Bohemia - Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A. de C.V.

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.93/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

"I'm just a poor beer, nobody loves me;
He's just a poor beer from a poor brewery"

--from 'Bohemia Rhapsody' by Queen


Medium yellow-gold, a half notch short of amber. The beer would look better if it was filtered. The cap isn't bright white, but neither is it dark enough to be called eggshell. It displays good persistence and is stoney rather than rocky. A half-hearted attempt at lace results in an uneven, scalloped collar.

The nose is nice. It smells of sweet grain with more than a little spicy, earthy hoppiness. I can appreciate no off-aromas; thanks, no doubt, to the brown glass bottle (which ought to be mandatory). The more I smell, the more I like.

Surprise, surprise, surprise... Bohemia is good beer. It tastes quite a bit like it smells: fresh, lightly toasted grain bottom end; pleasantly bitter, hoppy top end. The hops are what really pull this beer out of the run-of-the-mill category. They're wonderfully spicy and herbal. Thankfully, the brewers didn't stint on amount.

The finish is hoppy-sweet and is too abbreviated. I've come to welcome the short finishes on most Mexican lagers because putting me out of my misery is infinitely preferable to extending it. I would love it if this beer lingered, though, since the flavor is so enjoyable. The mouthfeel is light-medium with a slightly prickly carbonation.

I wish to apologize to the good folks at Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma for the 'poor brewery' crack at the outset. The Bohemian/Bohemia Rhapsody play on words was just too good to pass up. Truth is, Bohemia is one fine Vienna lager and is a damn sight better than either Dos Equis or Carta Blanca. Looks like I have a new favorite Mexican beer. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2005 13:43:36 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.03/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not really sure what to make of this one. I saw it sitting there and had never heard of it before so decided to take a flyer on it. Served cold, I found it poured out pretty decent overall. Nice medium brown in color with a tight head of white that capped the top quite well. Settling down it managed to maintain a firm, but decent level of head through nice carbonation that was streaming up through the bottom of the glass. Aroma was light, far too light in my opinion, caramel and bready notes, but nothing standing out to me as being anywhere near where it should be. Same goes for the flavor. While it was tight and clean, there was just a lack of depth that was hard for me to get past. Light caramel barely covers a mostly bready, grainy malt bill that does little to try and help the issue.

Overall ehh. It was not terrible, but was really rather lackluster. I did not have a huge issue with it per se, but I needed more. For a macro like lager though it came off fairly well.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2010 15:40:27 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.88/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer pours a clear golden color with a fizzy white head that displays only mild retention.

S: Pretty nice nose to this beer. Some definite corn aromas to it but plenty of bread and malt notes to it as well. Only a hint of hop character which is lightly floral and spicy.

T: A solid sweetness to the flavor which is mostly bready in nature and has a hint of toast to it. Mild yeast and corn flavors with minimal hop bitterness and flavor.

M: Light to medium in body with a medium level of carbonation.

O: It's been a long time since I've had this beer and I was very pleasantly surprised by it. Quite an enjoyable beverage.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 18:03:44 | More by womencantsail

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.33/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a crystal clear, yellow body with a frothy, white head. Lightly effervescent.

Smell: Grassy, spicy aroma with pale malts and a slight sourness overall. Thankfully, though, no skunking present.

Taste: What tastes like pils malt with a brief, subtle sweetness. A bit soapy, a bit of grass. Spicy hop taste and light bite of bitterness. Some lingering sourness to the crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied. Lively carbonation.

Drinkability: When surrounded by Mexican lagers, it would be certainly be more desirable than say, a Corona Light. Surely it would go great with Combo #14, 8, and 12 at your local Mexican eatery.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2008 05:28:42 | More by ChainGangGuy

UCLABrewN84

California

3.48/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear yelllow with a 1 inch white head that fades to nothing. Little spots of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of sweet grain, some grass, and citrus zest. Taste is the same as the smell with the grains and citrus zest being most apparent. This beer has good carbonation and is crisp and clean in the mouth. Overall, this is a pretty good beer and one of the better offerings from Mexico in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 15:22:33 | More by UCLABrewN84

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bohemia is a flower amongst weeds when it comes to beers produced in Mexico; not that there aren't a few other good ones here and there, but for the most part there are more bad than good.

It pours a crystal-clear deep gold body beneath an average-sized head of bright white foam. The retention is very good, but it leaves only very minor lacing about the glass.

The nose is bright and fresh with floral and gently spicy hops (Saaz) over a delicately sweet and mildly candyish maltiness that suggests honey with a drop of vanilla.

In the mouth it's medium-bodied and crisp with a moderate, fine-bubbled carbonation.

The flavor is quite straightforward, but it has finesse. It's clean and very well-balanced with a solid bitterness that backs it's lightly grainy and slightly honeyish maltiness and floral, spicy, and lightly grassy hops. It finishes with a lingering combination of hops, sweet malt, and gentle bitterness that gently erode from the palate.

