Try?
I’ve never been to Mexico. At least not
yet, anyway. But I have enjoyed Mexican culture here in the good ole USA. In
most parts of Georgia that I’ve visited, Mexican restaurants are ubiquitous,
most of them with delicious freshly made dishes that are nothing like what
you’ll get at your local Taco Bell. Most also offer a decent selection of
Mexican beers, too, some of them on draft. Usually, at least one tap will
feature a Dos Equis product.
Frequently, that will be Dos Equis Amber. Dos Equis Amber may be a Mexican beer, but it is modeled after a decidedly German beer style. That should not be surprising, since German immigrants to Mexico gave a huge boost to its beer industry. One of them, a man named Wilhelm Hasse, founded Moctezuma Brewing in 1884. He rolled out Dos Equis Amber in 1897, naming the beer for the two Xs on the label. In Roman numerals, these signify twenty, in this case for the then approaching twentieth century.
Since then, Dos Equis has flourished. Though not as popular an import as Corona, it is still readily available in the United States, and I remember drinking it from time to time in bottles in my earliest beer drinking days. Today, I am much more likely to drink it on draft, and then mainly when I’m dining out at Mexican restaurants.
Let’s take a look at the beer.
Dos Equis Amber pours to a burnt caramel amber color with a thick foamy head and a soft, caramel malty nose. The palate features a very creamy, soft and clean maltiness with a very subtle hint of chocolate. The beer slowly thins into the finish, where it is slightly sweet. There’s not much in the way of hops going on here.
Overall, this is a very drinkable brew, but I think it definitely needs more hops and a bit more Munich malt oomph (some nutty flavors would be nice here). As far as Mexican Vienna lagers are concerned, I much prefer Negra Modelo.
Still, Dos Equis Amber is a great beer for washing down Mexican food with. My beloved Barbara and I enjoy sitting out on the restaurant patio whilst sharing a pitcher and munching on freshly made tortilla chips with spicy salsa. Perhaps it is the slightly sweet finish, but she very much enjoys this beer. It’s usually reasonably priced, too, with a pitcher running perhaps a dollar more than an equal amount of Budweiser.
And I would take Does Equis Amber over a Bud any day. While not the best example of its style, it’s a solid, very drinkable brew with much more flavor than your average American megabrew.
Frequently, that will be Dos Equis Amber. Dos Equis Amber may be a Mexican beer, but it is modeled after a decidedly German beer style. That should not be surprising, since German immigrants to Mexico gave a huge boost to its beer industry. One of them, a man named Wilhelm Hasse, founded Moctezuma Brewing in 1884. He rolled out Dos Equis Amber in 1897, naming the beer for the two Xs on the label. In Roman numerals, these signify twenty, in this case for the then approaching twentieth century.
Since then, Dos Equis has flourished. Though not as popular an import as Corona, it is still readily available in the United States, and I remember drinking it from time to time in bottles in my earliest beer drinking days. Today, I am much more likely to drink it on draft, and then mainly when I’m dining out at Mexican restaurants.
Let’s take a look at the beer.
Dos Equis Amber pours to a burnt caramel amber color with a thick foamy head and a soft, caramel malty nose. The palate features a very creamy, soft and clean maltiness with a very subtle hint of chocolate. The beer slowly thins into the finish, where it is slightly sweet. There’s not much in the way of hops going on here.
Overall, this is a very drinkable brew, but I think it definitely needs more hops and a bit more Munich malt oomph (some nutty flavors would be nice here). As far as Mexican Vienna lagers are concerned, I much prefer Negra Modelo.
Still, Dos Equis Amber is a great beer for washing down Mexican food with. My beloved Barbara and I enjoy sitting out on the restaurant patio whilst sharing a pitcher and munching on freshly made tortilla chips with spicy salsa. Perhaps it is the slightly sweet finish, but she very much enjoys this beer. It’s usually reasonably priced, too, with a pitcher running perhaps a dollar more than an equal amount of Budweiser.
And I would take Does Equis Amber over a Bud any day. While not the best example of its style, it’s a solid, very drinkable brew with much more flavor than your average American megabrew.
Update 6/13/2018: Harrah's Valley River casino has only a handful of taps, and on my visit tonight one of them was Dos Equis Amber. I haven't had it for a while, so I got one. Smooth and malty, drinkable if not exceptional. $4.71 for a pint is decent price point, too.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
