Bohemia Obscura

When I think of Mexican beer I generally believe there are two categories that all brews fall under, light beer and even lighter beer.  Even a heavier style such as Negra Modelo, my go to cerveza, doesn’t quite pass my threshold of what I would consider to be a strong beer.

So after growing weary of Dos Equis less than half way through my honeymoon, I happened to open the bar menu and came across a brew I’ve never heard of let alone tried. At the RIU Palace Las Americas, the bartenders refer to it as Bohemia Dark, elsewhere though, it’s known as Bohemia Obscura.

Obscura was the closest thing in Cancun that resembled craft beer I was able to locate. This Vienna style lager definitely featured above average malt use for a Mexican beer, but the sweetness typically found with this style was absent.

I believe they were attempting something a little chocolaty with undertones of hazelnut; however, it tasted more like unsweetened baking chocolate mixed with club soda. Further damning its review was the fact that it was a little flat as well. I’d like to assume it was just the resort needing to refill the CO2 canisters, but the kegged Dos Equis tasted as it should.

As I do intend to visit Mexico several times in the future, I will keep an ever watchful eye on the lookout for a craft beer presence. I just might have to fine tune my beer brewing skills and try to revolutionize resort beer myself. Until that day, whenever I drink in Mexico, I’ll keep my beer drinking to the little cantinas out and about the city where there’s a greater variety to choose from.

Bohemia Obscura comes in at 3 out of 10 mugs.

Bell’s Brewery Oberon

It’s been an unusually warm winter season full of delicious IPA’s, Stouts, Porters and just about any other beer thick and hearty enough to help stave off a mild winter chill. But as winter turned to warmth and the local bars opened their beer gardens, I find myself ready for something lighter and far crisper.

And just when I began to grow a little weary of the heavy stuff, Bell’s up and released Oberon for the first time this year reigniting my summer love fest with all things wheat.  It pours a thick head and has a beautiful golden color. A definite sweetness washes over your tongue in the form of mixed fruit, balanced enough to avoid identifying any one particular taste.

If you have the option, I would definitely recommend the keg variety. I usually don’t believe that the taste difference between bottle/keg is that drastically different, but as good as Oberon is in a six pack, it’s even better from the tap.  It comes through lighter and cleaner and accentuates the fruit tastes to a point where you can begin to pick out the flavor, plum and orange I believe.

 I do recommend being a little careful as the Oberon draft pours like sweet delicious water.  My first taste of Oberon this year was a draft and without even noticing, my pint was empty less than 5 minutes after it was placed in front of me. Although not particularly strong, any beer that you’re pounding in a matter of minutes without trying can lead to a quick drunk. It is that good though.

This is a beer that screams for grilling brats.

Bell’s Oberon comes in at 8.5 mugs out of 10.