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David K
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See the Pyramid Resort New Flyer thread for more beer talk!
Mexicali Beer is very good... they serve it at the Half Way House!
Photo of Tijuana Beers with lunch...
[Edited on 5-3-2007 by David K]
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AmoPescar
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IN TODAY'S SAN DIEGO UNION FOOD SECTION...
BREWERY ROWE by PETER ROWE
TECATE SHUNS THE 'BEERGARITA,' OPTS FOR BASIC BREW
May 2, 2007
TECATE, Baja California – By chance, my tour of the Tecate brewery came the same week I met Chill, Miller's attempt to muscle into the funky world of
Mexican micheladas.
Until now, the major beer companies have ignored micheladas. That's not because these are outlaw drinks with nasty reputations – micheladas are
relentlessly cheerful. But this drink has been the province of bartenders, professional and amateur, rather than brewers.
The basic michelada recipe calls for pouring two or three fingers of lime juice into a salt-rimmed glass, cracking a beer, then mixing to taste. Some
folks use lemons rather than limes; others add a dash of Worcestershire and/or hot sauce.
Never tried this? That's fine with honest-to-Dios Mexican brewers.
“They don't like them,” said Juan Ramon Vera Martinez, public relations coordinator for Cervecería Tecate.
There are two schools of thought here, each worth pondering as we approach Cinco de Mayo. One school views brewers as artists. The notion that
bartenders can “improve” artworks with a splash or a sprinkle is heresy. It's like distributing Magic Markers at the Louvre's entrance. Hey, kids,
let's improve the “Mona Lisa”!
The other school, though, is not alarmed. Why fuss about beer, one of life's simple pleasures? Moreover, there's tasty precedent here, what with
beer-and-lemonade shandies and the stout-and-champagne mixture black velvet. Enjoy!
On occasion, why not? Yes, great brewers are master craftsmen. Their work is sublime – but also plentiful. If you “spoil” the occasional liquid
masterwork with a shot of citrus juice, don't worry. Pristine beer is available by the truckload.
This is especially true of Tecate. The massive plant in the center of town, a landmark since 1944, churns out 1 million gallons of beer a month.
In 1954, Mexican brewing giant Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma purchased Tecate. The brewery now produces its namesake beer; Tecate Light (which will
debut in San Diego this fall); Dos Equis; Dos Equis Amber; Carta Blanca; and Sol.
Advertisement In Mexico – as, to a lesser degree, in the States – beers have regional followings. Tecate is a Northern Mexico powerhouse that sells
well on the West Coast of the U.S. “Forty-two percent of our production goes to the U.S.,” said Sergio Rodriguez Garza, the brewery's director. The
rest flows into stores and restaurants in Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Sonora and Sinaloa.
Not all of the beer, though, is sold. At the Tecate complex's northeastern entrance, there's a shady garden. A guard at the gate hands tickets to
visitors, then directs them to a pavilion, where they find a bar. And a free beer. “One a day,” Vera said. “But there are people who come every day.”
The brewery sponsors sports teams, language classes, health clinics. Cuauhtémoc, Rodriguez stressed, feels an obligation to be a good corporate
citizen.
But there's a limit to the corporate hospitality. In the Jardin Cerveza, the free beer is served straight – no lime juice.
Tasting notes
(Beers are rated from 0 to 5, with 5 being best.)
TECATE - Tecate, Baja California Norte
This lager is notable for its straightforward honesty. Tecate is light-bodied and clean, lacking the burnt-corn aftertaste of Pacifico and the
where'd-my-beer-go? blandness of Corona and Sol. Corn and rice are not part of the recipe, thank you, but Tecate is brewed with powdered starch and
hop pellets, rather than fresh hop flowers.
As a result, the flavors and aromas are muted. If you want a beer with edge or authority, look elsewhere. But if you want something light on the
tongue, pleasant but not showy, refreshing without being memorable, Tecate will fill the bill.
DOS EQUIS LAGER ESPECIAL - Tecate, Baja California Norte
In the early '70s, we dined at the Chiki Jai restaurant in Tijuana before walking down Avenida Revolución for the games at the Jai Alai fronton. With
my combination plate, I would order Carta Blanca.
Then someone introduced me to Dos Equis, and I was smitten. Overnight, Carta Blanca seemed stodgy, old-fashioned, your grandfather's Mexican beer. Dos
Equis, in its distinctive green bottle and eye-catching XX label, was smooth, sophisticated, hip.
Ah, to be so young and impressionable! The fronton is abandoned now, and so is my enthusiasm for Dos Equis. Revisiting the beer, I was surprised by
its lack of pizazz. Fizzy and watery, the brew lacks oomph. I didn't notice any horrible flavors, but that's all I can say in defense of my younger
self's taste.
MILLER CHILL - Milwaukee
CHILL, now being test-marketed in San Diego, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Florida, passed the top-to-bottom test. Opening the green bottle, I
expected to suck down a mouthful, make a few notes and dump the rest of this unholy brew.
But the first mouthful led to a few swallows more, and a few swallows more, and in short order I drained the whole bottle, top to bottom. Chill is
drinkable, then, but is it a good beer? I'm not sure. The lime and salt are laid on with a heavy hand, which reflects the authentic michelada style,
but also prevented my taste buds from assessing the underlying brew.
Tart and bracing, Chill ends on a metallic note. This unwelcome finish didn't keep me from finishing the bottle, but it dampened my enthusiasm for
repeat engagements.
