BajaNomad

Beer licensing in Mexico to change?

Hook - 12-23-2013 at 02:05 PM

I heard some gossip the other day that there was a major ruling by the Mexican Supreme Court (or its equivalent) in July that has effectively blocked the Big Two beer companies in Mexico from buying up all alcohol licenses and then re-selling them to individual stores, restaurants, etc. Supposedly, there is a transitioning period where they will have to divest themselves of their licenses, to a point where they will have only something like 20% of the licenses, countrywide, by a certain date.

Has anyone heard anything like this? Anyone have friends in the craft beer business in Mexico? They might know about this.

David K - 12-23-2013 at 02:09 PM

So some day we will see both Dos Equis and Pacifico in the SAME STORE!!! ??? :saint:

dasubergeek - 12-23-2013 at 03:14 PM

This has already happened; beer exclusivity was eliminated.

Craft beer is champing at the bit, but the problem is that they don't have the production facilities to meet the demand (which is why you never see Mexican craft beer in the U.S.—there isn't enough to satisfy even the local demand).

Hook - 12-23-2013 at 03:22 PM

So, I guess the main thing that is keeping restaurants aligned with one brewer is having to buy their own refrigerators and plastic tables? :?:

weebray - 12-23-2013 at 03:25 PM

OMG what's an oxxo to do??? Seriously the move away from oligarchs, Telmex, Bimbo, Coca Cola, CEMEX and the beer giants etc. is long overdue. Change will come albeit slowly. The craft breweries better start ramping up tho, the current offerings are pretty poor. At least in the Baja. Are their "truly" good craft beers being made in the mainland?

Hook - 12-23-2013 at 06:09 PM

OXXo's wont be affected. They're owned by Tecate.

I am "scheduled" to try some AguaMala beer in a couple days. Someone gave some of their pa-lé a-lé, IPA and oatmeal stout to a friend of mine who brews in batches of 5 and 10 gallons down here (ingredients from NOB).

Based on his assessment, CervezaMala would be a more appropriate name.......nasty chemical aftertaste, according to him. Maybe just skunk? The stout was OK, supposedly.

But I am keeping an open mind after being schooled on Mexican wine, recently.

[Edited on 12-24-2013 by Hook]

Baja Craft Beers

bajaguy - 12-23-2013 at 09:02 PM

There are a growing number of craft beer brewers in Baja, including a local Ensenada group I am involved with, Cervecería Tres Brewjas.

If you are interested in Baja Craft Beer, you may want to attend the Ensenada Craft Beer Festival, April 19th. last year there were about 50 craft brewers at the festival.

Hook - 12-23-2013 at 09:10 PM

I remember you or someone posting about that.

What is the format of the festival? A general admission and then the tastings are free? Or a la carte?

There are tastings, right????:saint:

Where are you guys getting your bulk ingredients? From San Diego?

bajaguy - 12-23-2013 at 09:17 PM

Flat fee to get in and a 4oz glass. You get to sample, your card is punched. you also have an opportunity to buy tickets at 10 pesos each for additional tastings (4oz=10 pesos, 12oz=30 pesos).

Plenty of food and music.

Yes, we get most of our supplies (grain, yeast, hops) from various sources in San Diego, but we are considering growing a few strains of hops here.

PS: Found several types of Monte Xanic here in Ensenada at COSTCO and Sam's Club
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I remember you or someone posting about that.

What is the format of the festival? A general admission and then the tastings are free? Or a la carte?

There are tastings, right????:saint:

Where are you guys getting your bulk ingredients? From San Diego?

Hook - 12-23-2013 at 09:29 PM

Yeah, I seem to recall a few M.X. wines at the Costco in Hermosillo over here, too. Dismissed them, offhand. I will re-look at them after the holidays. Probably buy one or two.

That Chard was great, IMO, if you didnt see my review.

bajaguy - 12-23-2013 at 09:47 PM

If you make it to the beer festival, stop at our booth and say "HI"
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Yeah, I seem to recall a few M.X. wines at the Costco in Hermosillo over here, too. Dismissed them, offhand. I will re-look at them after the holidays. Probably buy one or two.

That Chard was great, IMO, if you didnt see my review.

wessongroup - 12-23-2013 at 10:15 PM

That's a very interesting industry. in many ways ....

Production of a product which has the added benefit of being "Beer" ...

Thanks for the info ... strange how YOU stumbled on to something like this ... :biggrin:

Keep it up ... pictures would be nice .. might add a few ... scratch that, no one drinks beer HERE ... :lol::lol:

BajaNomad - 12-24-2013 at 01:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I heard some gossip the other day that there was a major ruling by the Mexican Supreme Court (or its equivalent) in July


Mexico's Federal Competition Commission (Cofeco).
Quote:
...Supposedly, there is a transitioning period where they will have to divest themselves of their licenses, to a point where they will have only something like 20% of the licenses, countrywide, by a certain date.


"The two Mexican brewers agreed to conditions including limiting exclusivity deals in convenience stores and restaurants to a maximum of 25 percent of points of sale, reducing this to 20 percent over the next five years."

http://www.moneynews.com/Companies/Mexico-beer-competition-J...




