21 May 4th–May 10th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | FULL BAR! 2003 Bills of $50 or more Dine-In or Take Out Not Including Combinations Dinner Only Expires 12/31/23 Closed On Tuesdays $5 OFF 2050 N. Alma School Rd., #36 • 480.857.4188 batch from the brewhouse in Gilbert until it’s to his taste. While each brewer creates their own interpretation of the style, drinkers are ordering Mexican-style lager across the board. Tio Oso’s is Uncle Bear’s top seller. Osborne, who took a break from brewing Pedal Haus’ Mexican Amber Lager to discuss it, says they were brewing enough to fill 120 kegs. This time last year, Pedal Haus was filling 30 kegs. Flying Basset launched its Mexican lager El Capitan just over a year ago. Since its release, the beer has received several awards, including the Guild’s gold medal for lager and bronze for Best in Show, an award that takes into account all beers and styles entered in the competition. Archuleta says he based the lager recipe off one he created as a homebrewer, adjusting the balance of corn to get the taste without an overwhelming sweetness or aroma. While craft breweries are often associ- ated with IPAs, brewers say they welcome the return to more straightforward styles like lagers. And, while it may be easy to dismiss lagers as simple, brewers point out that the simplicity doesn’t hide any flaws. “Lagers are my favorite thing to brew. You can’t hide anything,” Archuleta says. “For me, when it comes to lagers, less is more.” Huss echoed Archuleta. “It is harder to make a really good, clean lager,” she says, joking that it’s similar to wearing a thin dress out of the house. “You’re kind of exposing yourself when you’re making a light-colored, really clean, crisp lager.” Corona’s Connection to Cinco de Mayo Corona has tied itself to Cinco de Mayo, – a holiday that was revitalized in the U.S. as part of the Chicano movement of the 1960s and 1970s, celebrating connections to Mexico. Today, the holiday sits alongside St. Patrick’s Day as a day often devoid of appropriate cultural connection in favor of consumption. Bar specials and parties abound, more often used to signal the kickoff to summer. Archuleta says for his family in New Mexico, who trace their roots back to Mexico and El Salvador, it’s a day more centered on spending time with family and cooking together. “Cinco de Mayo is more about authentic food and authentic time with the family,” he says. Ortega said he’s indifferent about the holiday, but adds that he’s excited to see Arizona craft brewers embrace Mexican- style lager-making and reintroduce the perspective of small, independent brew- eries to the style. “If we can take a little piece of the pie back from some of the bigger players and make some quality craft Mexican lager, I’m all for it,” he says. Brewers from p 19
