Beer Diary...

a quick wikipedia scan gives some clues of the origin of the doctoring of mx. light beer. Evidently it dates back to the 40's where at the prestigous club Deportivo Potosino lime, salt and ice were added. But, no reference as to why? I imagine that the light beers in the 40's were probably much better and more flavorful than they are today but who can say for sure. Could have been crap back then too. My beer ice or " mi chela helada ". An alternate theory that predates the wiki proposal: Brought to you by Don Roberto' michelada mix website states - The “Michelada” was first created in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution of 1910. As legend has it, the infamous military leader El General, Don Augusto Michel, would lead his battle hardened soldiers to his favorite cantina in San Luis Potosi to enjoy Mexican beer with lime and added hot sauce for character. Who's to say they aren't both correct or fictitious and really who's to care? Is there a ...

My day begins with the mile or so walk to the brewery. I follow a series of roads that run alongside a shallow river that skirts the center of town. Now, during the rainy season this river is brown and moves quickly towards the reservoir that spreads out past the old train depot. Discarded litter, plastic bags, dirty diapers and rotten vegetable matter all get transported by the rush of the tainted water along with voluminous amounts of dog shit that joins the parade as run-off from the cobbled lanes. But during the dry season it's tepid flow slows and turns to the neon yellow/green color of radiator fluid and emits a smell that can only be described as a combination of swamp gas, raw sewage and burning hair all of which it may actually consist of in part. San miguel is built in a canyon and I navigate to avoid the steeper hills but the last few hundred yards to the brewery can't be avoided and I labor to finish my walk. Once I ar...