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I don't remember when I first heard about Cervecerķa Tijuana, but the idea of a micro brewery in Mexico intrigued me, as Mexico produces the best beer that I've ever tasted, period. All that aside, how many micro breweries are actually located within Baja California? I'd been planning to pay a visit to Cervecerķa Tijuana for the last couple of years, and on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, I finally found myself on Blvd. Fundadores, looking at a big pale yellow building, that almost appeared as if it started out life as a warehouse, I could smell the smell of brewing beer, and could see steam coming from chimneys... ah... I found it! As with all restaurant reviews I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: Cervecerķa Tijuana is located on Blvd. Fundadores, which is a major street that leads toward the coast. The brewery is easy to find, if you're familiar with Tijuana. The brewery is a about a two mile walk from downtown, as it's located in the hills, south of downtown, off of Blvd. Agua Caliente, south of the famous Tijuana tower, on Blvd. Fundadores. Unless you're familiar with Tijuana and like to hike, you'd probably be more comfortable taking a cab from downtown. Personal safety is not an issue, as contrary to popular belief, Tijuana is safe, and the only real menace is the traffic. I showed up around 2:00 on this Tuesday afternoon in late December, and the restaurant, along with the tasting room was dead, as there was exactly one couple and myself in the building as paying customers, and the couple left shortly after I arrived. I was outnumbered by the staff at a ratio of, by my count, at least 12 to one, as I counted two managers wearing suits, and at least 10 members wearing what appeared to be the uniform of the day; white top and black pants. Most of the staff members were just standing around chit-chatting to one another, and the song "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," in Spanish, was playing in the background. After I exchanged greetings to the welcoming lady at the door, I sat down at a nearby table, and picked up a menu to see what beer was on tap.
Photo: Any way you look at it, the decor of Cervecerķa Tijuana is beautiful, and very "Victorian." This is a view of the dining room, which I had to myself. The kitchen doesn't open until later afternoon, but the fine beer is available as soon as the brewery opens.
Photo: A few of the staff members, just standing around, chit-chatting, and waiting for customers to arrive. I was an early arrival, as I arrived only an hour after the brewery had opened for the day, so at the time, the brewery and restaurant wasn't busy. Cervecerķa Tijuana offers an upscale dining room to enjoy the great beer, and is quite elegant inside, as the decor is Victorian, complete with high ceilings, richly paneled walls, stained glass, brass lamp fixtures, fleur de leis wallpaper, wooden floors, and one of the most elegant bars that I've seen during my visits to Tijuana. The walls are covered with framed photos of old-time Tijuana, and the place is huge inside and well-lit, but not bright or gaudy in any way. Cervecerķa Tijuana is pure class...
Photo: The restaurant also features a small gift shop, which offers merchandise and souvenirs of the brewery, and the greater Tijuana area. Despite the fact that I was quite outnumbered by staff members, I probably sat at my table for five minutes before a server visited, and placed chips and salsa on my table. She asked me if I was ready to order, and I ordered a "Bronca" beer from the menu for the price of MEX $40.00... I had considered ordering a burger or a taco, as their now-defunct web site advertised the fact that they are a restaurant as well as a brewery, but I wasn't offered a food menu, so I just decided to concentrate my attention on beer, along with the complimentary chips and salsa. When I asked about food, she told me their kitchen didn't open until around 5, so that explained the lack of food, or the lack of a food menu. But, complimentary chips and salsa are a great thing!
Photo: My server was completely unaware that I was in the process of taking her photo, after she placed my beer, chips and salsa on the table, but she rose to occasion. Thanks! I didn't get the chance to catch her name... The "Bronca" beer arrived in a frosty mug, and was excellent, being a medium, pilsner, very German-tasting beer. Oh baby! ... This is great beer, tasting even better after the long walk, so great that I ordered a second one, in order to help wash down the tortilla chips, sprinkled with seasoned salt, and delicious, in-house made salsa. My thirst was whetted for a third beer, so I decided to give the slightly dark, "Morena" beer a taste. Great beer!
Photo: "Cerveza Bronca," along with complementary chips and salsa make for an excellent lunch at Cervecerķa Tijuana! The chips arrived in a large basket, and a small plate was provided to enjoy samples. I noted the chips were fresh and warm, which surprised me, consider the kitchen wasn't open, but I simply enjoyed. The chips were slightly "puffy" and covered with seasoned salt, which made them absolutely delicious, and made a perfect side to enjoy with my beers. With the chips came a bowl of fresh salsa, made in-house, of the "salsa roja" variety. It was tangy, flavorful, mildly spicy, and just plain delicious. I dipped each tortilla chip in the salsa and enjoyed. By the time I'd enjoyed my third beer, I'd eaten the entire basked of chips, along with the bowl of salsa. Muy sabroso! Cervecerķa Tijuana produces outstanding beer. I felt that it was a bit on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for, and Cervecerķa Tijuana delivers a quality product, served in elegant surroundings. The chips and salsa were great, and the complimentary price was a deal. The service was very slow and sporadic, which surprised me, considering at the time of my visit, and that I was the only customer present for much of the time I was in the dining room.
Photo: I'm enjoying my second "Bronca" beer, and I got the waitress to snap my photo. Despite the slow service, I gave her a generous tip, in appreciation for her taking my photo, and allowing me to take hers. I truly would have enjoyed a taco or a burger, had they been offered to me, but I absolutely loved the beer, as it's a true pilsner, and is as good as it gets. The complimentary chips and salsa only enhanced the amazing beer. When you're visiting Tijuana, and you're in the mood to enjoy great beer, brewed locally, a trip to Cervecerķa Tijuana should be on your calendar... Cervecerķa Tijuana Copyright(c) 2009 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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