Beer Review: Mexican Cerveza

Knowing my father-in-law's beer/wine event was coming in just 6 weeks I decided to make a brew that would really hit the spot on a hot summer day.  The first thing that came to mind was a bud light Lime.  I expected most of the other craft brews to be heavy and dark so I wanted to bring some contrast.  Speaking with some of the workers at my local shop I chose to stay away from adding in my own Lime flavor.  Instead, I wanted to make a beer similar to a corona, and allow the addition of lemon or lime to each individual drinker.  That's how my eyes found the "Mexican Cerveza"!

Don't ever drink beer out of these cups, its only for show

Experimenting is good.

I picked up the recipe from this shop and got the beer going the next day!  I heard from a few owners that it wasn't necessary to rack the beer into a secondary fermentation carboy.  To each his own, but I am all for less is more.  I noticed sediment on top of the batch, but made careful to not bottle any of it.

At the event, several people commented that my beer tasted like "Corona's sister."  It didn't get rave reviews, but I am partly to blame because I didn't even bring any lime!  As a side note I also brought some home made limoncello (recipe from my aunt), which turned out to be a BIG hit...

Can I make one?

YES.  I made this in the kitchen of my apartment.  You need to run your air conditioning through the night, because you don't want it getting too warm.  I kept mine at a steady 80 degrees farenheit.  It cost me $30 for the ingredients and made me almost 50 bottles.  Using only one bucket I still got a great tasting beer.



Drink up!



So how does it taste?

It has a very similar taste to a Corona, and every bit as refreshing.  The main difference is it tastes less filtered.  It is much more RAW and natural tasting than a manufactured beer.  If you sat it next to a corona, MGD, or bud light... you may mistake one of the three brand name beers for water. I haven't even added a lime yet, because I haven't needed it, but it would be a great addition. 

Home Brew

Beer is an international symbol of being a Man. With that being said, I believe it is your responsibility as a man to craft your own brew. This process is simple, will save you money, a great hobby, and will put some hair on your chest.

SIMPLE

If you have the ability to follow a basic recipe, such as making a pot of soup, then you can make beer. You will need a 3-gal pot(or larger), a 6 gal(or larger) food grade bucket, air-lock, a large spoon, ingredients(your beer kit of choice), 5 gallons of water, and a kitchen. You will cook the ingredients for about 90 minutes, after bringing your pot to room temperature you will add the most important ingredient - Yeast! After sealing your bucket with an airlock you have about 4 weeks until your beer is ready.

SAVE $$

An average case of Budweiser you are looking at about $20. Most kits to make beer will produce 2 cases of beer, and cost as low as $25. Last month I made a corona knock-off, which I promise you tastes better than Corona, for $32. For an equivalent store bought(2 cases of Corona) would cost you roughly $50. If you are making 2 cases of beer per 2-months you can save yourself $108 in a year for a BETTER product.

GREAT HOBBY

Everyone loves the guy who always shows up with a six-pack. How about being the guy who shows up with a 6-pack of home brew?? Not only will you be a huge hit with your friends, but you will enjoy the process. It allows for a very basic approach as I outlined here, but also allows for an infinite amount of refining your brewing method and becoming a true 'pro'.

Start Today! Locate your local Home Brew store, and pick up your supplies. WARNING: They will try to sell you many gadgets, trinkets, and tools that you won't need to make your first beer. If you end up loving the hobby and want to invest in their advanced mechanisms that is fine, but don't do it your first time into the store. Pick up the essentials, and leave. Drink one for me.