When I moved to Pittsburgh, I was 20 years old and knew virtually no one. In my first few months living here, I was fortunate to meet a lot of different people: a group of the smartest fraternity brothers I have ever met at Carnegie Mellon, a fabulous and nerdy group of Geology grad students at Pitt, a group of people who would watch football with me, and many others. One thing all of these people seemed to have in common was their agreement on the one place I absolutely HAD to go when I finally turned 21. That place is Mad Mex, and chances are, if you have ever visited anyone in the Steel City, they probably took you there.

Mad Mex, first and foremost, is know for their deadly 22 oz. Big Azz Margaritas that come in several flavors (September is the best month because there is nothing more magical than an Apple Cider Margarita), and will absolutely have you feeling a bit “mad.” Though this crazy “Cal-Mex” joint is famous for their tequila, they are also known for having a reliably rockin’ list of brews for us beer nerds to enjoy.

The first Mad Mex opened in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Oakland in 1993. Now 20 years later with 11 locations in 4 cities, they really have something to celebrate, and boy are they doing it with style (and a lot of hops)! Mad Mex has hooked up with Cleveland-based Fat Head’s Brewery to create their very own birthday brew, the Dos Décadas IPA. The small batch collaboration is being served at the bars for a limited time only and is exactly what I would expect from my favorite Mexican-themed craft beer bar: it is amazing.

This aggressive IPA uses Mosaic hops, giving the brew an almost tropical, citrusy flair with notes of pine. The beer’s medium body stands up well to what the brewers at Fat Head’s called “a reckless abuse of hops.” Light amber in color, it looks unassuming – but don’t be fooled! The hops give an almost tingling sensation, making the beer come off as being super carbonated, almost like drinking a beer lover’s champagne. The reception of this super-limited IPA has been overwhelmingly positive, which has had me visit more than usual this week to make sure I get my fill.

If you get the chance to grab a pint of Dos Décadas before it’s gone, consider yourself lucky, but leave some for the rest of us! Thanks to Mad Mex for giving us all a present on their birthday! And cheers to another 20 years of absolute, wonderful madness!