Judge's Review: 88 Rating - Dia De Los Deftones by Belching Beaver Brewery

Dia De Los Deftones by Belching Beaver Brewery is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (Category 29A) from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

Dia De Los Deftones pours a deep yellow with a touch of haze and a white head that leaves a thick stand of fine bubbles on the beer. The aroma initially shows light sulfur that is typical of lager yeast strains, moderate lime zest and very light grainy malt. A hint of spicy hop aroma emerges as it warms and vents. The flavor follows the aroma, although the lime character is more prominent and tends to mask the other expected characteristics. A hint of grainy malt does develop in the aftertaste. Any hop flavor is hidden behind the lime. Medium-low hop bitterness emerges mid-palate, growing as it lingers through the medium-dry finish. The medium body and moderate carbonation finishes this beer. 

Dia De Los Deftones is a Mexican-style lager with lime, and is a collaboration with the alt-rock band Deftones. It is an enjoyable fruit beer, but the lime tends to overpower other flavor characteristics, and better balance is needed so the Mexican lager character can shine through a bit more. It is still a very refreshing beer that you can enjoy during the warm days of summer and fall.