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I don't remember when I first heard about the Tijuana Brewery, but the idea of a microbrewery in Mexico intrigued me, as Mexico produces the best beer that I've ever tasted, period. All that aside, how many microbreweries are actually located within Baja California? I'd been planning to pay a visit to the Tijuana Brewery for the last couple of years, and on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, I finally found myself on Blvd. Fundadores, looking at a big 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!
Photo: Cerveza 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 at 2:00 on a Tuesday afternoon, and the place 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 gal at the door, I sat down at a nearby table, and picked up a menu to see what was in store.
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. Tijuana Brewery is a classy place, and quite elegant inside, as the decor is quite Victorian, with high ceilings, richly paneled walls, stained glass, brass lamp fixtures, fleur de lis wallpaper, wooden floors, and one of the most elegant bars that I've ever seen. 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. Tijuana Brewery is pure class... Despite the fact that I was quite outnumbered by staff members, I probably sat at my table for five minutes before a waitress came over 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 Web Site advertises the fact that they are a restaurant as well as a brewery, but I wasn't offered a menu, so I just decided to concentrate my attention on the beer, along with the complimentary chips and salsa.
Photo: My waitress was completely unaware that I was in the process of taking her photo, after she placed my beer, chips and salsa on the table. She didn't even have time to object... The "Bronca" beer arrived in a frosty mug, and was excellent, being a medium, pilsner, very German-tasting beer. Oh baby, it's great beer, tasting even better after the long walk, 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: My delicious beer, chips and salsa. Note seasoned salt is sprinkled on the chips, which is new to me. Tijuana Brewery produces outstanding beer. I felt that it was a bit on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for, and Tijuana Brewery 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 that I was the only customer present.
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'm not sure that I'll make the Tijuana Brewery a day's destination, but when I'm in the area, I plan to stop by, to enjoy another delicious beer and a bowl of free chips and salsa. Cerveza
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