Indio is a fairly light-bodied amber lager from Cerveceria Cuahtemoc Moctezuma (the Dos Equis folks). Ostensibly based on the amber lagers of Vienna and Munich, this beer is really closer in kinship to the light caramel-colored beers that U.S. regional brewers, such as Shiner and Genesee label as "bock" (but which in reality have about as much similarity to bock as Ford Pintos have to european luxury sedans, but that's another diatribe...)
Style:
The American generic bocks ostensibly trace their roots to the big, malty, amber Bavarian-brewed classics, but which, over time have lost every connection with the classic except for a hint of the color. American generic bocks should never be considered even remotely close to the bock beers of Germany (which, by law, must be big malty beers -- minimum 16 degress Plato). American generic bocks are close cousins to standard industrial lagers. They are light bodied beers with very subdued flavor profiles. There may be a hint of malt sweetness, but like as not, the flavor will have noticeable hops. In fact, the beers are generally pretty balanced, light, and bland. American generic bocks are not big beers -- never more than about 12 Plato, and may be perceived even lighter through the use of adjunct malts. Color is often caramel color added to a standard lager, though it may stem from the addition of small quantities of dark malts.
Sample Conditions:
Indio is available only in Mexico -- I have never seen it for sale in the U.S. It is generally available only in bottles. It is widely sold throughout the Republic.
Evaluation:
Appearance: Light amber color with some orange and red hues (probably about a 15 on the SRM scale, which puts it in the range of many of the amber ales being sold today. Brilliant clarity and tight head.
Aroma: Spritzy light nose with a touch of hops and a little bit of corn. Lacks the malt components that I'd expect to find in either a Vienna or a bock, but has a very similar aroma to Shiner Bock.
Flavor: Light bodied beer that's easily poundable on a summer day. Slight malt sweetness with a hint of nuttiness, so I doubt that this is artificially colored, but still much less toastiness than I get in good amber lagers. Soft. Hopping rates are fairly light and you get a slight grassiness in the hop flavor. Again, this is a balanced beer -- don't look for a pronounced hop flavor -- you won't find it. Maybe a bit more sweetness than bitter.
Brewer Notes:
This is Cerveceria Cuahtemoc Moctezuma's most widely sold amber beer (oscura) in Mexico. It's brewed at various locations throughout the Republic. See my reviews of Dos Equis, Carta Blanca, Bohemia, and Noche Buena for more information about the brewery.
Overall Impression:
If you judge it by the european Vienna style or bock style standards, the beer comes up weak, insipid and anemic. However, I think it's fairer to judge it against beers like Shiner Bock or Genesee Bock, since its much more similar in body, flavor profile, and aroma. Basically, this is a light poundable amber colored lager. Nothing more. I generally prefer Indio to any of the light mainstream lagers on the market, but I never demand too much of it. As an everyday brew, it does fine for millions of Mexicans, and a few thirsty gringos tired of Corona or Tecate...
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