May

05

Bohemia Obscura

By Andy Murphy

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Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! As I’m writing this, I’m celebrating by enjoying a few sips of the wonderful Clase Azul Reposado Tequila which I carried home from my trip to Mexico earlier this year. It has a rich caramel and vanilla flavor with only a hint of smokiness, oily on the tongue and wonderful all around — and this is coming from someone who has always thought he hated tequila.

But this post isn’t about tequila; it’s about another bottle I stuffed into my luggage before flying home from Cabo — a bottle of beer.

Bohemia was the best beer I had while I was in Mexico. I described it as having a “sweet citrus nose . . . complimented by lightly bitter hops” but acknowledged it still tasted “like a Corona, but better.” That bottle was of Bohemia Clasica. Two days later, the staff delivered to my room a special bottle of Bohemia Obscura — a darker version of Bohemia. I resolved to save the bottle because I had already consumed my beer for the day, so Bohemia Obscura wound up in my suitcase and ultimately made its way to my basement.

Bohemia Obscura poured a rich, smoked amber color with an eager head that leisurely faded into lacing. The aroma was sweet and superficial; in fact, my first thought was that Bohemia Obscura smelled like a cola, specifically like a weak cherry cola.

Can you make a blush beer? Bohemia may have pulled that off. This malty beer is soft on the palate with a fair amount of sweet, cherry-flavored malt and a nutty flavor that makes it quite appealing and unlike any other Mexican beer I’ve ever had. Malt dominates, but Bohemia Obscura also has a hint of hop bitterness which comes through most clearly as the beer finishes.

On the whole, I’m pleased this 5.5% ABV Mexican beer lived through the voyage in my checked bag and then survived four months in my basement. It’s certainly unlike any other mass-produced Mexican beer I’ve had before. I know you can get Bohemia Clasica in the U.S., but if you happen to see Bohemia Obscura — give it a try and let me know what you think!

Related posts:

1. Ichtegem’s Grand Cru
2. Beantown Nut Brown – Boston Beer Works

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Categories : Beer a Day