Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo has grown into a fairly large celebration in the US, thanks to several major beer producers.  However, it’s not Mexico’s independence day.  Instead, it was the victory of the weak Mexican Army against the stronger French Armies, and the holiday is quite minor in Mexico, except in the city of Puebla, where the battle took place.

In America, we will celebrate tonight as the people of Puebla do, with Spanish music, and authentic food and drink.  Right now, there is no shortage of imported Mexican beer to choose from.  Most people know about the Mexican Lager or Island Lager, such as Corona, but what you may not know is that Mexico revived a beer style that at one point was almost gone: the Vienna Lager.

The Vienna Lager was developed by Anton Dresher in Vienna in 1841, but the style never caught on in Europe.  Instead, it was revived in the late 1800’s by several Austrian brewers who emigrated Mexico, and has been popular since.

Great examples of the style include Negra Modelo and Dos Equis Ambar, and it is classified by being caramel-colored, being a bit sweeter malt flavored, and being light in body and smooth.

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo, and let me know how your night goes!