You know the names – Corona, Dos Equis, Modelo, Sol, Tecate – all of which are lagers produced with minimal malt by the big boys of brewing just south of the border. What you probably didn’t know is, like their brethren to the north(that’s us), Mexico has a growing craft beer revolution, too! What? Really?! It’s okay, I didn’t know it either.

The LA Times published a piece yesterday highlighting the trials and tribulations – which range from equipment costs, battles with the giants of the industry, and the lack of tax breaks present in the U.S. – of Mexico’s craft beer scene. One figure that stuck out from the article was the amount of craft beer NOT being consumed: “For every 100,000 beers drunk in Mexico, only eight are craft beers, according to the microbrewers association.”

Though it seems Mexican microbrewers have a long road ahead in terms of getting their beers to the masses, to their credit they seem to be producing some interesting offerings: Belgian-inspired reds, caramel porters, and even ales aged in tequila barrels.(Must. Try. Now.)

Whatever the future holds for the Mexican craft brewer, I’m certain with the help of social media and a desire to stay current with the world stage, many good things are yet to come.

Seems, Mexico isn’t all mass graves and drug cartels.