Number 210 in a Series
I sat atop my favorite barstool at Manny’s, watching the sunburned masses trying to put out the fire with multiple cool drinks. I was just about to squeeze some lime into my Tecate when a guy next to me introduced himself as Jim. With thirsty people four deep at the bar, the noise level had reached that of a 747 taking off, but Jim and I still managed to engage in some idle conversation.
JIM: What I want to know is why they put a slice of lime in Mexican beers?
CAP’N GREG: Ah, yes. A question for the ages. But first, let’s correct a common misconception.
JIM: That you’re not as smart as you think?
CAP’N GREG: No, that’s already been proven. The misconception is that lime in beer is a Mexican phenomenon. On the contrary, the UK has a long tradition of putting a slug of lime into beer to make it more palatable to those just acquiring a taste for the brew. It showed up in Mexico in Corona, then spread to the U.S. and to other beers.
JIM: So, it’s actually a marketing tool?
CAP’N GREG: Sure. Like a paper umbrella in a cocktail. Adds a splash of color. And, by the way, while you get a slice of lime in the States, here in Mexico it’s more likely you’ll get the smaller, less sweet limón.
JIM: Why else would Mexican beer have a lime?
CAP’N GREG: One theory is that, long ago, canned beer was stored in dusty warehouses, and a slice of lime was the perfect tool to remove the dust before opening. Another theory is that bottles used to have no seal inside the caps, so the bottle tops would be rusty when opened. The acidic lime juice dissolved the rust. One more hypothesis, which I find almost believable, is that a wedge of lime was placed on top of the can or bottle to keep flies from dropping inside.
JIM: All that is interesting, but there’s one reason for the lime you haven’t mentioned.
CAP’N GREG: What’s that?
JIM: It adds a cool freshness on a hot day like today.
CAP’N GREG: Ain’t that the truth. Care for another?
JIM: Absolutely.
CAP’N GREG: Cantinero! Dos Tecates con limón, por favor!
