16 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

I put this in the recipe forum because I'm hoping that by the end of this thread, we bang out a recipe. I just got back from Mexico where I did some "beer research". Actually, my plan was to drink enough Victoria Lager to put myself into a short-term coma. I'm still alert and conscious, but I did drink a lot of Victoria and it renewed my fondness for it. My Hacienda Lager is supposed to be a clone of it and it's pretty close. When I was there, I noticed that some stores, bars and restaurants are "Modelo" places (Corona, Victoria, Pacifico, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial, etc) and other places carry the other popular brands from the other brewery (Moctezuma or something?)... Dos Equis, Sol, Tecate and a new one to me... Indio. It seems like an American Dark Lager to me, similar to Negro Modelo. It's a dark amber color but it doesn't really have a deep roasted flavor. It doesn't seem to be as sweet as Negra Modelo. It's light-bodied, relatively lightly hopped and refreshing. So I guess I'm wondering how they got it dark without it being roasty. Has anyone had this beer?

I threw something together (recipe-wise) to try to get a start.

Ken's stab at Indio

8 lbs American 2-row or Pilsner Malt
8 oz Crystal 120°L
maybe something like 2 oz of chocolate or 2 oz of black malt
mash low, maybe 148-149°
1 oz of something like Hallertau, Hersbrucker, Tradition, Tettnanger around 5 to 5.5% for 60 mins
White Labs 940 Mexican Lager yeast

OG: 1.048, FG: 1.012, IBU: 23, SRM: 12-14, ABV: 4.6%

[Big Nake]

I just went down to the fridge in the basement (where I have 2 smuggled bottles from MX... a Victoria and an Indio). The label on the Indio shows ABV 4,5% in small letters so I'm in the ballpark there. I also concluded that they could have used some debittered black malt to get the darker color without the beer being overly roasty.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

So I guess I'm wondering how they got it dark without it being roasty.

dehusked/debittered black malt?

[DaBearSox]

They have that stuff called sinmar I think...it is used to color beers and not add any flavor...I know Denny has talked about using it before. I need to go to Mexico and get some of these underground lagers they sound so tasty...I had a Del Norte Manana amber lager a few weeks ago...I was blown away, its a Mexican style amber that has won some awards...I want a recipe for that.

[Big Nake]

They have that stuff called sinmar I think...it is used to color beers and not add any flavor...I know Denny has talked about using it before. I need to go to Mexico and get some of these underground lagers they sound so tasty...I had a Del Norte Manana amber lager a few weeks ago...I was blown away, its a Mexican style amber that has won some awards...I want a recipe for that.

Where did you get this Del Norte beer? Is it only sold locally? I mentioned this somewhere, but I really like beers in this style and it's a kind of mish-mosh of Vienna, American Dark Lager and some other things thrown in. Negra Modelo, Shiner Bock, this Indio I'm talking about, Victoria, Gila Monster Amber Lager (a Trader Joe's product) and a few others have gotten my attention for being satisfying, thirst-quenching and a beer that you do not tire of. Yummy stuff.

[DaBearSox]

I randomly picked one up at a Liquor Mart here in denver...they had one fridge case for mixer sixers and I grabbed that one b/c I like amber lagers...I had never seen it before (or heard of the brewery) even though it is brewed in Colorado...probably a really small brewery but they have some accolades.

[Jack]

I randomly picked one up at a Liquor Mart here in denver...they had one fridge case for mixer sixers and I grabbed that one b/c I like amber lagers...I had never seen it before (or heard of the brewery) even though it is brewed in Colorado...probably a really small brewery but they have some accolades.

I'm one of the owners and brewers at Del Norte Brewing Co. in Denver. Thanks for buying our beer! If you'll give me a call at the brewery (303-935-3223), we can set up a time when you can swing by the brewery for tastings and a tour. Since we're the only US brewery that does nothing but Mexican-style lagers, we always enjoy talking about Mexican beers in general. Jack

[DaBearSox]

I'm one of the owners and brewers at Del Norte Brewing Co. in Denver. Thanks for buying our beer! If you'll give me a call at the brewery (303-935-3223), we can set up a time when you can swing by the brewery for tastings and a tour. Since we're the only US brewery that does nothing but Mexican-style lagers, we always enjoy talking about Mexican beers in general. Jack

Awesome! I love Denver I swear I find out about a new brewery around town everyday. Been doing the Ale thing for the last few years just getting into lagers, would love to come by and check out the brewery. Your Manana Lager was one of my pot-o-gold finds of 2009.

[Jack]

Where did you get this Del Norte beer? Is it only sold locally? I mentioned this somewhere, but I really like beers in this style and it's a kind of mish-mosh of Vienna, American Dark Lager and some other things thrown in. Negra Modelo, Shiner Bock, this Indio I'm talking about, Victoria, Gila Monster Amber Lager (a Trader Joe's product) and a few others have gotten my attention for being satisfying, thirst-quenching and a beer that you do not tire of. Yummy stuff.

