Dos Aves, Allende and Hechicera, a craft beer tasting in San Miguel de Allende

Published October 23rd, 2021

San Miguel de Allende has a large production of craft beer in its various varieties, and its producers offer tours of the local breweries.

The first visit is to Dos Aves, one of the pioneers, which was born in 2012; the tasting includes information on how everything was created. Its founders, Francisco Kameko and Mark Taylor wanted to make this place one for personal consumption; they did not imagine that it would become a business.

Initially focused on selling in the region, they are now in the entire Bajío and also in Mexico City and Quintana Roo, and have won more than 20 awards for their products, such as the Imperial IPA, which maintains a floral flavor with fruity touches.

The winner of the gold medal at the 2015 Mexico Professional Beer Competition was their American Pale Ale, with citrus flavors and aromas that don’t just stay in the nose but linger on the palate.

In addition to these two, Dos Aves handles two more styles of beer: Imperial Stout, one of the house favorites for its strong and roasted flavor, and Triple Belgian, which includes spices, fruits, cloves, and even cinnamon.

The second stop on the tour of this historic destination is in Allende, where there is a visit to the brewery to see the production and bottling process.

Allende is 100 percent Mexican, born in 2015 with the idea of creating beers attached to traditional techniques that manifest the love for Mexico. The taste of its beverages is for those who enjoy something light.

This brewery handles five styles: Golden Ale, clear with golden tones and compact white foam with floral and spicy aroma and citrus flavor; Brown Ale, mahogany brown with reddish streaks and compact cream foam, led by caramel and roasted nuts; Agave Lager is copper-colored with fast bubbles rising to white foam; amber IPA, with creamy beige foam; and Allende 100 with aroma of whole grain cereal and granola.

The third stop is at Hechicera, next to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This brewery’s selection is the one that offers the most style: Pale Ale, sweet with white foam; IPA with tropical fruits and organic coriander seeds; Porter, with complex aromas and flavors of roasted malts with oats and a touch of caramel; Sortilegio (Brown Ale), with smoked habanero chili aroma; Ninfa, is amber in color with floral and citrus notes; Honey, copper-colored with aromas of molasses and mesquite flower honey; Brown, ocher in color and wood and nutty flavor.