9% Más

Been to Pacific Mexico lately? If you're known to tip back an icy "cerveza" from time to time, you'll have noticed that independent Pacífico has inflated its bottle size. Yes. It's now "9% más" in every bottle. After just a couple you're already 18% ahead of the competition. Pacífico froths forth from sunny, friendly, colonial-esque Mazatlán. The brewery is right downtown. On a recent visit to this booming and very self-assured Mexican community, there were discoveries around every corner. During the warm days and sarape evenings of post-carnaval, Jane and I were amazed by the rebirth of historic downtown. This nostalgic 19th century grid of Spanish influenced facades, plazas and churches is punctuated with hump-like hills affording sweeping Pacific views. A wave of lovely restorations has bestowed the area with new B & B's, cafes "al aire libre" and an aire of civic pride. Take a table at the Plaza Machado and enjoy 9% más. Felicidades Mazatlán, amigo viejo.