How many styles of beer have you tasted so far? Would you like to try a Mexican beer? Dos Equis is the perfect beer to go for. We like this beer because it offers different flavors. Depending on your taste preferences, you can opt to go with Dos Equis Lager Especial, Dos Equis Ambar Especial, or Dos Equis Lager Lime & Salt.
Since we will be talking more about these types later in the article, it is essential that we first answer that question you’re already asking yourself. So, what is Dos Equis? This is a Mexican beer labeled with two X’s and was created by Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery. We recognize Dos Equis because it is proved to be famous and palatable. You might as well find this relatable if you have seen its commercials.
When we tasted various brands for this beer, we were surprised by its pleasant flavor. Dos Equis is a great beer that deserves a fair shot. Would you like to learn more about it? Here is what we have for you!
Where did Dos Equis originate from?
Dos Equis has a pretty interesting history that goes way back to 1897 when it was created by Master brewer Wilhelm Haase, the founder of Moctezuma. Originally, Haase was born in Germany but always had a dream of brewing Mexican beer. To chase that fantasy, he immigrated to Mexico, where he could come up with a wonderful and the most delicious beer.
Initially, he had named the beer “Siglo XX,” which refers to the “Twentieth Century.” However, he later renamed it Dos Equis, a name that originates from the Roman numeral for twenty (XX). The beer was not famous until the ad “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” was created. Now, it’s a magnificent beer sensation.
Ingredients
The key ingredients that make Dos Equis flavorsome include water, corn/starch, malted barley, yeast, ascorbic acid, and hops.
How Dos Equis is made
The brewing process of this beer has never changed since it started in 1897. Hence, today, Dos Equis is brewed in the same way, and the current makers have not compromised the quality. With five simple steps, you can also come up with your own version of a Dos Equis. Want to give it a try? Here is what to follow:
- Malting: Once you acquire barley grains, malting is the first thing you do. So, immerse the grains in the water, which encourages the barley to sprout. Ensure that the sprouting process is complete for the grains to produce the required brewing enzymes.
- Brewing: Now that you have obtained starch from the malted barley, convert it into fermentable sugars and add your hops to enhance flavor. At this point, set your mixture to boil so that it can become something know as wort. Don’t know what that is? It is the liquid you extract from the mixture process while brewing your beer.
- Fermentation: Add yeast to convert the sugars into carbon dioxide and alcohol. That is how you make a carbonated beer. It is also in the same process that your beer will get a flavor depending on the strains of yeast used. If you didn’t know, various beers get their distinct and different flavor profiles during fermentation.
- Lagering: Keep the beer at a low temperature for a certain amount of time to allow the beer to saturate with CO2. Here, the yeast will settle at the bottom of the barrel.
- Filtration: At this stage, filter the remaining yeast cells for you to be left with a clear beer ready for serving.
For those interested, that’s the general process of making a Dos Equis. Let’s now take a look at differently flavored brands of Dos Equis. Are you eager to find out?
What are the different types of Dos Equis?
You’re probably wondering how does Dos Equis taste like, right? Since it offers different brands with distinct palates, we’ll go through each one of them. But, we undoubtedly believe that you’ll love their fragrant flavors.
Dos Equis Lager Especial
We think every beer drinker should taste this remarkable brand. You can easily spot Dos Equis Lager Especial from the rest of the beer styles. It is a golden pilsner made from high-quality hops and pure spring water. If you fear dreadful hangovers, this beer does not overstay its welcome to the party, thanks to its balanced formulation and a super smooth, clean finish.
Aside from that, Dos Equis Ambar Especial is a light-tasting and flavorful type of beer. It contains spices, a subtle blend of malts, and earth tones. We also appreciate the nutritional facts about this unique beer because they are quite reasonable.
Per one serving of 12 fl. oz., you’ll consume 131 calories, 0g fat, 11g carbs, 4.2% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), and 10 IBU (International Bitterness Units). The beer is available in different packs. So, it all depends on your preferences.
If you have an occasion or party in your house, we recommend the bottled type of pack, which offers a 6-pack, 12-pack, 18-pack, and a 24-pack. You could also opt for cans, but there are only a 12-pack and 18 pack.
Dos Equis Ambar Especial
Everything about this exceptional Vienna style lager is classic, and we wouldn’t get tired of applauding the maker. Dos Equis Ambar is full-bodied and surprisingly easy to drink beer with a clean finish. It is quite distinctive and attention-grabbing due to its rich amber color. We love the burnt sugar and the subtle hints of caramel and roasted malts.
