Like many industries in Mexico, the beer market here is basically a duopoly. Two breweries, Modelo and Femsa, control pretty much all the options. While I love me some Mexican beer (Victoria’s my fave, and I’ve heard raves about Noche Buena), sometimes you want something different, you know?
Rodrigo Contreras, a young entrepreneur from Guadalajara, apparently felt the same way. In 2006, he successfully registered Duff Beer as a brand here in Mexico, and he’s found distribution in various countries around the world. Duff is a Pilsner-style brew now sold in Spain, Belguim, Germany and Colombia. And not in the U.S., since, according to Wikipedia, Matt Groenig isn’t hot on the idea, for fear that it’ll appeal to children.
Crayton was super excited about the chance to drink a real Duff Beer. So using his crazy Googling skills, he found a bar in La Roma called Lucille that sells it. Interestingly, Lucille also sells other independent Mexican brews, such as Cosaco and Tempus.
Crayton’s Duff Beer verdict: “Real clean taste. Let the aftertaste hit. It’s subtle… I could hang with a six pack of this watching a game. I think that’s what Homer Simpson would want.”
8 Responses to Duff de Mexico: Homer Simpson would be proud
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Who is Mija?
Mija is Lesley Téllez, a food writer and culinary guide in New York City. I spent four years in Mexico's Distrito Federal, which launched my deep love for Mexican food and culture. In 2010 I co-founded the tourism company Eat Mexico.
Haven’t seen any Duff beer, but I’ll be on the lookout. As for Noche Buena beer…it is really good. I had a few at a party in December. If you ever get the chance, you should really try it.
Yoom! haha..Tecate Light also tastes good…
I live in Juarez, Mexio, across the river from El Paso, Texas. I just found out about this one place here, a night club called Springfield. It’s got a Simpsons theme to it. And sure enough they sell Duff Beer in there. It’s actually quite good. Also, Noche Buena is only sold around Christmas time. The name means “Christmas Eve”.
[...] but cool just to have something different. I believe Lesley has mentioned the strange tale of Duff beer before. These Guadalajarans are apparently trying to start a line of beers named after soccer [...]
[...] disappointingly, despite the actual availability of Duff beer in Mexico, Moe’s Tavern only served the garden-variety Mexican beers. For [...]
Wow, Crayton, that’s good Googling. I’ve walked by Lucille’s a number of times, but it didn’t ignite my attention.
I just saw it with Google Street View.
La Roma is one of my favorite areas of Mexico City. There are beautiful parks and homes there.
Saludos,
Don Cuevas
Hi Lesley,
I recently found a Simpson’s themed bar, serving Duff bear in Santa Fe. However, the last time I went, they were starting to get rid of the Simpsons tables, chairs, etc. The owner mentioned that he was threatened with a lawsuit.
Oh no! I’ll have to tell my husband about this. He’ll be sad.