Exploring the Craft Beer Scene in Oaxaca Mexico

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Mexican craft beer is on the rise and one of the newest and most exciting destinations for craft beer aficionados is the state of Oaxaca. Recently, there’s been a surge of interest in and availability of small-batch, artisanal beer all the way from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido and Zipolite on the Pacific Coast. For craft beer fans like me, that’s great news.

A Short History of Beer in Mexico

Beer is one of the world’s oldest fermented beverages–some say that a hymn to the goddess of brewing was even discovered on a Sumerian clay tablet dated to 1800 BC.

French and Germans perfected those early beer making techniques of using natural ingredients of barley,  yeast, water and hops up until the 12th century with the rise of brewing guilds, beer was valued as a method of avoiding health risks of drinking contaminated water.

While the  tradition of beer-making in Mexico dates to 1542 when Emperor Carlos V of Spain granted  permission to open a cerveceria in the Americas. Mexico quickly established a reputation as a nation of beer lovers and exporters. However, the Mexican beer industry has been dominated by two multinational corporations which produce 99% of the beer.

Big brands such as Corona, Sol and Victoria became synonymous with good times. Launched in 1925, and produced by Cervecería Modelo, Corona Extra is one of the world’s top-selling beers.  It’s a lager beer, pale in colour with a touch of sweetness and virtually no hoppiness, the ingredient that contributes to the bitter taste of beer.

Inspired by British and American craft beers and growing interest in artisanal beer worldwide, the first Mexican craft beer breweries  launched in Mexico City and Monterrey in the mid 1990s. Since 2013, following the resolution of the Federal Commission of Economic Competition (COFECE) regarding non-exclusivity in beer distribution  in Mexico, the Mexican craft beer industry has exploded, becoming the world’s #1 exporter of craft beer according to a recent report by Deloitte Mexico. There’s no sign of a slowdown in growth.

Also growing is the acquisition of  independent breweries by large industrial producers. Most notable was the  acquisition of Cucapa, Cerveceria Tijuana,  Bocanegra and the family of brands of Cerveceria Mexicana by Anheuser-Busch InBev followed by a partnership between Heineken and Primus.

Fortunately the number of new craft breweries continues to expand, as does demand for Mexican craft beer, with Mexican beer micro breweries creating exciting new products known for their nuances of flavour, unique brand identities and diversity of styles.

One of the regions of Mexico experiencing an explosion of independent micro-breweries is the State of Oaxaca. I had the opportunity to explore developing Oaxaca’s craft beer scene  as part of the launch of the inaugural Spirit of Oaxaca Mexico: Mezcal & Beer Lovers’ Cultural Tour .

Led by Oliver Dawson a beer expert who established his career at The Upper Canada Brewing Co., Toronto’s original micro-brewery and Alvin Starkman, co-owner of Oaxaca Culinary Tours, the seven-day tour introduced us to mezcal, pulque (a popular fermented beverage made from agave) and cerveza artesanal artisanal beer. We also explored special cuisine during Day of the Dead festivities.

One of the pleasures of Mexican craft beer is the diversity of taste. During our tour, participants were tutored on the distinctive flavors of fresh, natural ingredients such as barley, wheat and hops during a special event at La Olla restaurant in Oaxaca City where Chef Pilar Cabrera created a four-course menu paired with Tempus beer, Mexico’s first altbier, a traditional style German ale, brewed by Primus Brewery.

Another top spot for sampling International and Mexican craft beer in Oaxaca City include the Tabeerna Los Inmortales where you’ll find beer brewed everywhere from Russia to the state of Oaxaca. You can also enjoy Mexican craft beer from The Beer Truck Company often parked along with a variety of food trucks in the San Felipe del Agua neighbourhood north of the historic centre.

By far, the largest selection of Mexican craft beers in Oaxaca City can be found at the Alhondiga Reforma Mercadito Gourmet where not only can you find bottled Mexican craft beer from brands such as Cerveceria Tierra Blanca, Cerveceria Calendula and Cerveceria Mula, but you can also find Alhondiga draft craft beer on tap in styles such as IPA, stout and amber.

Oaxaca’s First Micro-Brewery Teufel Cervezas Artesanales

Another of the stops along the beer-tasting route was at Oaxaca’s first micro-brewery, Teufel Cervezas Artesanales, perched above a lush valley in San Andres Huayapam. Brewmaster Fernando Bolaños and his wife Fernanda Suelto spent six years in Germany honing their brewing skills and their ever-evolving line of award-winning beer includes Babalao a medium-bodied ancient ale featuring malted blue corn and Portfirio Porter Mezcal, definitely worth a try.

Very popular among their intriguing craft beers is Chica Mala an Imperial Red Ale with the lovely aroma of rosita de cacao, an ingredient more typically seen in the chocolate-maize drink known as tejate.

Although demand for their beer is high, Teufel is committed to small-batch quality. If you’re in Mexico City, you can sample their beer at Pujol restaurant, a worthy food destination in its own right.

Craft Beer in Puerto Escondido Oaxaca

Some of this fine-quality artisanal beer is now making its way to the beaches of Puerto Escondido on the coast of Oaxaca. Unlike Playa el Carmen on the Caribbean coast where several restaurants and bars sell a wide range of International and Mexican craft beer and Puerto Vallarta where Los Muertos brewing is well-established, choices are slimmer in Puerto Escondido.  But to the delight of craft beer fans, there’s a new micro-brewery producing quality craft beer.

Biercito Brewery

This nano-brewery is a German-Mexican fusion producing four permanent styles of beer — Escondida Blonde Ale, a Mexican Pale Ale, La Alemana Hefeweizen, and the Oaxaca de Noche Stout. Operated by Alex, a German expat and Adelina, a local Mexican (who also owns and operates the luxury boutique hotels Casa Lili and Quinta Lili) the meticulous brewing techniques at Biercito Cerveza Artesanal produces a consistently high quality Mexican craft beer despite the challenges of brewing in a tropical climate.

ONE LOVE and other Hip Eateries

Historically,  the most extensive selection of Mexican craft beer had been available at Beer O’Clock ( now closed) where owner Virginie (from France) offered  a nicely-curated selection of more than 80 craft beer from around the world including Eel River, America’s first certified Organic Brewery as well as Mexican craft beer such as Minerva, Cucapa and Tempus.

Now you can find many of those brands at ONE LOVE restaurant in La Punta. Read our full Review of One Love Restaurant to learn why we fell in love with this cool spot.

Almoraduz Restaurant

Other spots serving artisanal craft beer in Puerto Escondido include Almoraduz Restaurant on the Rinconada where chef Quetzalcoatl Zurita Bustamente, who is a firm proponent of locally-sourced cuisine, offers Bendito, a nano-cerveceria beer (claro and oscuro) brewed in Santa Catarina Juiquila, located between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido, and an important  pilgrimage site for the revered Virgin of Juiquila.

So, the next time you’re thinking of having a beer, think small (and big taste) and reach for one of the new artisanal Mexican craft beers from Oaxaca.

Travel Guide to Craft Beer in Oaxaca Mexico

Oaxaca Culinary Tours: Custom tours with beer and culinary pairings are available. www.oaxacaculinarytours.com

Beer Lovers Tours: Learn more about beer and take a beer-themed tour with the pros.

Almoraduz located on the Rincondada in Puerto Escondido offers a selection of Mexican craft beer Open 8:00 am-11:00 pm daily

Learn more about what to drink in Oaxaca in A Beginner’s Guide to Mezcal.