Our Favorite Mexican Beer

Ask an American what Mexican beer means to them and they’ll probably reply not by explaining a flavor profile, but by describing a feeling. They’re beers for hot weather. Beers that go great with food. Beers that necessitate a lime. A cerveza you can drink a lot of.

But there’s a lot more to Mexican beer and brewing history than those simplifications.

What Is Mexican Beer?

The Aztecs drank beer. Well, sort of, but not really. Beer has a long history in Mexico, with Mesoamerican cultures knowing all about fermented alcoholic beverages long before the Spanish conquistadores ever reached the shores of the Americas.

A fermented beverage called pulque, made from the sap of the agave plant was common. But arguably the closest thing they had to beer was a drink called tesguino, which was made from fermented corn, resulting in a light, amber colored liquid that was whisked before drinking.

Some traditionalists still make and drink these beverages today.

The First Brewing in the Americas

The arrival of Hernan Cortes in 1519 and the ensuing Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, however, took beer in Central and South America in an entirely new direction.

The Spaniards were the first to brew beers in Mexico using barley and wheat. The first official European-style brewery was opened in New Spain by one of Cortes’s soldiers, Alfonso de Herrero, in the 1540s, probably located south of today’s Mexico City.

Herrera’s brewery struggled because alcohol consumption was highly regulated by Spanish authorities (who were protecting the import market from Europe) and sourcing was expensive due to the lack of native wheat and barley. Plus it was difficult to persuade people away from their more traditional local alcoholic beverages.

In the end, the brewery didn’t pass the test of time but Herrera did manage to get the ball rolling in terms of beer making in Mexico.

The Growth of the Mexican Beer Industry

After Mexico’s War of Independence (1810-1821) and with the absence of European regulation and taxes, beer production began to flourish in Mexico.

The real growth in Mexican brewing was actually kicked off by another effort at conquest. In the 1860s, while America was preoccupied with the Civil War, European powers (France, Spain and England) to whom Mexico owed large sums of money invaded. Spain and England realized quickly that France wanted to conquer and colonize Mexico, so they dropped out. France established the short-lived (1864-67) Second Mexican Empire, putting Austrian archduke Maximillan in charge as Emperor.

Maximilian was executed as Banito Juarez re-assumed leadership of the Republic of Mexico. But the archduke had brought with him his own brewmaster, who produced the sort of Vienna-style lagers which no longer really exist in Austria today. They have become synonymous with a certain type of Mexican beer, most notably seen in the present courtesy of Negra Modelo and Dos Equis Ambar Especial.

In the latter part of the 19th century, an influx of Austrian and German immigrants brought additional knowledge and expertise to the country (especially in brewery construction) which caused the local market to diversify and improve its product. An emerging railroad system allowed Mexicans to import brewing machinery and malt from the United States, as well as American beer, a new competitor to their homegrown stuff. Yet, by 1918, there were 36 beer producers in Mexico.

American Prohibition Boosted the Mexican Beer Industry

The 36 local producers faced serious competition from American breweries over the border which, thanks to the railroad system, started exporting huge quantities of beer into Mexico.

Then the prohibition took hold in the United States, which eliminated the competition for Mexican breweries and gave them a legion of new and thirsty customers. Prohibition soon became boom time for Mexican breweries, which started popping up along the border in greater numbers to quench the thirst of beer-starved American citizens who would “pop over” for a drink.

As with the beer industry in many other countries, competition would lead to consolidation and closures. During the consolidation smaller breweries were absorbed into one of the “big two” breweries, Grupo Modelo or Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc (Moctezuma), which emerged as the two dominant players of the Mexican beer market.

The “big two” supplied over 90% of all beer in Mexico, and in 2003, Mexico overtook the Netherlands as a world leader in beer production. It remains so today by massive growth in exports to the neighboring U.S. beverage markets.

The Mexican Craft Beer Movement

The craft-beer boom began in America in the early 1980s before spreading to Canada, South America, Europe and Asia. But it would take a bit longer for Mexico to capitalize on the trend.

Mexico doesn’t grow its own hops, and its barley production is far less than what the U.S. and Canada grow, making it an expensive proposition for microbreweries. The country’s “big beer duopoly” also made distribution virtually impossible for the small guys.

Bars had to pay up to $50,000 to serve beer, but they could get an interest free loan if they signed an exclusivity contract with the “Big Two.”

In 2013, the law was changed to allow bars to sell craft beer even if they had signed an exclusivity contract. Suddenly, craft breweries began to pop up, and currently there are around 700 craft breweries in Mexico.

Nevertheless, if you are thirsty for an easy-drinking lager on a hot day, it’s hard to beat the country’s legendary lagers.