"[SAB]Miller believes the settlement resolution failed to truly address the monopolistic activities of the two dominant brewers due to the inadequate and undefined nature of the commitments. The commitments made by both brewers are limited by several significant exclusions, which still make it possible to deny access to a majority of retail sales and to large and important regions."

http://www.beveragedaily.com/Regulation-Safety/SAB-Miller-pa...

pauldavidmena - 12-24-2013 at 07:15 AM

Baja Brewing Company has a reasonably good Peyote Pale Ale, which is basically an American IPA. It's the only craft beer I've found in Southern Baja, although I'm willing to search for others. :)

Bajaboy - 12-24-2013 at 07:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
If you make it to the beer festival, stop at our booth and say "HI"


Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Yeah, I seem to recall a few M.X. wines at the Costco in Hermosillo over here, too. Dismissed them, offhand. I will re-look at them after the holidays. Probably buy one or two.

That Chard was great, IMO, if you didnt see my review.


Curious, are the craft brewers in your area creating their own style or are they similar to San Diego breweries? I would love to find some new breweries south of the border but have so many options nearby.

We might just plan on making a weekend out of the beer festival. We'll look you up if we do.

[Edited on 12-24-2013 by Bajaboy]

bajaguy - 12-24-2013 at 08:32 AM

It is wide open down here. some are trying to recreate beers from established micro-breweries and some are trying new recipes. I think you will be surprised at the quality and types of craft beers being produced in Baja.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
If you make it to the beer festival, stop at our booth and say "HI"


Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Yeah, I seem to recall a few M.X. wines at the Costco in Hermosillo over here, too. Dismissed them, offhand. I will re-look at them after the holidays. Probably buy one or two.

That Chard was great, IMO, if you didnt see my review.


Curious, are the craft brewers in your area creating their own style or are they similar to San Diego breweries? I would love to find some new breweries south of the border but have so many options nearby.

We might just plan on making a weekend out of the beer festival. We'll look you up if we do.

[Edited on 12-24-2013 by Bajaboy]

Hook - 12-24-2013 at 10:41 AM

Count me in, too. Will be coming by truck camper from Sonora. Any boondocking, on site, or is the location still TBD?

Ensenada Beer Festival

bajaguy - 12-24-2013 at 10:55 AM

Location (I think) will be the same as last year, the Riveria convention complex on the Costero, across from the cruiseport terminal. It is held outside. As soon as I get an update, I'll post

Don't know of anyplace to camp close, other than Estero Beach RV park
Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
Count me in, too. Will be coming by truck camper from Sonora. Any boondocking, on site, or is the location still TBD?

durrelllrobert - 12-24-2013 at 01:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
So, I guess the main thing that is keeping restaurants aligned with one brewer is having to buy their own refrigerators and plastic tables? :?:


...and those big outdoor signs and painting of the structure. Now everyone will have to pay for this stuff.

weebray - 12-24-2013 at 02:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena
Baja Brewing Company has a reasonably good Peyote Pale Ale, :)


Exactly my point. There are some kinda good, maybe ok dishwater being sold here but NO excellent craft brews. Modelo has a weisen that is horse p.

bajaguy - 12-24-2013 at 02:26 PM

The solution is to brew your own
Quote:
Originally posted by weebray
Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena
Baja Brewing Company has a reasonably good Peyote Pale Ale, :)


Exactly my point. There are some kinda good, maybe ok dishwater being sold here but NO excellent craft brews. Modelo has a weisen that is horse p.

Bajahowodd - 12-24-2013 at 04:25 PM

I'm guessing that this push back by the Mexican government is because virtually all of their legacy breweries have come to be controlled by foreign corporations. Namely, SAB Miller of UK, InBev-Anheuser Busch of Belgium, and Heinekin of the Netherlands.

Oh, for the days of local breweries, when Pacifico was only brewed in Mazatlan, and Tecate only in Tecate.

Germany

bajaguy - 12-24-2013 at 04:27 PM

When I was in the army stationed in Germany, we would delight in visiting different towns as all the small towns had their own brewery
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I'm guessing that this push back by the Mexican government is because virtually all of their legacy breweries have come to be controlled by foreign corporations. Namely, SAB Miller of UK, InBev-Anheuser Busch of Belgium, and Heinekin of the Netherlands.

Oh, for the days of local breweries, when Pacifico was only brewed in Mazatlan, and Tecate only in Tecate.

measomsan - 12-25-2013 at 07:12 AM

Anyone know a good brew master down here or even in the states that would relocate to Cabo? If so send me a u2u ... Tanks

bajaguy - 12-25-2013 at 08:19 AM

Hahaha...........the best bet is to brew your own. I can send you a couple of pointers!!!!
Quote:
Originally posted by measomsan
Anyone know a good brew master down here or even in the states that would relocate to Cabo? If so send me a u2u ... Tanks

Leo - 12-25-2013 at 12:41 PM

Interesting subject. As author of 'BEERS of British Columbia' I went to about 50 micro breweries and brew-pubs in BC, tasted about 250 different brews with my son and published a handsome book on that in 2010.
l am always on the lookout for new micro/ craft breweries.
I put April 19 in my calender Bayaguy. If I can work it in on my way back to Canada, I sure will stop by in the New Year.

bajaguy - 12-25-2013 at 12:52 PM

Leo.....it would be great to talk with you and see what you think of the Baja Micro/Craft breweries. We usually have about 40+ represented at the Ensenada festival.

The Ensenada festival is the first of three every year. The other two being Tijuana and Mexicali.

If you are interested, I can put you in contact with one of the directors of the Baja Craft Beer Association.
Quote:
Originally posted by Leo
Interesting subject. As author of 'BEERS of British Columbia' I went to about 50 micro breweries and brew-pubs in BC, tasted about 250 different brews with my son and published a handsome book on that in 2010.
l am always on the lookout for new micro/ craft breweries.
I put April 19 in my calender Bayaguy. If I can work it in on my way back to Canada, I sure will stop by in the New Year.