Overall, Bohemia is a very nicely done, well-refined European-style lager that easily stands up to its predecessors, and deserves more attention than it gets.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2006 15:01:58 | More by NeroFiddled

zeff80

Missouri

3.45/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a clear, fizzy, orange/amber color with a small, white, foamy head. It left a little lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of caramel, roasted malts and some floral notes.

T - It tasted of burnt toast maltiness, caramel and some light chocolate notes. It had a nice bitter kick from the hops.

M - It was crisp and sharp. A medium-bodied beer.

D - This is a pretty good vienna lager. Really one of the best commonly available Mexican beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2008 01:49:58 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.4/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin bright white head that died down but consistently left a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and a bit of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are aromas of grainy malts and corn in the nose along with some hints of grassy hops.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste has flavors of grainy malts and is accompanied by a light to moderate amount of bitterness that persists through the taste, but particularly stands out in the finish.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation with a bit of dryness in the finish.
O: This beer is a cut above most other standard Mexican lagers and is relatively easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 23:51:57 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

2.93/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright gold color with a very thin white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of bready malts, spices, caramel and a little bit of hops.

T: The taste is starts out with some spice & lemon along with a hearty malt character. Then a mild but complimentary hops presence comes in to provide a little balance. The after-taste is bready and slightly sweet.

M: Smooth with a little crispness, medium body, medium carbonation, clean and dry finish.

D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, decent representation of style, I could drink a few of these but I think it would be better with food and there are better beers in the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2007 02:26:37 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

For a German Pilsner I felt that this wasn't too bad. With not being a huge fan of Pilsners I wasn't expecting to enjoy this at all. The beer is a moderately good with some good hop and malts on the nose. The Color is a typical yellow with a white white that fades off within a few sips. The mouthfeel is decent with some good carbonation keeping it real and lighter bodied to keep is refreshing. Not too bad of a beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 01:28:50 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

3.7/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a lightly hazy yellow with a medium white head, fair retention.

S: Pale malt and noble hops, nothing substantial.

T: Bready malt in the background, with a rather strong grassy hop bitterness. I like the strong hop character, and I was surprised how much I liked it the first time I had it.

M: Crisp and smooth, with a bit of biting carbonation, relatively light-bodied.

D: Quite a good Mexican beer at a Mexican restaurant, would defintely have again if I was in that situation.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2008 03:15:58 | More by Halcyondays

emerge077

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Looks can be deceiving with this one...

Pale yellow, fizzy and typical. However, a good finger of foam results from a steady pour, and remains for a couple minutes.

Smell is vaguely earthy, floral, with a cameo of sweet spice...it's Saaz hops, just barely. Much more pleasing that the other Mexican lager options.

Taste is spicy Saaz again, with a short note of sweet grain, reminiscient of grain of paradise. Good carbonation, and clean mouthfeel. Utilitarian, but it does the job well. Very easy to put down a few on a warm day.

Paired two of these with a "Puerco en Mole" dish.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2007 01:24:16 | More by emerge077

jwc215

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours light golden yellow with a thin white head.

The smell is of soft grain with a subtle earthy spiciness. The smell is pleasant, but subdued.

The taste is of malty grain with earthy hop spicing background. Finishes a bit abruptly, but cleanly.

It just about reaches medium-bodied. The carbonation is a bit forward, but not too prickly or fizzy.

This is a pleasant surprise from Mexico. Sure beats the other Mexican beers of the same/similar style that I've had (by far). A good example of a Vienna Lager. I would say I liked it a bit more than the score reflects. A good brew to pair with Mexican (or any spicy) food, or as a "session" brew on its own.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2008 02:37:59 | More by jwc215

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

At Cafe de Artiste in PVR.

A: The pilsner is a crisp clear color, straw yellow and clear as day. The beer almost glows. A small head, no more than a half a finger, sat contentedly atop the glass.

S: The nose has a crisp hoppiness and ample malt base. The hops, earthy, contributed a fruity presence.

T: The hoppiness of the pils stands out, from the first sip to the last. The aforementioned fruitiness, a taste that I'd call green apple (and seemingly more appropriate for a Belgian pale ale) stands out. The pils base is bready but light, agile enough to stay out of the way of the hops. An enjoyable beer.

M: The pils isn't afraid of its hoppy side. Good thing, because the earthy citrus flavors really stand out throughout the entire beer.

D: The highlight of the night, a clean pils that doesn't shy away from the hops.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2010 04:37:34 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The best beer I've found in Cancun, it even has bitterness. I don't know about the vienna lager label on BA. This looks and tastes like a pilsner, say, one from Bohemia. It also reminded me of a less bold version of the Sly Fox Pils. It has a slightly bready flavor with grassy and floral hops. Drinks very crisp and it great for washing down food or just relaxing. Two bottles of this helped me put down 27 jumbo shrimp. Any beer that can do that and taste good is alright in my eyes. Not the best pils, but its in a brown bottle and a good choice is vacationing in Mexico

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2007 02:18:38 | More by tempest

Wasatch

Utah

2/5  rDev -41.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a light yellow color, nice carbonation, small white head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some hops, slight caramel. The taste is slightly sweet, malty, slight hop note. Light body. Not drinkable, would not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2010 01:15:47 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours with a two-finger white head that leaves a some lace. Clear pale amber color. Light bodied and light carbonation. Slightly hoppy nose. Starts slightly on the sweet side and the finish is clean, with no lingering aftertaste. Good session beer. $1.30 for a 12oz. bottle from Liquor Barn, Lexington, KY.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2004 23:15:37 | More by jdhilt

Jason

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +16%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz brown bottle with no freshness date. Very thin white lacing though it sticky quite well.

