What the hell is a Mexican Lager? That’s what I want to know. There are lots of Mexican Lagers that come from Mexico, and they come in many different forms. In America, craft breweries are glomming onto “Mexican Lagers” left and right. But again, what are they aiming for? When I think of Mexican Lager, I think of a classic Vienna Lager like Negra Modelo or Noche Buena. Still, there are Mexican pilsners, too, like Corona and Dos Equis Special Lager. So which Mexican Lager are they trying to emulate?

What the hell is a Lechuza? That’s what I’d like to know. Actually, I do know now, and you will soon when you read the description of Lechuza Mexican Style Lager from Kennesaw, Georgia’s Dry County Brewery. Here’s what Dry County says on their website:

Lechuza is our Mexican Style Lager brewed with 2-Row Malted Barley, Vienna Malt and Flaked Corn. This very sessionable beer is 4.8% alc. and comes in at 3 SRM and 14 IBU’s. Straw like in color, it is crisp and refreshing with a nice, slightly sweet finish. “Lechuza” translated to English literally means Owl, and draws its name from an urban legend in Mexico... Stop by the brewery and we might tell you the full story.

They do use Vienna Malt here, though not a lot that I could find when I drank the beer at Taco Mac. Dry County is located in Kennesaw as I mentioned above, home of Kennesaw State University. KSU’s mascot is, you guessed it, an owl. I paid $6.13 for a 23-ounce mug at Taco Mac, and I have seen it at Target for $9.49 a six-pack in cans.

My mug of Dry County Lechuza Mexican Style Lager arrived pale golden in color with faint toasty malty notes in the nose, a smooth clean maltiness with hints of toasted nuts in the palate, and a balanced finish with a hint of hop bitterness.

Tasty enough, but I’d rather have a Negra Modelo if I wanted a Mexican Vienna Lager. Still and all, this is tasty enough as a pilsner-style beer with a bit of oomph. I’d buy it again or should I say, owl have another?

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

(G)=Growler



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