My latest article for The Bulletin happened to fall on May 5, Cinco de Mayo, so what else could I do but write about Mexican lager and Bend’s own Mexican-style beer brand, Tranquilo MSA?

While there’s no official definition, Mexican lagers typically fall into the spectrum between pale and Vienna (amber) lagers, and are often brewed with corn. The best examples are fairly light, crisp, and dry, with high drinkability.

Over the past decade many craft breweries have been producing their own versions of the style as it has grown in popularity. Locally, Three Creeks Brewing Co. offers Tres Arroyos Mexican Lager as part of its year-round lineup, while others have new or returning brews in time for the holiday.

Another local brand focuses exclusively on Mexican-style beer — Tranquilo MSA. Established in 2015, the company contracts with existing breweries to brew its two beers, Especial Mexican Style Ale (MSA) and Morena Amber. Tranquilo was started by the owners of the Hola! restaurant group; initially the beers were primarily available on draft at the restaurants, and now can be found at other locations as well as in cans.

Tranquilo is currently brewed at Kobold Brewing (which also, in the theme of Cinco de Mayo, brews the beers for the Madras Brewing restaurant in Madras). And there are other Mexican-style lagers available from other Central Oregon breweries (I list a few in the article).