Heathwick have heard the word on street is Mexican Craft Beers are in demand and experiencing an exciting revolution of their own. So we went out and sourced some of the best microbreweries in Mexico and tried some incredible beers. Packed with flavour and skilfully balanced, these beers are what's really great about the craft beer boom - discovering new and exciting breweries with the expertise and creativity to brew truly excellent beer.
The first delivery is expected very soon... but in the meantime, here's some background on the two breweries we'll be working with and the low down on the four new beers you can expect to see over here in the UK in the near future.
Cucapa Brewing Company
Founded in December of 2002 in Mexicali by Mario Garcia, Cerveceria de Baja California was one of the first microbreweries in Mexico to open its doors.
Over the next three years, as well as opening a Brew Pub in the city of Mexicali, the brewery began planning what would become their first production and bottling plan. Launching a range of beers in 2006 called Cucapa. The name means “people of the water” and is in honour of the native tribe of Baja California. The Cucapas are pioneers of the region and their love for water and nature took them to live in the delta of the Colorado River in the desert of Mexicali.
With beers made from local ingredients to give them a unique touch, the brewery is the first Mexican micro-brewery to receive a score of over 90 points from Beverage Tasting Institute. In fact, the Cucapa Brewering Company as it is now known, is recognized by Beer Advocate, Rate Beer and the Beverage Tasting Institute as the best rated beer in Mexico since 2006.
Their art, beer and style are based on a blend of Mexican and American cultures that relates to living on the border with the U.S. The brewery incorporates a mix of both cultures in everything they do, which really shines through in the beers.
Coming Soon: We'll got three beers from the Cucapa brewery: Classica Blonde Ale, Honey Amber Ale & Chupacabras American Pale Ale.
Cucapa Classica
Blonde Ale
4.5% ABV
At once, the soft sweetness of malt can be felt, as well as bit of the light character of bread, cookies and wheat. The nose can also perceive its sweet and fruity nature. Since the liquid is not too bitter, the malt is easily noticed. 20 IBUs
Food Match: It is good to pair with spicy foods and salmon.
Available year round in bottle.
Buy online here
Cucapa Honey
Amber Ale
4.5% ABV
Several American hops of a citric nature and high levels of malt, provide taste and aromas to this amber beverage, where it is also easy to detect fruity esters and a moderate honey character that make it worthy to bear this name. 30 IBUs.
Food Match: It goes well with poultry, grilled meats and fish.
Available year round in bottle.
Buy online here
Cucapa Chupacabras
American Pale Ale
5.8% ABV
Chupacabras is a present-day mythical creature, said to prey on livestock. Used to name Cucapá American Pale Ale, it is reddish-amber in colour and smells and tastes like hops, caramel, malt with notes of fruit, toasted bread and cake. IBUs 40.
Food Match: It goes wonderfully with meat loaf and cheeses.
Available year round in bottle.
Buy online here
Cinco De Mayo
The Cinco De Mayo (C5) Brewery was founded in the town of Atlixco de Puebla, on December 5, 2012, by six Mexicans and a ‘foreigner’. Their intention was to passionately show off their love of beer, through attaining exceptionally high standards that distinguishes them as an organisation.
The effort and attention to every detail of the manufacturing process is C5’s guarantee of quality and taste, which is why the brewery considers their work an art for the enjoyment of the senses.
Even the water used in the brewing process has been thoroughly thought through. After carrying out analysis of local water in the state of Puebla, in search for the perfect water, they chose the city of Atlixco as the home of the brewery.
The factory is located at the Hacienda San Mateo in the heart of Atlixco which was founded in the 17th century and is an iconic place not just for its beauty but also its historic value.
Cinco De Mayo (5th of May) is one of the most important dates in Mexican history and now considered a time of celebration for the birth of the Mexican nation as it is today. A celebration without a Cinco de Mayo beer is simply not a celebration. Salud!
C5 Saga
Spiced Blonde Ale
6% ABV
The name of SAGA is derived from the series of events that occurred leading up to the Battle of May 5th, the battle that defined the modern Mexican nation.
Created with a base malt and spiced with orange peel and coriander, this golden beer is fruity and fresh with citrus notes. 25 IBUs
Food Matching: Particularly good with white meats and salads, it is also great with marmalade marinades and delicate flavours.
Available year round in bottle.