Van Dieman Mexican Lager

Style
Smoked, Spiced Mexican Lager
ABV
4.0%

There's a rapidly growing number of beers bearing the Mexican lager or cerveza tag leaving Aussie breweries as 2023 draws to a close (this is the third consecutive one posted to our New Beers page), although one – this one – is very much not like the others. Sure, while most are straightforward pale lagers with some maize in the grist there are some that feature the addition of citrus or spices or even a little chilli, but Van Dieman have gone a few steps further in creating a Mexican-themed diorama in beer form.

As well as using flaked maize, the Tassie brewers infused their estate malt with Tasmanian Manuka (tea tree) to create a smokiness, then included some Tasmanian Mountain Pepper for a touch of spice.

That said, it's the impact of the Taiheke hops from New Zealand that leads the way, playing the role of the lime wedge in a bottle or the squeeze of juice atop your taco, with the smokiness from the Manuka coming to the fore upon taking a swig. Perhaps it's a trick of the mind caused by everything else at play – including the hardworking skeletons on the label – but there seems to be a corn chip character to the taste too.

Rather then create an easygoing lager to pair with Mexican dishes, Van Dieman instead aim to bring elements of those dishes into the liquid itself, albeit in a manner that keeps things pretty light on the palate.

James Smith

Published December 11, 2023

Name
Van Dieman
Address

537 White Hills Road
Evandale
TAS 7258

Phone
(03) 6391 9035
Tours

By arrangement only

IBD 2025
Bintani Abstrax B

More from Van Dieman

Van Dieman Estate Ales: North Pole & South Pole Porters
Estate Baltic & Robust Porters
6.2% & 5.9%
Van Dieman Vandemonium
DDH Cryo NEIPA
7.5%
Van Dieman Freycinet Pilsner
Oak-Fermented Pilsner
4.1%
Van Dieman Deep Roots Oaked XPA
Oaked XPA
5.7%
Van Dieman Max & Kalie 2021
Australian Wild Ales
5.3% & 4.8%
Van Dieman Elderflower, Wild Nectar & Fence Line
Australian Spontaneous Ales
6.5% & 7.1% & 5.9%
Van Dieman Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush
Fruited Australian Wild Ale
6.2%
Van Dieman Eagle Tree
Australian Spontaneous Ale
6.2%
Van Dieman Medlar
Fruited Wild Ale
7.5%
Van Dieman Wilderness Project: Long Shadows & Unpredictable Spring
Australian Spontaneous Ales
6.0% & 5.9%
Van Dieman Giblin X
Port Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
10.0%
Van Dieman Estate Ale: Oscar
Estate Farmhouse IPA
5.2%
Van Dieman Claude
Fruited Wild Ale
6.5%
Van Dieman Bramble
Fruited Wild Ale
7.5%
Van Dieman Early & Late Table Beers
Table Beers
3.0% & 4.5%
Van Dieman Old Bubba Hubbard & After Dinner Mint
Berry Hefeweizen & Choc Mint Stout
5.0% & 6.0%
Van Dieman Tetu & Duchess
Barrel Aged Farmhouse Ales
Van Dieman Estate Ale: Max
Estate Grown Saison
5.3%
Van Dieman Estate Ale: Edward
Estate Grown Hoppy Farmhouse Ale
5.4%
Van Dieman Loquacious Barrel Aged Wild Ale
Barrel Aged Loquat Wild Ale
7.5%