Beer of the week: Lager Magnifico from Dos Desperados Brewery

For the rebel in all of us, this German-style lager is perfect for long, hot summer days.

Aug. 6, 2019 10:21 AM PT

Beer Name: Lager Magnifico
Brewery: Dos Desperados Brewery
Style: German-style lager
ABV: 4.7%

Located in the craft brewery hotspot of San Marcos, Dos Desperados brewery brings a unique vibe to the local San Diego County beer scene. With a decidedly Clint Eastwood-esque vibe, the brewery produces a variety of styles with wild West-style names and imagery. Born out of founder Steve Munson’s first Mexican-style homebrew 20 years ago, Dos Desperados Brewery was launched in 2014. PACIFIC recently chatted with head brewer Hayden Weir about the newest (and crushable) brew to take the spotlight as beer of the week.

PACIFIC: What’s the story behind the Dos Desperados name?

HAYDEN WEIR: Family and friends drinking our home brew beer in our backyard started coming up with possible names for our brewery. The times of the early Southwest in 1870 to 1900s was a fast growing era with few laws or rules with many rebels, or desperados, rising to fame. The rebel in all of us was the favorite thought. Dora (Munson’s wife) is the Una and Steve is the Dos in Dos Desperados.

What’s in the Lager Magnifico?

WEIR: It is a German Helles Lager with all German-grown malts. We use Saaz and Millennium hops to keep the traditional use of noble hops while adding an American note with Millennium.

What to expect:

WEIR: Lager Magnifico catches the eye with a pale, straw color and is brilliantly clear. We naturally carbonate this beer which causes the formation of smaller bubbles for a denser head and a stronger carbonic bite. Sweet malt and bready flavors finish with a floral hop character and a dry refreshing finish.

The perfect pairing?

WEIR: This beer pairs with any lunch or dinner foods. It isn’t very filling so allows you to enjoy your food and the beer equally.

Where to get it and for how long: Lager Magnifico is one of Dos Desperados’ core beers and will always be on tap in the tasting room. You can also find it on tap at Carver’s Rancho Bernardo, Buena Pizza (Station Pizza) Vista, Culichi Town Vista, Rose’s Tasting Room Old Town, Urge San Marcos, Conway’s Carmel Mountain, Craft Burger Carlsbad, and Regal Seagull Encinitas.

This beer gal’s take: Crisp, clean, and ultra-refreshing, this is the beer for hot summer days, and post biking, hiking, and running. It quenches the thirst and will be the perfect accompaniment for lighter foods like salads, ceviche and seafood. But, in the land of tacos and burritos, there may not be a better pairing than classic Mexican staples like chips, salsa and guac, and a big plate of enchiladas.

Extra juicy tidbit: While at Dos Desperados, don’t miss trying the Fugitive Farmhouse Ale, a well-crafted saison, the Sultry Stout, the brewrey’s cinnamon-vanilla oatmeal stout, and the popular Hazy Daisy, a New England-style IPA with Mosaic and El Dorado hops.

1241 Linda Vista Dr., San Marcos, 760.566.6209, dosdesperadosbrew.com