MICHELADA - Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, Old Town
When you order a michelada at Acapulco, the waiter asks you to choose the beer. (I deferred to his experience; he selected Bohemia.) He then delivered
a salt-frosted pint glass, one-third full of lime juice and ice. He opened the Bohemia, inclined his head slightly and left me to my devices.
That may have been a mistake. I learned, too late, that micheladas should be continually blended. The beer is lighter than the lime juice and, if not
vigorously mixed, will rise to the top of the glass and ensure a lip-puckering finish.
My companion, savoring her margarita, wondered why anyone would order a beergarita. Micheladas may not speak everyone's language, but the appeal of
this tart refreshment is easy to translate.
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David K
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Very interesting opinions... thanks Amo.
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Hook
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Really pleased with the twists and turns this post has made, Bob.
BajaDoc, nice description complete with opinions.......thanks for that. I pretty much agree with the opinions, too.
The first beer I ever brewed was a copy of Bohemia, only it was about 5.5%. Brought it out on a fishing expedition and had the boys try it. Pretty
funny when they lost their sea legs after two 16 oz. ers. We broke out the pyrate music.........and still proceeded to catch fish that day.
VIVA BOHEMIA!
VIVA AMBAR!
VIVA MEXICO!!!!!!
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AmoPescar
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Hook,
Your story reminds me of fishing at Palmas at the East Cape. When I was ordering our lunch and drinks for the next day, I usually ordered 6 beers, a
couple of sodas and some bottled waters for each of us. I would over hear other guys ordering a CASE of beer for EACH of them.
It always made me wonder how they could fish after drinking so much beer...and WHY...there were no reports of them falling overboard!!!! LOL
Miguelamo  
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Cypress
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Bohemia's my favorite brew down Baja way. 
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bajadock
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www.elpatiobar.com website
Hook,
It was my BRO in the MILE HIGH CITY who found the El Patio Bar link . He has the better brain of us two, as he is the electrical engineer and I was
just a sales guy. But, we are Irish(Dougherty), so our beer interest is keen!
He is waiting for my house completion in October to invade and share the dream I am living.
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Hook
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| Quote: | Originally posted by AmoPescar
Hook,
Your story reminds me of fishing at Palmas at the East Cape. When I was ordering our lunch and drinks for the next day, I usually ordered 6 beers, a
couple of sodas and some bottled waters for each of us. I would over hear other guys ordering a CASE of beer for EACH of them.
It always made me wonder how they could fish after drinking so much beer...and WHY...there were no reports of them falling overboard!!!! LOL
Miguelamo
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I really dont drink much while boating.....bad mix. 2 beers would be unusual for me, when I have to skipper. Two of those Bohemia knock-offs would not
have been good. I just served 'em and waited for the reaction that I knew was coming. I had tried a few during the week.
Grog for the hands..........it's a tradition that outlives empires.
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Bob H
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Packoderm
They'll have their work cut out if they want to compete with the Germans.
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I've seen these German girls hauling 12 of those big 1-litre jugs of beer, in one haul, stacked on top of each other, and then slam them on the table
and not spill a drop! What great memories.
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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Hook
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
| Quote: | Originally posted by Packoderm
They'll have their work cut out if they want to compete with the Germans.
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I've seen these German girls hauling 12 of those big 1-litre jugs of beer, in one haul, stacked on top of each other, and then slam them on the table
and not spill a drop! What great memories.
Bob H |
Yeah, but how are they with the bratwurst.............
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Hook
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Go to a Bristol Farms market and look around. They have many German and Belgian beers.
Those are generally not my style so I have no recommendations, but there are plenty of choices.
I do like the lighter Dortmunder's and Warsteiner's I have had. REALLY DONT LIKE BECK'S.......CALL IT BLECK'S.
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bajadock
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German v. Mexican
I also prefer German beers, but...think globally, drink locally!
http://360.yahoo.com/dockerty06
[Edited on 5-5-2007 by bajadock]
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DENNIS
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They're the Boys From Brazil.
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Hook
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Being largely from Germanic stock (and lots of other things), grandma always told me there have been lots of good reasons for leaving Germany over the
years. From uppity princes, to belligerent Kaisers to nutty Fuhrers, Germans have provided the largest number of immigrants to other countries.
Well, until recently, when it became acceptable to ILLEGALLY immigrate. 
Thank God they brought their beer with them.
Forgot one other light brew I like.....Imperial from Costa Rica. Saw bottled cases at a Costco recently. I think it was also started by immigrating
Germans.
Spaten is excellent, Jorge! Not too hoppy like so many German beers seem to be.
I hear ya on the 3 finger rule for Pacifico. I'd also alter the rule to a 32° +/- 2°. Pacifico is rank unless very cold.
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bajadock
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mexican v. german selections
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Cypress
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bajadock! Decisions. I'm unable to make up my mind. Maybe I like 'em all.
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Packoderm
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Yes, they look pretty good, but can they carry and serve 5 steins full of beer? If not, they probably can't do much in the line of yard work or
anything else like that either. So in that case, I'd shy from starting anything long-term with any of them. On second thought, the 3rd one from the
left looks good and healthy - so she might be the better choice.
I'd say, "Honey, you know that it's technically illegal for me to do any kind of work here in Mexico, so would you be a dear and mix up another batch
of concrete?"
[Edited on 07/17/2004 by Packoderm]
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