Marz Hasta La Raiz 4Pk

Marz Hasta La Raiz 4Pk is a Baja-style dark lager brewed in Chicago by Marz Community Brewing Co., sold in a four-pack format. This beer is part of the Hasta La Raíz nationwide brewing collaboration, a project in which independent breweries across the country each produce their own interpretation of a Mexican-inspired dark lager to raise awareness and support for Freedom for Immigrants, a nonprofit advocacy organization.

Quick Facts: Style: Baja-Style Dark Lager  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Brewery: Marz Community Brewing Co.  |  Format: 4-Pack Cans

Production & Heritage

Marz Community Brewing Co. operates out of Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood and has built a reputation for socially engaged, artistically driven brewing since its founding. The brewery produces in small, artisanal batches with an emphasis on sustainability and community engagement. For Hasta La Raiz — translating to "down to the root" — Marz brewed a Baja-style dark lager, a substyle rooted in the Vienna lager traditions brought to Mexico in the 19th century. These lagers rely on dark Munich and Vienna malts fermented with clean lager yeast at cool temperatures, resulting in a beer that foregrounds malt character without the roasty heaviness of stouts or porters. Each participating brewery in the collaboration brings its own house character to the recipe, making Marz's version a distinctly Chicago interpretation of the style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Baja-style dark lagers typically present toasted bread crust and light caramel sweetness on the nose. Subtle hints of cocoa nib and a faint nuttiness may emerge as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: Expect a malt-forward entry with flavors of lightly charred toast and biscuit. The mid-palate balances gentle sweetness — think brown sugar and dried fruit — against a clean, moderate bitterness. The lager yeast keeps everything crisp and well-attenuated, preventing the darker malt flavors from becoming heavy or cloying.

Finish: The finish is dry and refreshingly short, with lingering notes of toasted grain. A subtle mineral quality and mild hop bitterness provide a clean close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Hasta La Raiz

Serve cold — around 40–45°F — in a standard pint glass or a Mexican-style caballito if you want to concentrate the malt aromas. This is a highly sessionable dark lager built for straightforward drinking. It pairs naturally with a Michelada, where its toasted malt character holds up well against lime, hot sauce, and Clamato. It also works in a Beer-Rita (equal parts dark lager and margarita over ice), where the malt sweetness bridges tequila and citrus. For a simple summer serve, try it alongside a shot of mezcal as a back — the smoky agave and roasted grain complement each other.

Best For

• Supporting a cause-driven collaboration while enjoying quality craft beer
• Introducing dark lager newcomers to the style's approachable malt character
• Pairing with grilled meats at a backyard cookout
• Stocking a diverse craft beer fridge with something rooted in cultural tradition

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hasta La Raiz taste like? Hasta La Raiz is a Baja-style dark lager, meaning it delivers toasted malt, light caramel sweetness, and a clean, dry finish rather than the heavy roast flavors found in darker beer styles. It drinks crisp and refreshing despite its deeper color.

How does Hasta La Raiz compare to Negra Modelo? Both are Mexican-inspired dark lagers built on Vienna and Munich malt traditions, but Marz's version is a small-batch craft interpretation likely carrying more nuanced malt complexity than the mass-produced Negra Modelo. Negra Modelo is widely available and extremely consistent, while Hasta La Raiz reflects a single brewery's artisanal approach and a limited collaboration release.

Is Hasta La Raiz good for beginners? Yes — Baja-style dark lagers are one of the most approachable dark beer styles, combining mild toasted flavors with clean lager drinkability. If you enjoy Mexican lagers but want something with a bit more depth, this is a natural next step.

Where is Hasta La Raiz made? This version is brewed by Marz Community Brewing Co. in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The Hasta La Raíz collaboration includes breweries across the United States, each producing their own regional take on the recipe.

What foods pair well with Hasta La Raiz? Carne asada benefits from the beer's toasted malt acting as a complement to charred meat. Mole-sauced dishes echo the subtle chocolate and spice notes in the lager. Queso fundido works well, with the beer's carbonation cutting through melted cheese. Elote (Mexican street corn) pairs naturally, the malt sweetness matching the corn's charred sweetness. Dark chocolate with chili flakes mirrors the beer's roasted character.

What sizes does Hasta La Raiz come in? Marz Hasta La Raiz is sold as a four-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this collaboration release.

Is Hasta La Raiz worth the price? Hasta La Raiz positions as a craft collaboration release, typically priced in line with other small-batch four-packs from independent breweries. Part of the purchase supports Freedom for Immigrants, adding a social impact dimension beyond the liquid itself.

Why Hasta La Raiz?

What separates this beer from the crowded craft lager shelf is its origin story. The Hasta La Raíz collaboration is one of the more substantive cause-driven projects in American craft brewing, directly channeling support to Freedom for Immigrants through participating breweries nationwide. Marz Community Brewing brings genuine small-batch credibility and a track record of culturally engaged brewing to their interpretation. The Baja dark lager style itself remains underrepresented in craft beer despite its deep historical roots, making this a chance to drink something with real context behind it. For anyone who wants their beer dollars to carry meaning beyond flavor alone, this four-pack delivers on both fronts.