The taste is exceptionally delicious, and you can pair it with any Mexican food. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the 2 am tacos or 2 pm tacos. You’re guaranteed a fantastic experience. Later in the article, we’ll share some of our favorite recipes made better with Dos Equis Ambar Especial.
This beer contains 146 calories, 0g fat, 14g carbs, 4.7% ABV, and 22 IBU per serving when it comes to nutritional facts. If you have noticed, these facts are comparatively higher than those of Dos Equis Lager Especial. Therefore, Dos Equis Ambar Especial might not be the best choice for those trying to cut down calorie intake. However, we would say that breaking the rules and taking them once in a long time won’t kill you!
Dos Equis Lime & Salt
If you’re lucky to find this brand in your local market, don’t hesitate to give it a try. Dos Equis Lime & Salt is made from the lime flavor, malted barley, hops, corn starch, salt, and citric acid. Although Dos Equis Lager has long been taken with salt and lime, the brewer decided to introduce another can with added lime and salt so that you don’t have to do it.
The additional flavor is, however, not overpowering, so don’t shy away. Dos Equis Lime & Salt has a fine-tasting with a low-med body, crisp and low bitterness that is enjoyably drinkable. Each 12 fl. oz. A serving contains 135 calories, 12g carbs, 0g fat, 10 IBU, and has an ABV of 4.2%, making it light and smooth to consume.
Unlike other types that offer several packaging methods, with Dos Equis Lime & Salt, you can only get 12 oz. 6-pack and 24 oz. Single-serve in the market. We’re hopeful that the manufacturer will scale up their way of packing this type of beer in the future. All the same, we appreciate the newest variety pack, “Cervezas De Mexico.”
Food pairings for Dos Equis
We believe that you’ll love Dos Equis as it blends perfectly with all Mexican dishes. A beer like Dos Equis Ambar Especial is bodied, light, crisp, and clean style, making it a perfect match for many foods. You can pair your dish with this beer style because it is not as heavy and creamy as most beer styles out there.
Delicate foods need lighter beers to enhance an enjoyable eating experience. So, next time you’ll be eating fried green tomatoes, pickled green tomatoes slaw, creamy shrimp salad, green tomato vinaigrette, and honey, remember to include Dos Equis.
We also found this beer quite delicious with spicy dishes like pot-roasted chicken, grilled chicken wings, Italian sausage, sweet and hot peppers, and fingerling potatoes. Not forgetting, it blends well with seafood like Colomitz. The list is endless. Thus, you can pair this fantastic lager with your favorite Mexican food.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, Dos Equis is a surprisingly enjoyable style of beer that deserves recognition. It is among the most peculiar Mexican beers we’ve ever come across, especially with its offerings. Dos Equis gives beer lovers a wide range of flavors to choose from, preferably on a hot day.
The beer is light-tasting, flavorful, and smooth with a clean finish, just like most of us like our beer. Pairing it with various Mexican dishes makes the experience even better. Besides that, making this beer style is pretty straightforward, as long as you have the right ingredients.
Do you have any questions concerning this beer? Please don’t hesitate to ask us. Meanwhile, we would love to hear which brand of Dos Equis most appeals to you. Is it Dos Equis Ambar Especial, Lager Especial, or Dos Equis lime & salt? Which one would you like to try and why?
I always bought Dos Equis Ambar beer & can’t find it anymore in the stores. However today I found Dos Equis Ambar Especial so I bought it and drank a bottle of it. It tastes good & to me it tastes just like the Ambar beer.
So, are these two beers exactly the same and just renamed?
If at all possible I would like to hear a reply on this.
Thank you
HOLA & HELLO Miss Kuster, My favorite Mexican Beer is Dos Equis. I like both the green bottle pilsner & the brown bottle Ambar. Since 2007, I’ve been living in Mexico.
Like you, I noticed the addition of “Especial” to the Ambar.
Months ago, I contacted the company to ask about this & was told that it is simply a marketing scheme to present a different image for the beer.
They assured me that the beer is exactly the same as it has always been.
Depending on where you live, you are very likely to notice this beer getting very scarce.
Here in Mexico, it has been very difficult to find…since February, 2021.
The Green bottle Dos Equis is impossible to find. The brown bottle Ambar can be found…but it is very scarce.
I asked my local distributor & was told the company is having difficulty with production at their bottle manufacturing facility.
So, if you find it where you live, I’d grab a case or 2 & stock-up.
Best regards,
Ben
EMAIL: [email protected]
I love the old Amber. The new amber does not have the vanilla included but cane sugar. It is not as smooth and gives me indigestion.