Noche Buena - Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A. de C.V.

beergoot

Colorado

3.3/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice dark, copper-red color and sports a thick, sticky head. Fair malt scent; bright and musty. Decent if unspectacular malt flavor; some caramel; slightly bitter. Clean, dry finish, medium-light body.

A reasonably drinkable, flavorful bock beer. Nothing out of the ordinary but worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 02:13:59 | More by beergoot

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.45/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Clear darker amber, light-light bubbles on the body. Head is off-white maybe half a finger's length. After a sip settles slightly uneven lacing.

Smell: Light hop scent, nothing here that you haven't smelled before.

Taste: Here is where it gets a little interesting. I say that in regards you don't see a lot of Latin countries attempt a bock. It comes off lightly malty and maybe a notch sweet. Light hop bitterness that makes it really easy to drink.

Mouth: Smooth, comes off with a toasty finish with its medium carbonation.

Overall: I hate to make promises but this one is at minimum satisfying. Not great not bad, but compliments any meal regardless of style. Drink up fellas (and ladies), Salud!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 06:08:24 | More by BlurryVisi0n

buschbeer

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle
Served in a flute

A - It is dark amber colored with amber highlights. It is topped with an inch of beige head.

S - The aroma is sweet. It has some caramel and toffee.

T - The taste matches the smell. It is sweet caramel and toffee.

M - Moderate

O - This is one of the least offensive beers that I have had out of Mexico. It drinks easy and the taste is okay. I'd put it with Negro Modelo.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 20:42:17 | More by buschbeer

budgood1

Minnesota

2.98/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

pours out a clear mahoghany colour with a some sparse foam and lace. graininess on the nose with some cocoa and nougat aromas...hints of caramel and ripe fruit, too. smells nice enough. the flavour profile is a touch light in the shorts...it has crisp notes of bock related maltiness...some herbal and spice hop nuances. it notches just above a dark lager, but falls a bit short of seeming like a full fledged bock. the mouthfeel is crisp and a touch metallic, with an overall medium light body. it blurs the line between trying to be easily drinkable and full flavoured.

overall this isn't bad, but nothing really stands out as being special. therefor it falls a bit short of being worth seeking out. glad i got my bottles for free.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 21:27:15 | More by budgood1

depechemode1983

Texas

2.48/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Pours out clear dark brown with red hues when held to the light. Head is nice, thick, and with decent retention. Not too much lacing on this one. The nose is grainy with a mix of citrus and floral hops and solid malt backbone. Extremely light on flavor. A little bit of grains and a little bit of metal. Hops are almost nonexistent and the malts have vanished. Mouth feel is watery at best with hints of carbonation. This beer went downhill fast. Never will I buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 23:37:14 | More by depechemode1983

zeff80

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a clear, dark brown color with a one-finger, egg-shell white head of foam. It left some sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled malty and somewhat roasty.

T - It tasted malty with toffee and caramel flavors. There was a slight roast character, too.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a nice bock. Seems different than most German bocks and less sweet than American ones.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 01:53:54 | More by zeff80

crossovert

Wisconsin

2.8/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

2011 edition. gold-foiled 355ml bottle.

It pours a clear reddish brown with a creamy off-white head.

The smell is actually not too bad. It smells like noble hops and some pleasant carmally malts.

The flavor is more of a disappointment, it shows is Mexicaness. It has a it of metal, herbal notes form the hops, some muddled sweetness, and overall not that great.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 03:23:18 | More by crossovert

nickfl

Florida

3.13/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - poured with a small head of off white foam on a clear, amber brown body. The head settles quickly and leaves little trace on the glass.

S - light malt with a hint of caramel.

T - caramel and toffee malt up front that remains strong through the finish and combines with a touch of roast character in the finish.

M - medium body, average carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - very drinkable, nothing complex, but inoffensive and about what you would expect from a mexican industrial bock.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 04:19:50 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

3.23/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Little head on this one and no real lacing on a light amber with slight golden hues hazy body. Aroma is mild. Subtlety spicy and earthy. Flavor is more of the same with brown sugar and caramel malt intermixed.this one is Little flat to me with light carbonation and light body. Overall very drinkable and exactly what you would expect from a bock made on Mexico and actually not a terrible beer though.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 04:19:32 | More by kylehay2004

KickbacksSteve

Florida

2.3/5  rDev -31.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 ounce bottle poured into Efes tulip. 2011 vintage. Pour seems quite still. Zero lacing. Aroma is sweet caramel crossed with overripe banana. Mouthfeel is thin and taste is not offensive but really nothing exciting. Reminds me of a stale Yuengling more than a bock. Like a flat amber instead of a bock. Easy to drink, just not enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2012 04:15:01 | More by KickbacksSteve

EnJeiBee

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - It poured with a transparent amber hue with almost no head whatsoever

S - The scent is of toffee and caramel malts, but there is also a faintly skunky scent at the end

T - The taste follows the nose quite closely, but introduces faint earthy hops to the mix. They're subtle, but there. However, I can't tell if the earthyness is from the hops or if the brew is slightly skunky in general.

M - Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation

O - It's definitely a middle of the road, easy drinker. There is absolutely nothing about it that stands out as overly bad or good.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 05:36:01 | More by EnJeiBee

doucmehu

Wisconsin

2.35/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

2011 bottle.

A: Poured into a beer mug. Very clear dark coppery amber, not a lot of head, little retention and no lacing.

S: Slightly metallic, a bit of grain and burnt sugar. Smells weak but like a bock.

T: Mildly sweet caramel and burnt sugar, dry corn and grain, metallic aftertaste and just a hint of esters.

M: Thin and watery, thin carbonation. Bitter (but not from hops) finish, fairly dry.

O: Drinkable when icy cold, but really not a very good beer. It doesn't seem much different than Dos Equis Amber.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 04:14:05 | More by doucmehu

BasementBer

Manitoba (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

2011 edition

A: Clear yet with a mild body. pours a brownish scarlet hue.

S: Burnt sugar and caramel.

T: not so great, quite watery and not the aged taste yoid expect. but the lager makes it thin.

M: too thin, too light and slightly chemically tasting.

O: sadly this is revered as one of the best coming from mexico. so be it.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 04:00:26 | More by BasementBer

diamondc

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2011 Limited edition.

A: Looks good, lots of head and lacing.

S: Stale coffee, toffee, hot nuts.

T: Toasted malts, brown sugar, some decent bitterness at the end.

M: A bit of a metallic aftertaste. Gets a bit too corn syrupy towards the end. Not offensive though.

O: Decent, just barely good.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 22:26:48 | More by diamondc

Pegasus

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Crystal-clear deep amber in color, with a large, dense cream-colored head, with excellent retention. Thick, sticky lacing adorns the glass walls.

Aroma: Toasted and dark caramel malts dominate, although they seem subtle.

Taste: Opens with toasted, nearly burnt malts, soon followed by a wave of earthy hop notes. The hops linger throughout the taste, along with the malt, each complimenting the other, like strands of pearls twined together. Finishes with a slight, lingering metallic note and a late wave of toasted malt.

Mouth feel: Smooth, soft, and pleasant.

Drinkability/notes: I was a fan of this beer years ago, before I discovered craft beer and BeerAdvocate, enjoying it every Christmas season when it was to be had. After that, it disappeared, until this year. Alas, it is not as glorious as I remembered it to be, but then, what is? Still, I cannot help but like it, as it recalls pleasant memories of bygone days.

Presentation: Packaged in a custom twelve-ounce brown glass long-neck bottle with a pry-off crown, and a foil-wrapped neck, served in a standard Pilsener glass.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 04:21:42 | More by Pegasus

thekanna

Maryland

2.98/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Light amber color with fizzy, tan head that dissipates quickly.
S: sweet malt character with some corn thrown in there for good measure
T: slightly sweet malts, grainy with a lightly toasted taste. Medium carbonation with large bubbles. Honestly, not all that bad.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 06:26:39 | More by thekanna

srandycarter

California

3.3/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Friend gave me on to try. Thanks Jay!

A -Light pekoe tea color, small ring style head. Not much lace, but present.

S - Very disappointing. Adjunct. Stale.

T - Ok. Light malt, nothing really special. Easy to drink.

M - Light bodied, good carb, fine finish.

D - Serve cold with lots of spicy Mex food!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 05:09:38 | More by srandycarter

DarthKostrizer

California

2/5  rDev -40.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Vintage 2011 which means this awful beer has been made for many years and I have no idea why that is.

Look: Dark amber color with 1/4 inch head and no retention

Smell: Smells the same as every other Mexican beer. Awful

Taste: This one has a bit of caramel that disguises the dirty mexican water taste but its still bad

Mouthfeel: Thin and lightly carbonated

Overall: Yet another bad beer that the mass populous love

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 03:32:42 | More by DarthKostrizer

BierFan

Michigan

3.25/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass.

