Ipa Beers In Mexico: Exploring The Craft Scene

Mexico is known for its mass-market beers, but the country also has a thriving craft beer scene. In recent years, the craft beer phenomenon has spread across Mexico, with microbreweries popping up in various states. While it may be hard to find a craft beer in a convenience store, there are many brewpubs and taprooms in cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Queretaro.

One style of craft beer that can be found in Mexico is IPA (India Pale Ale). Several Mexican breweries offer their own take on this popular style. For example, the Baja Brewing Company, founded by Colorado native and Mexican expat Jordan Gardenhire, offers a Mexican IPA with flavours of orange marmalade and peach and a strong malt backbone. Another option is the Capitalist Pig IPA from Chela Libre, a cartoon-luchador-themed brewery. Texcoco Mystic Ales, a small microbrewery in Texcoco, offers a range of IPAs, including the Agonía/ Psicosis IPAs and Demencia, a black IPA.

IPA availability in Mexico

Mexico has long been known for its mass-market beers, but in recent years, the country has experienced a full-fledged craft beer revolution. While it can be challenging to find craft beer in convenience stores due to distribution issues, there are indeed IPA options available in Mexico.

One notable IPA available in Mexico is the Minerva IPA, produced by the Jalisco-based craft beer giant, Minerva. With 12 years in the industry, Minerva offers a rotating repertoire of special editions and eight permanent brand fixtures. Their IPA, at 6.5%, is worth seeking out if you're craving a beer with a strong hops presence.

Another IPA to try in Mexico is the Mexican IPA by Baja Brewing Company, also known as "Por Favor." This IPA has flavours of orange marmalade and peach, complemented by a strong malt backbone and a floral hop finish. With an ABV of 7%, this brew is not for the faint of heart.

In addition to these options, various other craft breweries in Mexico may offer IPAs, though distribution can be limited. Some notable craft beer brands to look out for include Tempus, María Bonita, Texcoco Mystic Ales, Rámuri, Seis Hileras, and Calavera. These breweries offer a range of unique and innovative beers, from rich stouts to refreshing ales, and you may be able to find IPAs among their selections.

While the craft beer scene in Mexico is still developing, with challenges such as high prices and limited distribution, there are indeed IPA options available for those who know where to look. So, if you're an IPA enthusiast visiting Mexico, be sure to seek out these craft breweries and enjoy the unique flavours they have to offer!

Mexican craft beer revolution

Mexico is a world-recognised beer-producing country, ranking fourth globally. It is also the world's number one exporter, selling more than double that of its closest competitor. However, this success has traditionally been driven by a few big players, with two breweries, Grupo Modelo and Cerveceria Cuautehmoc-Moctezuma, dominating the market. These breweries are responsible for well-known Mexican beers such as Corona, Modelo, Pacifico, Sol, and Tecate.

In recent years, however, there has been a craft beer revolution in Mexico, with an increasing number of small-batch craft beer and ale labels appearing regionally in local stores, restaurants, and bars. This revolution is partly a reaction to the state of modern Mexican commercial beer, which is often lacking in hops and variety.

The rise of craft beer in Mexico can be traced back to the 1990s when Mexican craft brewers began tasting craft beers from the US and wanted to create something similar. The first craft brewery in Mexico is credited to Gustavo Rodriguez, who discovered craft beer in Texas and, in 1995, bought a beer-making kit. In 2000, he opened Cosaco in Mexico City, which remains in business today.

Since then, the craft beer scene in Mexico has continued to grow, with an increasing number of breweries and brewpubs appearing in major cities. By 2013, there was a boom in craft beer production, and today, craft beer can be found in every state in Mexico. The industry has developed several associations, with the largest being the Unión Cervecera Independiente (UCI), which promotes the industry's interests.

Despite this growth, craft beer still only accounts for a small portion of the total Mexican beer market, with challenges including price, distribution, and consumer preferences for commercial brands. However, the future looks bright for Mexican craft brewers, with natural domestic and international markets, and a growing consumer interest in buying Mexican products.

Popular Mexican IPAs

Mexico's craft beer scene has grown enormously in recent years, with brewers delivering innovative spins on classics and experimenting with styles such as IPAs. Here are some of the most popular Mexican IPAs:

Ensenada Brewing's "Hazy India Pale Ale"

This IPA is a great example of a Mexican IPA, often featuring citrusy or tropical fruit notes that complement the country's warm climate. It's the perfect crisp and fruity beer to enjoy on a hot Mexican afternoon.

Cervecería Cru Cru's "IPA"

This IPA is another excellent choice for those looking for a traditional Mexican IPA experience.

