Big Buck Gringo Modelo

Brewed by Big Buck Brewery
Style: American Dark Lager
Gaylord, Michigan USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Shaker

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Beer No. 47 on my tour through Austria, Germany and Denmark.
Draught at the brewpub. Murky orange coloured, medium sized white head, fruity nose with touch of spices. Light acidic yeasty, fruity and mild wheaty with touch of caramel. Hint of cloves in the finish and aftertaste. Nice weizen.

Sticky sweet cherry malt aroma. Very dark tan. Woody, a little smoky, herbal horehound notes. Toasy finish, pretty mouthy, good carbonation.

Dark reddish brown body with some lacing. Nose is odd and metallic with some stale malt. Taste is of dark malt and maybe a dash of wheat. Did not do very much for me.

On tap at the brewery. Presented as their seasonal in replacement of the Hefe which they were sadly out of. Pours with a dark red-brown body with a small, off white head that lasts. Good lacing. Bitter malty taste and a watery mouthfeel.

On tap at the Gaylord location, labeled "Mexican Modelo," but I assume this is the same beer. Dark straw body, thin off-white head. Grassy, toasty aroma. Light, cerealy, grassy body with a nice complement of sweet malt, finishing with grassy, bitter hops. Not my favorite style but pretty flavor dense for a 4.1% ABV beer.

This is an apparent attempt to clone Negra Modelo, the popular beer, especially common here in Texas, that distinguishes itself from many other mainstream Mexican beers by its rather substantial maltiness. Here, there is a rather dense, clinging foam of a head, off-white in color, on a copper/butterscotch body (lighter in color than I expected) with noticeable carbonation. Served with a lime on the edge of the glass, quickly removed. Slightly metallic aroma, a bit like it is "out of the can". Lots of malt flavor at the front, hinting at toffee, generic-brand cola, and a suggestion of nuts. Significantly dry, with a long bitter finish. The carbonation isn’t too strong, though I continue to think that Big Buck keeps its beers way too cold for the enjoyment of beer qua beer (beer as a liquid that has flavor), but that is the fashion in Texas by those who just look for a cold and flavorless sensation. Well-supported body, thanks to the malts; the metallic edges of the bitterness dominate the finish. Drinkable, but I left pondering whether the malts and hops were working to produce a good microbrew or a cheap imitation of an original that is a cheap beer itself. You could go either way, I think. (on tap, Grapevine, TX location)