We have had so much fun meeting bloggers lately. A few weeks ago we had a wonderful evening with Mr. and Mrs. Tancho of Pátzcuaro. (On the Road to Pátzcuaro, México) They are both such nice people, and we had a great time talking and eating a fantastic Molika meal.
Then last week Joanna van der Gracht de Rosado and her husband were in town and unfortunately we weren’t able to get together – but it sounds like they’ll be back. Originally from Canada, Joanna writes a blog (Writing from Mérida) but she also has written a book, and was in town to sign a contract to publish it with Editorial Mazatlán. The book is one I know I’ll want to buy – about her life in Mérida, where she has lived for 34 years - marrying a Mexican man and working and raising two children. She’s a good friend of blogger Debi (Debi in Mérida) so I really hope next time they visit Maz we are able to actually meet. (Mazatlán forum readers will recognize David Bodwell as the Editor of Editorial Mazatlán)
Yesterday we had fun meeting another blogger from Mérida and Houston. (Moving to Merida) Susan and TJ are Houston residents who have recently bought a house in Mérida and their five to ten year plan is to move there full time. She wrote when they and her parents, Steve and Alice, were coming to Mazatlán, and invited us to join them in a tour of the Pacifico Brewery. It was great fun to meet them and the brewery tour was a lot of fun.
This was our first time touring the brewery. It is the original Pacifico brewery – founded in 1900 by several German immigrants. The brewery is tiny – only two acres, and it only makes one beer – Pacifico, and only for consumption in México. You know why? Because it is 4.5% alcohol, and in the US, 3.something. Pacifico is one of the lines of Grupo Modelo beer, and Grupo Modelo is now partially owned by Anheuser-Busch. TJ works for Anheuser-Busch, which is how he happened to get the private tour.
No pictures from the tour, but here’s a picture of Susan, TJ, and her parents at the bar-museum at the top of the brewery. There is a wonderful 360 degree view of the city from there.
After the tour we came back to our house for a bit and then went to lunch at Puerto Viejo at Olas Altas. It was just so nice to meet them, and I know Paul and I will look them up if we are ever in Houston or Mérida.
If you would like to see a short video about Mazatlán’s Pacifico Brewery, check it out, below. (From Mazatlan Travel)
October 12th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Aren’t Susan and TJ fun? We got to meet them last year and hope to see them again on their next trip down.
I too love meeting bloggers, it is like you already know them.
October 12th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Jonna, They are a blast, we liked them immediately. Just like with you and Mimi.
October 13th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Hey, we had a great time meeting eyeball to eyeball after keyboarding it for a few years. Love Mazatlan and the place for dinner was a pleasant surprise, a place we will definitely go to each time we return.
Saludos!
Mr and Mrs Tancho
October 15th, 2010 at 8:36 am
Pacifico is sold here in AZ. Maybe they the bottle other batches at lower levels and ship to AZ. I will take a closer look at it next time I am at the grocery store.
October 16th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Tancho, Hope all is well at home, maybe we’ll head your way sometime next year.
Chrissy, All the beer made for export to the US is made at a lower alcohol level and I think it is brewed in the plant in Sonora.
October 25th, 2010 at 9:04 am
We had such a great time with you and Paul! We love Mazatlan, and we’re looking forward to meeting up again someday!