Record Show and Concert, October 29, 2011

This is out in Iztapalapa, doubt I'll make it down there for this, but maybe I'll be feeling adventurous that day?

History of Punk in Mexico

There is a new book out about the history of punk in Mexico, and El Universal has a story on it. They also have a music blog post where you can check out youtube videos of several of the classic Mexican punk bands. I haven't seen the book yet, but it is supposed to be available at El Chopo. I'm going today to see if I can find it!

Bop! is closed....

Last time I tried to go to Bop! Libros y Discos, they were closed. And not just closed as in not open, but there was no longer an actual building behind the storefront. Not sure what happened, but it is a bummer one of the better record stores in the city is gone.

Pictures from Cerveza México, Sept 2, 2011

 I was too busy drinking beer to take good pictures, but at least these will give you an idea of what Cerveza México was like.

Cerveza Casera stand. They had a pale ale and hefeweizen to try.

Cervecería Hacienda, makers of Jaguar Pale Ale, Hidalgo Stout, and Catrina Red Ale.

A glimpse of Cerveza Querétaro, Cervecería Amalias, and La Chingonería.

The crowd, and Cucapá in the background.

Calavera and Bohemia

La Chingonería's Házmela Rusa Stout, and the glass we had to buy to sample everything.

Another glimpse of La Chingonería stand, and the Beer Company in the background. They were out of their IPA.

Cervecería Primus with Tempus beers to try.

Cervecería Rámuri with three different dark beers to try, two stouts and a smoked porter.

Veracruz Brewering(?!) Company. They had a pilsner to sample, out of the dark beer.

The Beer Box installation. Offering samples of Cerveza Guadalajara, and a new organic brewery from Huixquilucan, Edomex.

Rámuri Diablo Blanco Mexican Lager

 Rámuri Diablo Blanco Lager

5.0% ABV

2 out of 5


I picked up this bottle at the recent beer festival, Cerveza México. Cervecería Rámuri is based out of one of the Bajas, not sure which. I'm pretty sure they are from Tijuana, BC, which is what they said at the fest and what their facebook page says. But, the bottle says Los Cabos, which is in Baja California Sur, so maybe Diablo Blanco is produced there.

Anyway, this "premium mexican lager" is one of the most tasteless beers I have ever had. In one sense that makes it better than a Corona, Sol, or Tecate, because there is no way I want to taste anything like those beers and I'd much prefer a Diablo Blanco over some industrial Mexican lager. But, I like the taste of beer. When I want a beer it means I don't want sparkling water.

I've never seen this available for sale in Mexico City, but it is possible one of the beer stores picked up some stock while these guys were in town for the festival. Can't say I recommend searching for it though.

Rámuri Diablo Blanco stand at Cerveza México, Sept 2, 2011

Mexico City beer festival starts today!

Cerveza Mexico at the World Trade Center starts today and goes through September 3rd. Home brewers, craft brewers, and industrial brewers will be there. I hope to return with lots of beer and pictures!

A couple great articles on Mexican craft beer (in Spanish)

There are a couple new articles up at hazcerveza.com that are really well written actually engage in some much needed criticism. The first is a review of the recent beer festival in San Miguel de Allende and includes some reviews of newer microbreweries. The second is a critique on the quality of some of the craft brews and the way some restaurants/shops/bars treat beer, leading to some pretty awful experiences. If you read Spanish, I highly recommend checking them out. My own personal perception if the craft beer movement in Mexico is that there is very little criticism of the quality of the beers being produced. There needs to be some more honesty if craft beer is going to grow here, so those who are interested in trying a cerveza artesanal are not turned off by tasting a poor-quality or poorly-treated beer.

The lack of posting

My work is taking over my life right now, so I haven't had a lot of time to update the blog. I'll try to post when I can, and hopefully I'll get back to a more regular blogging schedule in a few weeks.

Purple Hand Honey Ale

Purple Hand Honey Ale

1 out of 5


5.0%ABV

This beer is really boring. If there was a blind taste test between a Bohemia Clásica and this, it would be hard to tell the difference. It basically tastes like one of the better commercial lagers. It is supposed to be a honey ale, but the flavor of honey is so unnoticeable.

This beer is also fairly expensive. I bought it a long time ago at the Beer Box for something like 45 pesos if I remember correctly.

Cerveza Homero Hefeweizen

Cerveza Homero Hefeweizen

4 out of 5

5.0%ABV

When I first moved to Mexico City I was able to easily find the fabled Duff Beer and drank a fair amount of it. It was a solid pilsner that was much better than your typical Mexican lager. Sadly, it disappeared from the market, probably due to copyright problems. It is supposed to be coming back as Ffud, but I still haven't seen it available where I shop for beers.

Despite my longing for another bottle of Duff, at least there is Homero hefeweizen to satisfy my craving for a Simpsons related beer. This hefeweizen is very solid, medium-bodied and cloudy like a wheat beer should be. It has nice hints of banana and oranges, but the fruitiness is not overpowering. The one problem with the beer is that is was a little too carbonated.

You can buy a bottle of Cerveza Homero at El Deposito.