Beers in Mexico - Review

Tecate, a very common beer found in Tijuana, and all over Baja California. Pretty light stuff, very regular stuff, nothing special, pretty much like your Heineken. Drinkable, cheap, but not AWESOME.

Time for the more interesting stuff locals drink here. Modelo, Sol and Corona, common Mexican beers found around the world, is slightly better here. Of all the 3 beers, I would say Modelo is the best here, but nothing to celebrate as it still taste mass produced, but consistently ok.

Beware of Beer + Clamato....It exists here!

Some say beer in a can taste not as good, and after trying Tecate in a bottle and can, as well as Corona and Modelo, I would say I agree with them.

 Now with the good stuff here.

Tijuana beer is a craft beer, and I would say, the taste of Tijuana Morena is much better than all the previous beer I've tried. The bouquet of the beer is still lacking and I would say that if smell was part of the experience (which it is), this beer is definitely short of perfection.

Tijuana Bufadora is slightly darker and does have a good taste as well, the beers are pretty light, very drinkable, but again, the aroma of the hops are not present like Samuel Adams or much of the other German beers I've tried.

Modelo and Negra Modelo is also pretty good. They are great largers, rather blonde, rather light and sweet after taste. Negra Modelo is my favorite thus far, I would say perhaps the taste may not be as great as the Tijuana Beer, but I do like the overall after taste and drinking experience.

Potro is surprisingly interesting to me. Its a dark beer, in fact, it looks like its beer + coffee, and does have a burnt taste to it, but the beer is smooth, light and does not taste anything like a stout. I rather like it, but take it from me, I don't like stouts.

I like Guinness only when it is cold and very fresh, and this is a very much lighter version of Guinness. With almost no aftertaste at all.

Barrilito was the last one I've tried, and compared to the group, I could not even recommend it. I would say, if it was any other day, I may have liked it, but with many other good beers in front of me, I would not say the same.

I would say the beers of Mexico are definitely worth trying and for their price, they are fantastic. Do it the Mexican way too, add some lime and it does improve the taste greatly!

-- Robin Low

Ricky's @ Rosarito Beach BC

Ricky's bar seems like a Mexican bar from the 1980's with relatively impressive sound system. It is very quirky and seems weird at times.

There is Halloween decorations and a X-mas Tree, random signed dollar bills, ladies underwear and bras on the walls. Could it be that fun a place?

Then comes Ricky, a man in his 60's with a cowboy hat and a unique laughter that brightens up the place. Ricky can go up and down the pole all night long! And the crowd continuously cheers him on!

Going to Ricky's is definitely an experience, and the drinks is cheap. There is live entertainment as the patrons sometimes participate in the "festivities"

Its Christmas, Halloween and what ever thing you want to celebrate at Ricky's Bar all year round!

If you are at Rosarito Beach, Baja California, MEXICO, do come by and check it out.

-- Robin Low

 

Don Quixote

Art by David Silvah 

Don Quixote is considered the most influential work of literature from the Spanish Golden Age and the entire Spanish literary canon.

And incidentally, it is also one of my favorite stores in Japan.

It sells all sorts of random stuff at a relatively low price.

Well, I really love the various art done in Baja Galley on Don Quixote and was wondering if there can possibly be a collaboration for some real Don Quixote products to be sold in Japan?

I think it will be a hit!

-- Robin Low

Tecate - The beer and the town.

I tried Tecate and rather liked the flavor. And I traveled to a small town in Baja California to visit Tecate.

Tecate is surrounded by hills and mountains, and the road is windy and interesting, and drive is enjoyable.

When I arrived at Tecate, the Beer factory is there!! And of course it is easy to find Tecate Cerveza everywhere. In the middle of the town, there is a beautiful town square, where you can find cafeterias, ice cream shops and craft stores, along with a beautiful park. The park is kinda small, and there are amigos serenading in the street corner.

Tecate is famous for Bread and Beer, a strange combination, which I am not sure if you should have them together.

Tecate Brewery also offers a brewery tour, but you need to make sure you check with them as they only open for specific hours.

Its a very beautiful place  and the journey is relaxing. Great place to chill and visit!

-- Robin Low

Rosarito Art Fest 2012 -- Review

Rosarito Art Festival 2012 Review

It is time for Rosarito Art Festival again. Located at Rosarito Beach, about 30 minutes south of the border from San Diego, this is an annual even which attracts thousand of crowds to attend. Why is this event so popular? Let me share my experience here.

1) Location.

Coming from San Diego Airport, just taking Highway 5 South towards Mexico, the ride was relatively smooth until you get near the border, where traffic starts piling up and start an go traffic is encountered. Even when driving down on a Memorial Day weekend, it took us less than 30 minutes of traffic before crossing the border. And the border crossing seemed very smooth and easy, no hassle and checks.

2) Scenic journey.

Leaving the border, you get to see people coming up to wash your windows, the regular Southern California thing, but shortly after, the route becomes a beautiful mountaneous road. Passing through hills and beautiful sunset scene on the beach, the route is smooth and enjoyable and no drama. There seems to be a lack of traffic lights and not that it is a bad thing, but you get all the way to Rosarito Beach without stopping.

3) Food.

If you like Mexican food, well, this is Mexico. Things here are half the price of San Diego. I enjoy a good burrito from time to time, and somehow, Mexican food here is better. Jalapenos here are dangerously spicy though, had a grilled one, and it BURNS. Try a little before throwing anything green in your mouth. It may not be Guacamole.

4) Drinks.

Beer, tequila, margarita... You have it all in the motherland. It is definitely cheaper and infact better. An advice from a local, keep away from Corona here. The Corona is much better further south, but there are a lot of interesting beers, all sort of summer beer for the summer like weather. I've tried many, all pretty good, and none really catching my attention. Unlike many countries, so far, the random beers are pretty good even when they are pretty damn affordable.

5) Art.

Well, this is an Art festival, and strangely, Rosarito Beach is known for -- ART. At Rosarito Art Festival, there are more than 100 artists, and there are many galleries across the road from the Art Fest. So after the show, you can easily get to the other galleries to chat with the artists and view the art in the galleries.

6) Party!

Well, the party never ends here at Rosarito beach. At midnight, the party just started and there are tons of bars at Rosarito beach to party at. Just follow the loud music, and there is no quiet here. Drinks are cheap, pretty ladies are plenty, what else do you ask for?

7) Beach?

The name Rosarito Beach says that there is a beach here. Walking to the beach, I do see the regular people suntanning, but strangely no one in the water. I went to test the water, feeling it with my hands and it definitely felt COLD! Damn, like New England Cold.

Even on a bright sunny day, the water is COLD! I guess it would be nice when everything is hot and humid to chill in the cold waters, but I did not give it a go. But the cold water does have its benefits, and the temperature here is nice and cool, and it seems to be this way year round.

7) The people.

I was glad to know that many people speak and understand english. WAY MORE THAN SPAIN or BARCELONA! With my weak conversational Spanish, I could order anything in the restaurant, ask for the toilets and price of things. People here are hospitable and friendly, and local guys on the streets may look intimidating in a large group, but are fun and friendly.

Overall, I enjoyed myself at Rosarito Beach and Rosarito Art Festival. It is very interesting and fun, none of the pretencious high art crap, even though many of the arts are high quality fine arts. I would recommend coming to the Rosarito Art Fest 2013, and this is definiely a family and party friendly place for all ages.

The weather is perfect, cool and sunny, and just come experience it for yourself.

-- Robin Low