Slightly earthy hop with a spicy back, is this dry hopped or is it hop extract. Thick sweet graininess wraps around the hops to make the aroma somewhat intriguing.

Clean palate, perfect with all spicy foods and not just Mexican. Thin maltiness holds on to a sweet graininess, hops are not there just for the bitterness. Bitterness balances very well and there is a level lingering flavour of earthy floral hop. Clean dry grainy finish.

This is my top pale Mexican beer without a doubt.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2002 13:47:10 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

2.68/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 ouncer sampled, no freshness dating observed. Pours very light straw, slight chill haze, slight white head, leaving just a tad of lacing. Just a few lazy bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. Nose is corn/rice like. Just a typical macro lager going on here, lawn mower brew, or ice cold with some spicy mexican food. Besides that, pass this one by.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2005 01:10:59 | More by Billolick

Zorro

California

4.38/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

This pours an honest clear gold lager. It looks like it should come from Checkoslovakia.

Smell is sweetness, grain and a spicy hop smell. The hops are unmistakably citrus in scent.

Taste is excellent clean grain with a spicy citrus hop flavor. This is one tasty lager! Excellent melding of the citrus hops with the rest of the brew.

Mouthfeel is good.

Super drinkable brew, sad that I avoided tasting this for a long time just because it is a Mexican beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2004 03:54:22 | More by Zorro

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.21/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

One of the better Mexican beers out there. Nothing unique or falling short appearance or aroma wise. Standards.

Taste is a pleasant surprise, nuanced pilsner flavor, zippy, with some different things going on I can't put my finger on, but its far more complex/involved than the majority of pilsners, especially from this neck of the woods.

Whatever the complexities, they play nice throughout the bottle. Amounts to good drinkability. This is a favorite with Mexican food, along with Negra Modelo.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2010 18:08:18 | More by Beerandraiderfan

DoubleJ

California

3.83/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A favorite of mine when I'm eating Mexican food, however I polished one off a few nights ago after eating Chinese food. Hmmm, there's an idea I should try in the future, crossing one culture's food with another culture's beer. I guess I've done it a few times without ever thinking about it, but how weird would it be to see Tsingtao beer with Italian dishes? Anyways, let's move on and get to this beer:

It's a pale straw color, that pours a nice head, but shrinks considerably after a minute. It has a a nice hop aroma that doesn't leave you gasping for air with caramel notes in the back. The beer's slightly sweet, with a hoppy profile, but not bitter. It's very refreshing and easy to drink, making it a good choice when one is thirsty and doesn't want to drink water. Remember, this is a Mexican beer that's built for easy comsumption. But more importantly, it tastes pretty darn good, and that characteristic puts it above other Mexi-Lagers.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2007 19:15:06 | More by DoubleJ

Gusler

Arizona

3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear gold, the head white, minimal, the lace is adequate. Nose is malt, clean and crisp. Front is malt, lightly sweet, top is light, the finish is quite acidic, dry, and nicely hopped. The second beer I had in Warez, Mexico, on my first weekend at my new posting to Fort Bliss. Ranks #937 on my current 1000 beer master list.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2002 17:03:12 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a clear, pale straw color with a fluffy white quickly dissipating head. Visibly there was no lacing and an aggressive amount of carbonation.

S: some buttery toffee notes, a touch of stale cereal grains, as well a slight skunkiness.

T: The flavor was very sweet, light and fruity with fresh apples, pears, light bread notes and a apple juice like palate. Upon warming there were some hay and herbal notes present. The beer finishes with a fruity sweetness, some nice buttery grain notes, and a citrusy hopping. This beer had a very interesting grain bill which made it hard for me to figure if I really liked it or not. It was sweet yet had a clean flavor and was interesting. Overall the beer had a sweet, crisp palate, interesting flavor that was unique and drank really smooth.

M: The mouthful was light and slick with some spicy hops coming through along with some fizziness from the carbonation.

D: This would make for a great beach type beer and was moderately good.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2008 01:06:22 | More by beerthulhu

plaid75

New York

4.03/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a light straw hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured a grassy and spicy hop with a light grainy malt.

The taste consisted of a clean malt and a surprisingly lively hop.

The mouthfeel was toward the lighter side of the style with good carbonation.

Overall a very tasty and hoppy lager. Likely the best offering from south of the border.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2006 01:53:06 | More by plaid75