A German Pilsner from Mexico

If you’re like me, you probably don’t need much of a reason to drink a few beers. And with the start of May, one of a few beer-centric holidays looms large. Much like many barley and hop-related events, the tendency of bars and festival promoters is to serve up low quality and cheap suds that the masses will chug down with abandon, and without pausing to taste what’s passing their lips. But, you can do better on this minor holiday.
While many have been misled to believe that this holiday is a celebration of Mexican independence, in reality this is not the case. Cinco de Mayo is actually a holiday commerating the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862, and is more of a regional celebration in Mexico instead of a national festival. Mexico’s Independence Day is actually September 16. However, since much of our country will be honoring this over-promoted reason to drink lager and eat chips and salsa, why not use it as an opportunity to partake of a very decent Mexico lager with a solid pedigree.
While the native Mexicans have long created brews from corn stalks, maize, and agave, the modern decent quality beers benefit from Germanic influence that brought about some of the better offerings from Latin America. Some of the first lager breweries in Latin America were begun by Bavarians.
Bohemia, brewed in Monterrey, Mexico by the Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma Brewery is actually classified as a German Pilsner, while most Mexican beers will fall into the category of macro-adjunct lager. Unless I’m looking for something a bit maltier, like Negra Modelo, this is my go to Mexican beer.
With a dull yellow color and a thin, somewhat creamy head of foam, you will actually find some strings of lace adhering to the sides of your glass. Taste and smell are fine as well, and while you shouldn’t expect to be knocked out by either, they are in the right place for the style. You get crisp grain and spicy hops in the nose, with a flavor that is especially spicy and herbal in the hop department.
Bohemia is a smooth tasting and Saaz-hopped lager that gives a nice, tingly mouthfeel. Bohemia leaves very little aftertaste but has a good, clean, dry finish. When I want a crisp, lighter lager to pair with Mexican food, this is my choice. At 5.3% ABV (alcohol by volume), and well-carbonated, this lager should work for just about all levels of beer drinkers in your Cinco de Mayo crew.
And, a reminder, do not drink anything from a clear bottle. Corona and it’s nearly twin competitor, Sol, are what most people think of when the topic is Mexican beer. These beers were created as bottom-of-the-barrel brew fare in their home country, made cheaply with poor quality ingredients, marketed and sold to labor workers and the poor. Made with typically 40 percent rice, almost no hops and more adjuncts that you want to know about, these are quite possibly the worst beers made.
While these macro lagers enjoy a label as an import and somewhat exotic in our country, the beer is utter crap. Avoid at all costs. Do yourself a favor and grab a Bohemia, and give a nod to beer history this May 5. Enjoy the brews … Cheers.
Gene’s Haufbrau has more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob at publisher@westof.net.