Clear reddish brown body with an off-white head that settles to a thin layer relatively quickly. Euro hop aromas, appropriate for a bock. Biscuit malt flavor. Hops aren't as strong in the taste as I would like.

I can't really say I'm a fan of this beer. It's not bad, but not something I plan on drinking again.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 22:46:52 | More by BierFan

bens0n

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a clear reddish ruby color with a small amount of foamy light tan head that leaves no lacing.

Smell wise it smells bready just like any other bock. Nothing too special or memorable but still pretty balanced nothing hoppy or funky.

Flavor wise it lines up with the smell... nothing festive but still a worthy bock with a toasty bready flavor.

Its a decent thickness with low carbonation, goes down smooth. Easily a sessioanble beer even though its 6% abv.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 00:47:29 | More by bens0n

DeanMoriarty

California

3.55/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Never even heard of or seen this beer before. It randomly fell into my lap last week after it was left in the backyard cooler from our Xmas party. There were 2 left, so I decided to crack em'.

Note: I drank them both from the bottle so I can't really give a good assessment of the appearance, so i'll just average it based on the other aspects...blah blah blah.

S: Like a German Bock (surprisingly) - sweet and malty, bready with a hint of grassy hop in there as well.

T: Where did the nice malt and hint of hops go??? Like a standard Mexi-Beer but a hint of brown sugar and toasted grain.

M: Standard, slightly less than fizzy, session beer.

O: Unfortunately the nose is the only thing with German influence in this one. Don't get me wrong, being born and raised in SD, I have a major weakness for Mexi-Beer and this one really just is a good Mexi-Beer, and not much more. Right up there, and maybe even nicer, than Victoria (another Mexican classic). I could drink these all night and with an ABV of 5.9% I might actually catch a buzz which isn't easy to do with most Mexi-Beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 23:35:18 | More by DeanMoriarty

Treyliff

West Virginia

2.95/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Took a bottle of this home from a Christmas party out of a holiday 24 pack.

A- Dark copper color with a reddish hue. Large light tan head that shrinks to a small layer that stays long after the pour. Good lacing stuk to the side of the glass.

S- Roasted malts and a sharp citrus smell from the hops. Also a strange metallic smell coming through on the nose, a little off puting and seems to overpower everything else.

T- Seems a little light for a bock. Slight citrus notes, buiscits, a little bit of chocolate, and an off puting metalic taste, simlilar to the smell. Finished slightly bitter. Mouthfeel is solid.

Seems solid in everything other than smell and taste. I don't know what to make of that. The pour was awesome, but that certain metallic taste and smell seemed to keep it from being a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 22:31:42 | More by Treyliff

DoubleJ

California

3.45/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I was surprised to see this at a Xmas party. At points, the label has a very similar look to that of Bohemia. It comes in a brown 12 ounce bottle, so...on to the beer:

It's got an amber brown color with lasting head and solid formation of lace sticking around. The nose has a little toffee, also some stale malt. Flavor is meh towards the begining; light amounts of toffee crisp, caramel, bread, and a kiss of hops. As the beer warms up these flavors intensify and overall becomes sweeter. This bolder flavor matches well with the mouthfeel which is surprisingly fuller than I thought, and rather smooth.

Here's a sleeper from a Mexican brewing giant. It's a step up from Dos Equis Amber, but Noche Buena is only around during the winter season.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 03:11:27 | More by DoubleJ

Rumpole

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

For whatever reason, this is the first I've heard tell of this stuff, found it in a holiday variety 24-pack along with both types of Dos Equis. It is light bodied for the style, which is what you'd expect from a Mexican dark. It's very close to rival Negra Modelo; this is a little richer and roastier, the Negra Modelo a little lighter and finishes a bit cleaner. If you like Mexi-darks, you'll like this just fine. It, or an equivalent dark from this brewer, ought to be available year-round, I'm somewhat surprised they don't really have anything to counter the Modelo unless it's Christmas season. While we're at it, this brewer really needs to get the Bohemia in 12-packs. A very drinkable and pleasant Mexi-dark.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 03:28:56 | More by Rumpole

DavidST

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, 2011 edition. This pours a brownish color with a short lived white head. The smells are light, some malts, caramel and toffee. The feel is medium to light. Taste is similar to smell light toffee malts, a little bitterness and carbonation at the end.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 04:50:00 | More by DavidST