Hi, Ken. I'm one of the owners and brewers at Del Norte Brewing Co. in Denver, and, unfortunately, our line of Mexican-style lagers is currently available only in Colorado and Wyoming. During 2010 we'll be expanding throughout the southwestern U.S., but we don't have any immediate plans to move into the Chicago area. That could change if the demand develops. Your recipe looks like it would produce a tasty beer. One suggestion I might offer if you want to clone Indio and avoid too much roasty flavor is to skip the black or chocolate malt and use more of a lighter crystal (maybe a C60 in the range of 10-15% of your grain bill). Indio isn't a very dark amber. If the beer isn't exactly what you're looking for, you can always adjust on the next batch. Good luck; I wish I were close enough to sample it.

[Big Nake]

Hey Jack: Your line of beers sounds like it's right up my alley. I will admit that on a 90° day here, I would go for something along the lines of a Pacifico, but my real passion is Victoria (brewed by Grupo Modelo) and I also enjoyed the Indio I tried as well. Neither of these beers are available in the US, as far as I can tell. So your brewery produces only Mexican-style beers? Interesting. Are there any pieces of information you can share with someone who has the same interest as you? I have a recipe on my site for Victoria (I call it Hacienda Lager) and I think it's pretty close when made with WLP940, Mexican Lager yeast. My plan for the Indio was to use some 120°L and also some debittered black. I didn't really get a lot of sweetness from this beer so it seemed to me that the crystal was either used sparingly or not at all... tough to tell. My other constant question is whether Mexican breweries employ the use of corn as frequently as we would think. Thanks for participating here & I look forward to talking with you further about these beers. Cheers.

[Big Nake]

Oh hey, your site is very cool... love the music. Your stuff sounds like my kind of beer. I even picked up a Mañana t-shirt and signed the guestbook! Now I need to find a way for you to ship me a sampler! Cheers & good luck.

[DaBearSox]

Oh hey, your site is very cool... love the music. Your stuff sounds like my kind of beer. I even picked up a Mañana t-shirt and signed the guestbook! Now I need to find a way for you to ship me a sampler! Cheers & good luck.

Ken, I am gonna try to go over there in the next few weeks and check them out. I could probably find some of there stuff around here and get some out to you.

[Big Nake]

DBS: If you could do that, that would be sweet. All of their beers sound good, but that Mañana sounds beautiful. If you have the chance to do that, let me know what you want from here and I'll send some stuff out your way. I have a mega-beer store within 5 minutes of me and they have a GIANT selection of beers. You're from this area, right? If there's anything you miss that you can't get there, please tell me. Cheers.

[DaBearSox]

DBS: If you could do that, that would be sweet. All of their beers sound good, but that Mañana sounds beautiful. If you have the chance to do that, let me know what you want from here and I'll send some stuff out your way. I have a mega-beer store within 5 minutes of me and they have a GIANT selection of beers. You're from this area, right? If there's anything you miss that you can't get there, please tell me. Cheers.

Should have Del Norte hook up with Rick Bayless and have them serve at his restaurant then maybe they can get some of it out in Chicago. The brewery's i miss the most that I can't get out here are Bell's and Two Brothers (grew up in Warrenville get back to the brew pub everytime I am home at my parents) Luckily some Goose Island stuff makes it out this way...I got a bomber of Bourbon County sittin in the fridge waiting for the perfect time to crack open. I'll keep in touch, and trust me the Mañana is spectacular

[Big Nake]

Ka-ching! Keep me posted and when we get closer, let me know what you would like from Two Bros and Bells. I can't remember when, but Bells made a comeback in Illinois and I believe it's available here again. Cheers.

[DaBearSox]

well Ken your box is full or something it says I can't message you...So i'll probably get over to the liquor store this weekend and grab a 6er of Manana or a mixer of their offerings if they have it available. When you get the chance shoot me over your address.

[Big Nake]

DBS: I PM'd you.

So I made my Victoria clone this morning (Hacienda Lager) and when this batch is done, I'm going to try to make a version of this Indio beer. It should go something like this...

Cantina Cerveza Oscura

7 lbs American 2-row or Pilsner Malt (haven't decided yet)
1 lb flaked corn
4 oz Crystal 120°L
2 oz debittered black malt
¾ oz Hallertau Mittelfruh 4.1% plus ½ oz German Hallertau 3.7% for 60 mins (5 AAU)
White Labs 940 Mexican Lager yeast

OG: 1.047, FG: 1.012, IBU: 22, SRM: 13, ABV: 4.5%


Sorry Jack... I stole your Cerveza Oscura!