Mexican Craft Beers?

That is the exact torta I had! So delicious! Drank Calavera Pale Ale which is another contender for my fave Mexican beer. Thanks again! In Aguacalientes today and will hit the fine beer store( as well as the Mescal store

 

The problem with calavera is the homogeneity of their batches

 

Well at Barraca Valencia they were flawless! During my trip also had their imperial stout again and it was fantastic. I love that I shared this with my Mexican friends and they were blown away by that stout chalk up one for the gringo

 

We are heading to Cabo San Lucas later this month for about a week. I see there are a couple of places listed on here - Baja Brewing and Restaurante Bar Rámuri - anything else I should be on the lookout for? Stores to pick stuff up at maybe?

 

Good news!!! I am the Area Sales Manager for Polaris Beverages. We are the Importer of the Cerveza Cucapa brand. We have now been in the San Diego area for the past 12 months and have been in the L.A. and O.C. area for about 100 days now. We are having a huge response! You guys interested in some areas where you can find it here in the states?

 

Just spent 10 days in the Yucatan, and tried as many Mexican craft beers as I could find (which wasn't many). I hit up the Beer Box in Playa del Carmen, and was shocked at how small the selection was. I get the impression that's more indicative of the complete lack of availability than anything the store is doing wrong, but I have little basis for comparison.

By far the standout of the beers I had was La Chingoneria's Tenebrosa, a citrusy APA that's far better than most American ones. Second favorite was Alquimia's IPAlquimia, a nice clean Englishish IPA. Also had beers from Baja Brewing, Cerveceria Mexicana, Cerveceria Artesanal, and Siette Barrios, none of which were particularly impressive.

I have notes on all of these, and will add the beers and reviews soon.

 

The craft beer movement is barely showing signs of growth in Mexico, especially after the new law that took away exclusivity to the big breweries (Modelo and Cuahtemoc) in stores, restaurants, etc. took effect. The largest Mexican craft breweries are Cucapa, Tijuana, and Minerva. They are the ones that are more widely distributed, not necessarily the best but they are the pioneers of the movement.
It is really tough for everyone since the big breweries had like 99% control of the beer market but finally there is hope. I would dare to say that the best craft is done in the northern parts of Mexico, especially Baja California, because of its proximity to San Diego and the big influence it has. Some of the stand out breweries would be Cucapa, Minerva, Insurgente, 3B, 686, Border Psycho, Aguamala, Propaganda, Calavera, Ramuri, Peninsula, among others. There is great potential and people are beginning to take risks, it's just a matter of time.

Salud,

-Alfredo

 

I just came back from Mazatlan and despite my best efforts combing the city I failed to find a single craft beer in 2 weeks. Apparently there was a bar that served craft beer for a while but it closed in early 2013 (it got my hopes up when I googled it, only to be sorely disappointed when I found the building boarded up and for sale). If anyone ever finds anything there let me know!

 

It would be awesome if folks who know these breweries could add them or submit updates. While trying to review the beers, I've run into some surprising things (breweries mentioned in this thread with no BA place page, info that seems to be wrong). I've submitted updates where I could figure things out, but I know very little about the Mexican craft beer scene, and I'm not exactly fluent in Spanish.

Also, it looks like a lot of people have been reviewing Cerveceria Mexicana's Day of the Dead beers, which I hear are now sold throughout the US, under the listing for a brewpub in Puerto Vallarta called Los Muertos. There are some odd similarities between the two, though, which in the US would probably lead to a lawsuit if they don't already have some kind of arrangement.

 

There is a Mexican craft beer that is available in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area. It is called Cabotella and is made by Baja Brewing.
I know in North Texas (Denton County) it is in Cheers and Shax liquors.
It is a very good beer- They claim it is the first Mexican craft beer. It is light almost like a Blue Moon.

Just wanted you all to know. I think it is only in Texas and Mexico but I could be VERY wrong.
http://www.cabotella.com/

 

You guys making it over to TX any time soon?

 

Just seeing this thread now. Baja Brewing is ..... Eh. Compared to mass produced Mexican beer it is a good alternative, but compared to US craft beer it falls way short. Did you go to Ramuri, how was it?

Although the view at the Baja Brewing on Medano is spectacular!

 

It really depends, and just like the US (West Coast/East Coast), styles do vary by geography.

In Mexico, the North is very influenced by US styles, specially all of Baja (close to SD) and the Monterrey region; while further down south, is more influenced on European styles (has a lot to do with supplies they get over there, which are more german and Euro malts; compared to the north where they can go to HBS in CA/AZ/TX and get fresh stuff).

As for the "eh" in the above post; it pretty much sums its up. Some local supermarkets here in Tijuana have a Craft Beer section; so I bought a few. Needless to say, they were underwhelming; especially one brand (wont say names) that was around $4 dlls each 12oz bottle and had NO carbonation!!! Totally unacceptable. Also, there are many new breweries popping up that do contract brewery with Cervezas Mexicana (of the Day of The Dead beer fame) and they are pretty bad. Which is kinda suprising considered that its a contract brewery beer.

My advice is that you buy close to the source, main hubs I see right now is Baja (Tijuana and Mexicali), Monterrey and around Mexico City (Primus, Minerva, Calavera).

I recently finished up my MBA with a thesis of the craft beer movement in Mexico, Ive been meaning to translate to English, if anyone is interested. Summed up, most of the issues US Craft Beer saw in the beginning are happening in Mexico. The main difference I see quality wise, is that in the US, most breweries where started by homebrewers; where as in Mexico, some people have identified the market and its surge, but do not necesarrily have a HB background and are interested in making a quick buck.

Some events coming up are Ensenada Beerfest (Mar 21), Mexicali Beer Fest (Apr 12) and a Tijuana Craft Beer fest in (May 31). Theres is a huge expo in Mexico City around mid Sept every year.

I hope I didnt bore you with the info on my very 1st post; but Im a homebrewer here in Tijuana and want to promote and grow the scene here in Baja and Mexico.

Salud!

 

Will Cucapa make it to Orlando any time soon?

 

I had a chance recently to finally try some of the Day of The Dead brews. I didn't expect much going in because I have generally been disappointed by Mexican beers. But these were really good. I especially enjoyed the porter, "Pay the Ferryman". The finish left the slightest hint of chocolate without being overstated. Really nice.

 

Cucapa will be coming to TX this year. I can't give you a date yet but it will hit. Enjoy it, you will be blown away.

 

I as well have had their beers. They did well with them. They are actually owned by the third largest brewery in Mexico, Cervesera Mexicana. So in actuality it would be like Coors coming out with a craft beer brand. Not into it.

 

Florida is not on our radar only because I only deal with distribution from the Mississippi River and West. I have no idea beyond that. Sorry, I don't have anything other than that.

 

Wohoooo.

 

This just makes me want to visit Mexico City...