Review: Modelo Especial Draft

...or, how carefully-laid plans get Cinco'd...

I know, I know…I was supposed to deliver a few thoughts on the oddball “BAKON” vodka. I had planned out a whole process on my first liquor review…had some thoughts on mixing…I even was going to offer an example of one of my non-famous Bloody Mary recipes.

Then, the spirit of the Battle of Puebla took over.

I decided to be part of the spirit of Mexico’s defeat of a superior French force by having a little nosh at a local Vancouver cantina, Los Potrillos. There, I found a bit of a rarity: a draft Mexican beer that wasn’t Dos Equis Amber or Corona! Always a sucker for the rare find, I decided to give this newcomer a go.

…only to find out, it was the ubiquitous “Bud” of Mexico, Modelo Especial. Oh…what the hell. Why not?

Fourty-four ounces later, I was reminded “why not”.

That I was hoping that having a Mexican beer on draft would be a significantly better experience than swilling from a longneck was folly. Have you ever had a Tecate, Corona, or Dos Equis? Exactly the same. Modelo Especial is just like every other Mexican offering outside of Negra Modelo. It’s hollow, daft, and good only for quelling the heat of jalapenos.

…but since I was in a standard, cookie-cutter Mexican joint, there was nary a Scoville to be found.

I had to brush that aside, though. After all, it’s Cinco de Mayo and I have a massive stein of beer! Yea! I’m in a party mood!

Yea…Yuh….sure, I’ll have another…Ugh…

I should have known. Having it “fresh” from the keg did absolutely nothing to change my rather ignoble opinion of Mexican beer offerings that are not Negra Modleo.

What disappoints me the most about this lager is that the puckering, tongue-coating film that builds as you drink completely demolishes the flavor palette. Seriously. After two hours, that film is STILL all I can taste…even after brushing by teeth.

So, I’ll have to wait a little bit before I can bring home the BAKON…

Until then, I offer my thoughts on this, a GLORIOUSLY TYPICAL representative of the Mexican lager arts.

May you have a happier Cinco than my taste buds!


Modelo Especial (Draft)
Brewed by : Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V.,- Mexico City, Mexico

Color: VERY pale straw …almost no color.

Nose: Nearly none…a green, grassy whiff…almost.

Flavor: Extremely light, but smooth malt sweetness. Decent body, typical of Mexican lagers. Hint of hops on the front end with a sour tinge at the back of the palette. Sourness builds the more you drink.

Verdict: Not quite as clean as other Mexican lagers like Dos Equis, but still a decent example of the l Mexican version of an Adjunct Lager. Having it on draft does nothing to freshen up the flat flavor and hollow nose. The tangy back end builds up very quickly and is the only lasting…and lasting…and lasting impression.