Cervecería Calavera's "Buen Día IPA"

For a unique Mexican IPA, try the "Buen Día IPA" by Cervecería Calavera. This craft beer pairs perfectly with traditional spicy snacks and carne asada. If you're a fan of carne asada tacos, this IPA is definitely worth trying.

Baja Brewing's "Por Favor Mexican IPA"

Baja Brewing's "Por Favor Mexican IPA" is an aggressive brew with a 7% ABV and five different hop varietals. It's the perfect choice for those who enjoy a hoppy IPA.

Insurgente's "La Lupulosa IPA"

Insurgente is a socially conscious brewery based in Tijuana. Their "La Lupulosa IPA" is a great choice for hop-heads, and they also offer a Mexican Witbier designed with seafood in mind, featuring classic notes of orange peel and coriander.

Texcoco's "Agonía/ Psicosis IPAs"

Texcoco Mystic Ales is a small microbrewery in Texcoco, offering a handful of beers, including the "Agonía/ Psicosis IPAs", a black IPA, and a triple IPA. If you're looking for a beer from a small, independent brewery, Texcoco is a great option.

Mexican breweries

Mexico is witnessing a full-fledged craft beer revolution, with an increasing number of choices each year. While mass-market Mexican beers like Corona, Dos Equis, and Pacifico are well-known and widely consumed, the country is now home to numerous craft breweries producing a diverse range of beers.

One notable craft brewery is Cervecería Minerva in Guadalajara, Jalisco. With a 30% share of the craft beer market in Mexico, they offer an eclectic range of beers, including a Citra IPA and the "ITA," aged in tequila barrels. Cervecería de Colima is another prominent craft brewery, known for its flagship line of beers perfect for the beach, including a lager, a tropical lager, a pale ale, and a session IPA. They also offer specialty beers like an IPA, an imperial porter, and an imperial pilsner.

In the state of Baja, Cerveza Urbana is making its mark with two flagship brews: a West Coast IPA and a blonde ale. Expanding beyond local borders, their beers are now available in California, Utah, Arizona, and Chicago. Another notable craft brewery in Baja is Baja Brewing Company, which offers the Mexican IPA Por Favor, featuring flavours of orange marmalade and peach with a strong malt backbone and a floral hop finish.

Mexico City, or CDMX, is also experiencing a thriving craft beer movement. Casa Cervecera Morenos, for instance, takes a collaborative approach by sharing brewing spaces with established breweries. They release a new beer each month, experimenting with innovative recipes. Cervecería Paracaidista, another craft brewery in the city, produces year-round staples like a hoppy farmhouse ale, a Mexican lager, and an imperial American stout, along with seasonal and small-batch releases.

The rise of craft beer in Mexico has led to the emergence of various brewpubs and taprooms, particularly in cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Queretaro. This development has provided beer enthusiasts with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of craft beers and experience the creativity of Mexican craft brewers.

Mexican beer styles

Mexico is witnessing a full-fledged craft beer revolution, with an increasing number of choices each year. While mass-market Mexican beers are already quite good, the emergence of microbreweries and craft beers is adding more variety to the Mexican beer landscape.

One of the most well-known craft beer brands in Mexico is Tempus, based in Querétaro. They offer a wide range of popular brews, including the award-winning Tempus Dorada with hints of honey, the rich and dark Tempus Doble Malta, and the subtly oaky Tempus Alt Clásica. Another notable craft beer brand is Minerva, a Jalisco-based brewery that has been in the industry for over 12 years. They offer a rotating selection of special editions and eight permanent brand fixtures, including pale ales and imperial stouts. For instance, their Minerva Viena is recommended.

For those seeking unique and unusual beer varieties, Rámuri is a Mexico City-based brand with intriguing names for their creations, such as Lágrimas Negras (Black Tears) Oatmeal Stout and La Rubia del Templo Belgian Blonde Ale. They offer a range of styles, from barley wine to Russian imperial stouts. Seis Hileras, founded by three brothers passionate about beer, is another Mexico City brand worth trying. They have a limited selection, including the Seis Hileras Porter, which pairs well with red meat and chocolate, and their Bitter, which is better suited for seafood.

Baja Brewing Company, founded by Colorado native and Mexican expat Jordan Gardenhire, is also making waves in the craft beer scene. They offer a range of unique beers, such as the Baja Razz Raspberry Beer, a dessert in a glass, as well as an Oatmeal Stout and a Mexican IPA. Their Mexican IPA features flavours of orange marmalade and peach, with a strong malt backbone and a floral hop finish.

In conclusion, the Mexican beer landscape is evolving, with a growing number of craft breweries offering unique and innovative beers. While mass-market beers still dominate, the rise of microbreweries and craft beer brands is adding variety and giving consumers more options to explore and enjoy.

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