buena one time, about ten years ago and have not seen it since, even during the holidays. I assumed it was discontinued. But it was very good, a cut above the next best Mexican beer - Negra Modelo. I also concur with the corona reference.

I am definitely going to try and find some Casta here in Phoenix. It looks good from the website!

[BAH]

It isn't even close for me. Negra Modelo is the best Mexican beer by far. It has a wonderful creamy taste to it.

I usually have one of these and then a margarita or two when eating mexican food.

[Tjbrew]

Hey Guys Im new to this whole chat system but found this conversation regarding a good mexican beer. I live in Tijuana Mexico, home to what I consider the best Mexican beer. It’s a Microbrewery that makes Tijuana Tj beer. Its all natural and pure. Compared to Casta, I think it is way better. They have a European brewer and their pub at the brewery is made to feel like you are in Europe having a beer in a typical tavern.
They have had great success and they are a unique beer in mexico because they have no ties with any of the major beer companies in Mexico unlike Casta who I believe is or was started by the Company that owns Tecate and Dos Equis. Tijuana TJ prides themselves in making an excellent beer, unlike any other in Mexico.
In their bar they have pictures of Charlie Papazian and Michael Jackson, who visited their pub, in Tijuana, because they had heard it was an excellent beer and they went to confirm it themselves.
The rumor is that they want to enter the US starting across the boarder in San Diego, I think they are looking for a good distributor.
If you guys get a chance to try it I am sure you will enjoy it. And like you said, kick the lime to the curb. I personally cross into Tijuana every week and bring back some Tijuana Tj Morena, that’s my favorite. It’s a dark lager.
I love telling people about the brand because they are taking the reputation of Mexican beer to a whole new level

DRINK TIJUAN TJ , Oh yeah baby
Tjbrew supporter #1

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by steveh
Hmm. I have three large bottles of Casta Milenia in my "beer cabinet" waiting for the right moment to be consumed. They were offered up as a special order from Beverage Bistro and Michael Jackson's Real Beer Tour beer-of-the-month club package.

The Milenia is a bottle condidtioned, Belgian abbey-style brew. Based on the praise of the brewery in this thread, I can't wait to give it a try.

S.

PS - Beerconnoisseur, you been drinkin' the wrong Mexican beer.

I have a few bottles too. part of a shipment from a beer club a while back.

[chazwicke]

Welcome to the board TJBrew. Where in TJ is the brewpub?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by warmstorage
while i am am proud member of the "big beer" club, and can name about 300 beers i'd rather have than a light, Mexican lager, i nevertheless chose Negro Modelo, and have this hot tip:

if you walk across the border at Tecate, it's both VASTLY more pleasant than at San Ysidro (San Diego), and you can walk to the Tecate brewery, where a nice, if menacing, looking man at a gate gives you a free ticket to walk up to the bar, where the give you a FREE Tecate. by no means great beer, but on a hot day in the industrial desert of northern Mexico, it's drinkable.

-warmstorage

I've done this in the past. I think it was about 1981.

[CASTA]

As mentioned on the other thread, MEXICO is going through an extreme change and the consumers within the country are now able to try other beer styles versus the tradtional lagers that have dominated the marketplace for hundreds of years ... This is mainly due to the "loose importing" of selected brands into the country ... Also, there are several "brewpubs" such as TJ BREWING that are developing their own styles and sharing them with the consumers ... Most of these brewpubs are held to their respective locations such as TJ is mainly in Northern Baja ... There is an outstanding group out of Monterrey, Mexico (northern Mexico) called SIERRA MADRE and they have created a brewpub chain with good food/drinks to meet the needs of the consumers looking for this type of option ...

As for us, we are still moving forward with our CASTA program and remain the only "craft brewery" that has national distribution and exports into JAPAN/US/EUROPE ... We are a private group that is owned and run by Mexican Nationals and will continue to grow throughout our selected marketing areas ... We do bring a difference due to the fact that we are the only one that produces ALE STYLE beers from Mexico ...