Favorite Mexican Beers

By now, you surely have a favorite Mexican beer. Here are our favorites.

Image from Modelo USA Official Facebook Page (Source)

Negra Modelo

Negra Modelo was first brewed by Austrian expatriates in Mexico. It is stronger than other Mexican beers due to its 5.4% alcoholic content. The best selling dark beer in Mexico is not heavy and has the right combination of galena hops, caramel, and black malts.

It takes longer than average to brew. A Negra Modelo has a bitterness from the hops but it’s balanced with the sweetness of fruits and nuts.

Pacifico

The Mexican beer Pacifico gets its name from Cerveceria del Pacifico. This is where it was first brewed by German expatriates.

It has a pale color and mild sweetness. It’s alcoholic content is only 4.5%, which makes for a great lunch drink.

A bright and refreshing beer that can be served with lime and is best paired with fish.

Tecate

Tecate is a pale lager with a light golden color. It is crisp and refreshing with a slightly bitter hop finish. Tecate, now famous around the world, was first introduced in 1944 by the Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma Brewery, which has been taken over by Heineken Mexico.

The beer is named after the city of Tecate in Baja California, Mexico. It is well known in Mexico due to its association with sports teams and events. The 80-plus-year-old larger comes in two offerings: Tecate Light and Tecate Original.

Modelo Especial

Modelo Especial is another famous Mexican beer. It is a medium bodied amber lager with a slightly sweet and smooth malt flavor and a mild but slightly bitter hop finish.

It was first brewed in 1925 and is best enjoyed with Mexican cuisine as its smooth, refreshing and balanced flavor enhances the unique and intense Mexican spices and flavors.

Sol

Sol is a pale lager, crisp and refreshing, with a slightly sweet malt flavor and a slightly bitter yet crisply mild hop finish.

It is one of the oldest Mexican beers, first brewed in 1899. Its name means “sun” in Spanish and, as such, this beer is best enjoyed as a refreshing drink on a hot and humid summer day.

Image from Bohemia Official Instagram Page (Source)

Bohemia Monterrey

Bohemia is a full-bodied, Vienna-style lager with a rich malt flavor and a slightly bitter finish. Bohemia’s story dates back to early 1905, when it was first brewed, and gets its name because of its use of hops sourced from the Czech Republic’s Bohemian region.

Bohemia is a beer for the beer connoisseur that can appreciate the more complex flavors and is best enjoyed as a special treat. This is the beer you bring to a party if you want to stand out and have people ask about it.

Dos Equis XX

Dos Equis is a medium-bodied, amber lager with a crisp, smooth, mild, somewhat bitter hop finish. Dos Equis has a rich history, as it was first brewed in 1897 in Monterey, Mexico.

Dos Equis XX is a very refreshing beer that is best enjoyed chilled on a very hot day. Dos Equis is an authentic and classic Mexican beer that you will surely enjoy. It is perfect for parties or a casual drink at the bar.

Corona Extra

Corona Extra is a refreshing light lager, crisp with a slightly sweet malt flavor and a citrusy mild hop finish. This is another classic beer with a rich history, as it was first introduced back in 1925, which has since been a staple of Mexican culture.

Corona Extra is one of the best selling beers in the world thanks to its distinct flavor, taste, and of course, the marketing and commercials that have established Corona Extra as a cultural icon. Enjoy your Corona Extra with a (now classic) lime wedge.

Estrella Jalisco

Similar to Sol, this is a bright and hoppy beer that catches your attention with its striking yellow color in a clear bottle.

Estrella Julisco is the ideal beach-sipping beer because it is super light and refreshing, like most Mexican lagers, but offers more hops and citrus flavors.

Dos Equis Lager

Unlike many of the other well-known Mexican lagers, Dos Equis lists the ingredients. They are water, malted barley, corn starch, corn syrup, hops, and ascorbic acid. A little more scientific than most beers we’re used to, at least they’re being honest.

Dos Equis Lager was the invention of a German expert, William Hasse. It is similar to a German Oktoberfest with a refreshing, sharp, drinkable taste.

Image from Corona USA Official Facebook Page (Source)

Corona Light

Compared to Corona Extra, Corona Light has mellow characteristics. It is a light beer, loved by both women and men, and is designed to always be a crisp and refreshing drink.

What Makes Mexican Beers Different?

Mexican beers are distinct due to their special blend of corn, barley and herbs. Though they might seem to many as just like any other ordinary beer, one sip will reveal a subtle, yet remarkable, flavor that is very unique.

If you are a lover of Mexican beer, or would like to try Mexican beer for the first time, consider visiting Holy Tequila. We offer fresh, authentic, and innovative Mexican food that will pair perfectly with your choice of Mexican Beer.