The 1st Raicilla, Mezcal and Artisanal Beer Festival will be held the weekend of Feb. 15th, 16th & 17th in the marina in Nuevo Vallarta from 3pm to 10pm. Come enjoy a weekend full of flavors, traditional drinks, great music and activities for the whole family. There will be more than 40 well known drinks for sampling and some of the best food from the region. Continue reading below to learn more about these Mexican standouts, and why you should attend this inaugural festival that is sure to be a huge success.
Tequila Vs. Mezcal
Have you heard about mezcal, but curious about how to tell the difference between tequila and mezcal? While many people believe that tequila is very similar to mezcal, there are three key reasons why mezcal is different from tequila. To begin with, tequila and mezcal are produced in different states of Mexico though there are a few states that produce both. By law, tequila can only be produced using the blue agave plant and Jalisco is the center of the tequila universe and the town of Tequila is recognized as the birthplace of tequila. On the other hand, mezcal can be made with up to 30 different varieties of agave and has a different production process which results in a distinctly different flavor. Currently, mezcal is created in 8 specific regions of Mexico including the following states of Oaxaca, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and Michoacan. The center of the mezcal world is found in the state of Oaxaca where as much as 80-90% of all mezcal production is located.
Raicilla
While similar to both tequila and mezcal, raicilla is an alcoholic beverage that is produced in 16 regions throughout the Mexican states of Jalisco and Michoacan. Its origins come from the maguey lechuguilla which is a variety of agave. A few years back in 2014, annual raicilla production was estimated at 50 thousand liters distributed among 70 traditional producers. Currently, the areas of Mascota and Cabo Corrientes in Jalisco are the largest producers of raicilla. At the Raicilla, Mezcal and Cerveza Artesanal Festival in Nuevo Vallarta, guests will be able to sample a variety of spirits and can learn more about the distinguishing factors between the elixirs.
Artisanal Beer
Artisanal or craft beers are beers made without additives or preservatives and without pasteurizing. Artisanal beers are alive and an evolutionary product that changes every day due to the presence of live yeast. In Mexico, the craft beer industry has experienced a boom over the last few years with many new breweries popping up. In Puerto Vallarta, Los Muertos Brewing and Monzon Brewery are two choices that locals can visit. At the Raicilla, Mezcal and Cerveza Artesanal Festival in Nuevo Vallarta, craft beer brewers from throughout Mexico will be in attendance to share their top products that will please beer lovers.
Come experience a variety of Mexico’s best spirits and beers at the Raicilla, Mezcal and Cerveza Artesanal Festival in Nuevo Vallarta the weekend of February 16th and 17th. Starting each day at 3pm through 10pm, attendees will get to learn about the history of these incredible drinks and will enjoy sampling top spirits and great food as well. Want to schedule a private tequila or mezcal tasting in a luxurious setting? At Garza Blanca private beachfront residences, you can experience an incredible private tequila tasting upon request in the privacy of your own home or at one of the on site restaurants with amazing ocean and jungle views. Contact Garza Blanca’s front desk concierge services today to inquire for more info. Salud!