Pull-up our website and check us out ... We hope that more Mexican groups will take the time/funds to invest into a company such as ours and bring additional options to the consumers ... We feel that we are a complement to the lager styles that dominate the marketplace and give the consumer that choice with a goo Mexican meal .......... SALUD !!

CASTA DEVELOPMENT TEAM
www.cervezacasta.com.mx

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by hopjack13
pacifico??? 2 close 2 water for me. it's like making luv in a canoe.

Agreed. Pacifico has too much of a corn taste to me. Much like Rolling Sock.
Dos Equis Dark for me.
Don't even get me started on Corona.....

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

A buddy of mine knew the brewer at the TJ brewery. Brought a bottle home and shared it. It was tasty, for what it was. This was about 2 years ago. As for me, I enjoy Tecate, but I must admit I can only drink these brews when I am down there. There's something about crossing the border that allows you to enjoy these beers on a hot day.

[Oldskin]

Looks like I'll have to track down some of that "Negro Modelo" stuff...

I've tried many a Mexican beer in my time and I have yet to find one I've liked.

Dox Eqeuies (SP?) tasted like bathwater, Corona tasted like stale Budwiser and others were worse.... Negro Modelo you are my last hope for decent (I.E. drinkable) Mexican beer.

[Tjbrew]

"La Cerveceria Tijuana TJ" is located about a 5-8 min taxi drive from the boarder. ( Dont pay any more than $10, you can negotiate lower) If you know Tijuana and reach the south end of Ave. Revoultion, you will see The Tower of Agua Caliente, a monument from Old Tijuana. If you go on Blvd Fundadores about 5 blocks you cant miss it. Its a huge yellow building.
Hope you go and try it out. I thinks its definately worth the trip.
DRINK CERVEZA TIJUANA TJ, they made it for you!

[kovan]

I find alot of you are bashing the mexican beers but I feel they have a place, yes even Corona although that is my least favorite.
A mexican beers place is not in my back yard during a barbeque in the northeast. A mexican beers place is not in my fridge preparing for a Friday night session bout.
But on a beach in Cancun, with an ultra hot sun beating down on you a mexican beer does the job like no euro beer could.
When eating red hot and spicy mexican food loaded with haberneros like my GF likes it a mexican beer sure puts out that fire. So a place for everything and everything in a place.
Mexican beer definately has it's uses.

My favorite.....Negro Modelo usually except with lava like food (see above) then it's a tecate.

[Tjbrew]

A Tecate Beer is as bad as all the other Mexican and American beers, obviously with an exception to most of the Craft Beers available.
A Tecate is in no way comparable to a Tijuana Tj. They are in a completely different familly of beers. Tecate taste like water with gas and piss. Obviously when you say that the Tijuana was not bad, " for what it is " your comparing it to a beer you like based on what years and years of sales have told us that a Mexican beer should taste like.

You dont expect to taste a full bodied and flavored beer because its a new culture of Mexican Beer. Your used to the watered down mexican and American lagers but if you think thats real beer then you dont know what a Real Beer should taste like.

Theirs so many good beers that are real beers that are only enjoyed by people who know what BEER should taste like

Salud, and drink another Tijuana TJ beer when you get a chance its worth learning to appreciate.

[Acataleptic]

Interesting! Two new Mexican breweries. I'll have to sample a glass when I see them in a bar or store. But by far, hands down the best Mexican beer is Tecate. Nothing beats it for my yearly desert trip down South. Hot sun, hot sand, and cool Tecate with a lime. Of course, contary to what people think about strong beer in the heat, we drink plenty of Lagunitus IPA (no lime) too! There's something to be said for a fresh cold 30 pack for a weekend in the heat. Cheap too! Negra Modelo is more flavorful of course, but in the heat I don't need the extra sugar.

Drink local, Drink Independent!

Listening to: Wilco 2004 A Ghost Is Born

[the4th]

Dos Equis sucks.

I do like Negro Modelo and Modelo Especial (lawnmowing!).

Tecate is marginally tolerable if I'm already buzzed.