Museo del Mescal, located north of Cd. Victoria, Tamualipas, Mexico

Before I visited the Museo del Mescal, I had no idea of how many variations of tequila exist in the modern world. Yes, I knew that tequila was the stuff that José Quevo is made of, and I thought that mescal, well mescal, just was the smokey tasting version of tequila that featured the worm at the bottom of the bottle, and always inspired courage to finish the bottle in a timely manner, so the worm could be consumed by the most macho member of the fraternity. I also didn't know that there are so many versions of mescal, and I also didn't know that mescal inspired such artistical creativity, and attracted so many beautiful women. I guess you can say that my idea of tequila, and mescal, in particular, was forever changed after I had the opportunity to visit the Museo del Mescal, located outside the small town of La Loma, about 80 km. north of Cd. Victoria.

Left: The outside of the Museo del Mescal. Notice the agave plants that decorate the facade of the building. Right: Upon entering, you'll notice the display counter and the mounted heads of animals. You go through the green arch to visit the museum.

When you enter the museo, a breathtaking sight awaits you, as you first enter the rustic combination dining room, bar, store and reception center. When I way the decor is rustic, I really mean it, as the floor is tile, the tables and chairs are made from local wood, the ceiling is wood, with open beams, and the walls are paneled with native wood. The room is filled with shelves and display cases, stocked with jars of locally-produced salsa, jams, mustards and olives, which makes for a very colorful sight. Somebody must be a hunter, as there are numerous mounted heads of deer, wild pigs and coyotes on the walls, and ducks, pheasants and doves on top of some of the display cases, and suspended from the ceiling. Paintings and pictures are everywhere. All in all, it's a really pretty sight.

Left: Fermentation tanks in the huge warehouse-like building. Right: A worker shows Jerry and Rodolfo around the building. They seem to have lots of space that really isn't used. Note the paintings on the wall, all glorifying mescal.

Naturally your eyes turn to the bar, where all of the varieties of mescal they produce are sold. You say you're not sure which variety you like? Well, after the tour, they offer free samples. More on that later. Oh yes, you just can't take your eyes from the waitresses and tour guides, as the Museo del Mescal has some of the most beautiful female employees that I have ever seen.

Left: This machinery processes the agave. Right: More mescal making equipment. Note the open belts that would give O.S.H.A. a heart attack.

The museum is entered through an arch to the left of the bar, which in itself is interesting, as it's painted bright green and adorned with large letters reading "Museo del Mescal." The tour is self-guided, and you get a chance to see how mescal is made, as there are signs explaining the process step, by step. There are also many photos about how mescal is made, and historical photos of the area. You can also check out the huge stainless steel tanks where the mescal is made, and chat with the friendly and helpful employees that are engaged in the process of making mescal. This isn't just a museum, as it's a real, working mescal factory. Also, circulating around the place, there is the cutest, little hostess that Jerry and I have ever seen. In fact she's so pretty and sweet, that Jerry and I couldn't control ourselves and we just had to give her a kiss!

Left: Rodolfo and one of the workers display a photo that Jerry took of him from a previous visit. Right: The different varieties of agave plant to make the different types of mescal are displayed on this wall.

Left: Jerry and Rodolfo gaze at some of the clever mescal paintings. Right: This combination saint/devil woman painting, which was our favorite, comes with a slogan above the painting referring to the fact that mescal is the sensual thing in the world. A booze-hater would have a lot of heartache in this place!

Besides the beautiful women, the most striking thing about the Museo del Mescal is the artwork, that adorns the walls of the factory. Practically every wall has paintings devoted to mescal, with many of them conveying humorous, creative, or sarcastic messages. M.A.D.D. would hate this place, as all of the paintings promote the glory of mescal, and the joys of dining it. Among the many subjects depicted in the paintings are a nude lady in a mescal bottle, a lady dipping a sensuous toe into a glass of mescal, a gentleman toasting the world with a glass of, you guessed it, mescal, and a painting depicting the 12 varieties of mescal. Perhaps the most creative and interesting painting is a lady, half of her is an angel, and the other half is a demon, and name of the painting is inscribed on the wall above it as "Sensibilidad, sexual, solo en el mundo de mescal," which translates into Sensibility, sex only in a world of mescal... That works for me.

Left: Jerry does a pit of p.r. work on our lovely tour guide, as she gives him a pained look. Right: The author reciprocates the favor! ¡Esa chica es muy linda!

The best part of the visit is at the end of the tour, as they open up the bar for free samples. Naturally, they want to sell you some of their mescal, but if you're a dumb gringo like I am, and you're only used to the stuff with the worm in the bottle, how are you going to know what variety to purchase unless you sample their fine wares? An older lady is in charge of the bar, but the two waitresses and our lovely tour guide readily pitched in to serve mescal to Rodolfo, Jerry and I. We were in pure heaven, as we were able to hug, kiss and flirt with three of the most beautiful women that I've ever seen, and drink as much of their wonderful mescal while doing so. I have never had such a fun time in my life, as I did two of my favorite things at the same time: Flirt with beautiful women, and get a "buzz" from some of the best mescal that I've ever had the pleasure to drink. It was absolutely wonderful!

Left: Rodolfo poses with some of the beautiful girls that work at the museo. Right: Some of the many mounted animals and birds adorn a section of the room.

Left: Jerry and Rodolfo sample the fine mescal, as the older lady tending the bar looks on. Right: Rodolfo, the dutiful politician that he is, touts the virtues of the P.R.I. to a very captive audience.

Before leaving, I purchased a 500 ml bottle of their clear, MEZCAL joven, 100% de agave, as I not only loved their mescal, but after the fun time I had, enjoying their colorful museum and their wonderful hospitality, and, of course, flirting with some of the most beautiful women that I have ever seen, it seemed like the right thing to do.

Left: Jerry can't resist having his photo taken with these beautiful girls. They opened up the bar and we sampled all varieties of the delicious mescal they sell. Right: The lady tending the bar mostly laughed at us, while we were engaged in "flirtations."

Left: Not to be outdone, the author has his photo snapped with the beautiful young women. Right: After sampling lots of mescal, Rodolfo and Jerry debate about "¿Cuál chica es la más bonita?" I still don't know the answer...

When you're in the area, I highly recommend that you visit the Museo del Mescal, for an informative look at how mescal is made, colorful and interesting artwork, and a chance to mingle with some of the most beautiful women on the planet.

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