Red Pig Mexican Ale

Red Pig Amber/Pale Ale?

5.5%ABV

4 out of 5

This beer was very surprising. The brewer, Cervecería Mexicana, doesn't make the most exciting beers, and there is no description on the bottle that told me what to expect regarding this beer. A 4 out of 5 is a little generous, should be more like 3.5, but I don't want to start using fractions.

 Red Pig is a medium-bodied copper colored ale, pours with little head, and tastes like a slightly sweeter version of a pale ale. It is slightly caramely and pretty hoppy, but finishes dry and sort of flat. It is somewhat similar to the Minerva Pale Ale, but I think I prefer the Red Pig for its slightly more complex flavors. If this beer was slightly less watery and a bit more hoppy, this could be a really solid and interesting beer. I find this beer to be fairly drinkable and won't hesitate to drink it again if the price is right.

Red Pig is available at La Belga for 25 pesos/bottle.

Ocozol Tripa

Ocozol Tripa (Belgian Trippel?)

????ABV

2 out of 5

I think this is supposed to be a Belgian Trippel, but it is unlike any Trippel I have ever had. There is the slight spiciness one expects from Belgian ales, but this beer is way too sweet. If you took a mediocre Belgian ale and poured a few packets of sugar in it, it would approximate this beer. Nevertheless, this is the most drinkable beer I have had from Ocozol and it is certainly not unpleasant. If they work on the recipe more they may end up with a solid Belgian Ale.


The Tripa is available on draft at Makena in a 10oz serving for 45 pesos, or a pint for 60 pesos.

Ocozol Porter Pimienta

Ocozol Porter with Black Pepper

????ABV

0 out of 5

The picture says most of what needs to be said about this beer. It looks like a porter, but is extremely sour. The pepper is definitely apparent and makes the sourness all the more unbearable. Three people could not even drink half of this beer.

I wish the best for Ocozol, and applaud them for trying to make some interesting beers, but they really need to work on their recipe and their process.

The Ocozol Porter is available at El Deposito and Makena.

International #IPA Day, August 4th!

Coming soon, a worldwide celebration of the India Pale Ale! If you are in Mexico, August 4th will be the perfect day to track down and enjoy the Runaway IPA by Cucapá. Maybe this event will also serve as a catalyst for more craft brewers in Mexico to start making IPAs? I can only dream...

For more info on the worldwide event, check out the official site and Beer Advocate.

Cerveza Querétaro

Querétaro Amber Ale

5.5%ABV

2 out of 5

Cervecería Querétaro only makes this one Amber Ale. This medium-bodied ale is copper colored and cloudy, and has hints of vanilla and malt. It is a drinkable beer, but not great. The brewery does have potential though, so I look forward to any future beers they make or a new version of the Amber Ale.

Finding this beer in Mexico City is not easy. I found this bottle at the Beer Box for about 30 pesos, but I have not seen it available anywhere else for sale or to drink. 

Cucapá La Migra Winter Imperial Stout

Migra Imperial Stout (Winter 2010-2011)

8.2%ABV

3 out of 5

This imperial stout by Cucapá is made with oatmeal and Oaxacan chocolate. The chocolate gives it a very bitter taste. It is a little too weak-bodied to be a solid imperial stout, but it is still a good beer. There is also a nice hint of hops that complements the bitterness from the chocolate.

I have never seen this for sale in the store, but I did recently find it at Al Andar in the Centro Histórico. My guess it is out of season and no longer available, but for some reason Al Andar has several bottles. This 650ml bottle cost 180 pesos, which is a little too pricey for a stout that is not very well made.