Country of Origin: Mexico
Price comparison: About a buck more than I pay for everyday beer. Not bad.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 5.35%
Cute bottle/label? Four-pack of 12-ounce brown glass bottles. Label is a painting of a collage of bottles, done in the Oaxacan style. I can honestly say I bought the beer at least in part because I was attracted to the label art.
Appearance: Dark reddish brown; clear and bubbly. The head didn't retain at all, but did leave a bit of fizz floating on top.
Scent: Cranberries and malt.
Flavor: Malty, with just enough bitterness to make it interesting. There's a bit of a sweetness-with-acidity, like honey-lemon tea, in the background.
Impressions: I was looking for a new beer to have with Mexican food because I seem to have lost my taste for Corona. This pale ale comes off like a cross between one of the Belgian pale ales and an English bitter, closer to the English, but still, very pleasant and refreshing. I don't think I'd mind this by itself, but it comes off as pretty versatile, in that it would pair just as well with nachos and guacamole as it would with empanadas or carne asada. I also see no reason not to have this with a slice of pizza.
Will I buy this beer again? We eat a lot of Mexican food around here.
Rating:
3½ out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: October 12, 2003
