When German immigrants arrived in Mexico during the 19th century, they brought their beer brewing tradition with them. After a long history of altering these recipes and giving them a Mexican-style touch, this nation managed to become the world’s sixth-largest beer producer.
Today, we’ve brought you the best Mexican beer collection with 15 distinctive options, from fizzy yellow beers to unique craft ales.
15 Best Mexican Beers
- Corona Extra
- Modelo Especial
- Pacifico Clara
- Tecate Light
- Carta Blanca
- Estrella Jalisco
- Bohemia Oscura
- Victoria
- Sol Cerveza
- Dos Equis Amber
- Indio
- León
- Montejo
- Negra Modelo
- Minerva Stout
1. Corona Extra
Alcohol content: 4.6% ABV, Calories: 148
Anyone on the quest to find the best beer in Mexico knows that one sip of Corona Extra will transport you to sunny Mexico, south of the border. The Grupo Modelo brewery first perfected this golden color lager in 1925, only for it to be crowned as the best-selling beer in Mexico today.
This refreshing lager has a balanced flavor profile, with a mild sweetness of malt and a light corn aroma. The fruity hops give it a slight bitterness, as the citrus notes join for a final twist. Its aftertaste is clean and crisp, making it the go-to beer on a hot day.
2. Modelo Especial
Alcohol content: 4.4% ABV, Calories: 144
Another Mexican beer that’s as special as its name is the Modelo Especial, brewed by the iconic Grupo Modelo. This Pilsner-style lager has over 90 years of brewing expertise tucked away in its golden hue. And just like its history, this beer’s medium body is just as rich.
Modelo Especial features a full-flavor profile, a crisp body, and a smooth finish. The premium beer is made of high-grade hops, exceptional malts, and a touch of orange honey, corn, and herbs. Try it alongside some hearty Mexican food and fall in love with beer all over again.
3. Pacifico Clara
Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV, Calories: 143
Originating from the shores of Mazatlán, this Mexican lager is Grupo Modelo’s third feature on this list. The “Pacifico” label refers to Cervecería del Pacífico, which is where this beer was first brewed. And just like the rest of its name, this light beer is clear, crisp, and memorable.
With just a sip, you’ll sense a fine malty brew full of zesty hops. The beer comes with a corn sweetness and a faint fruity profile, making it a great choice for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The premium beer is topped off with a pure white head—a staple of Mexican beers.
4. Tecate Light
Alcohol content: 3.9% ABV, Calories: 103
Another Mexican pale lager that you must try is the Tecate Light by Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery. This Mexican beer has been around since 2007, flaunting a pale, golden color and a light body that screams freshness.
Thanks to its malted barley content, this beer boasts a crisp, hoppy taste and a very satisfying finish. However, don’t let its pale color fool you! This refreshing beer brings the malt forward with such intensity that you’ll completely indulge in its easy-drinking experience.
5. Carta Blanca
Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV, Calories: 140
Now, we’re back to some Mexican beers with a slightly higher alcoholic content. The legendary Carta Blanca comes from the same brewery as Tecate, and its name translates to “White Card.” Yes, this is another light beer, but it has a much richer taste profile.
The beer’s initial crispiness is quickly followed by a hint of tasty sweetness. Then, it’s joined with a light bitterness with corny undertones, fully stimulating your taste buds. Beer enthusiasts love this beer paired with ice-cold lime juice, but any snacks with soy sauce match it perfectly, too.
6. Estrella Jalisco
Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV, Calories: 190
Those passionate about Mexican beers have probably heard of Estrella Jalisco, which is another iconic craft beer by Grupo Modelo. This drink often lights up bars with its distinctive light golden hue, and thanks to its medium-light carbonation, it’s quite easy to drink as well.
Estrella Jalisco is a Pilsner-style lager that embodies the vibrant spirit of Mexico City. With it, you’ll enjoy a smooth and crisp flavor with a balanced malt taste and citrus notes. And the light lager fully passes the taste test with its hoppy aroma and unforgettable, clean finish.
7. Bohemia Oscura
Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV, Calories: 150
Bohemia Oscura is a Vienna-style lager that has rightfully taken its spot as one of the best Mexican beers of all time. Brewed by Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery, this beer is named after the region in the Czech Republic, which is famed for its brewing expertise.
These Vienna-style lagers first greet you with a gentle bitterness, thanks to their Saaz hops. Then, they start boasting a malty sweetness and just a tiny hit of nuts. The golden beers end their journey with a crisp and clean finish, letting all ingredients shine but never overwhelm you.
8. Victoria
Alcohol content: 4% ABV, Calories: 135
They say that the finest beers in Mexico are brewed in Grupo Modelo, and there’s no denying that. Victoria is another Mexican lager produced by the brewing giant, and ever since its creation in 1865, it has been an iconic showcase of beer craftsmanship.
Victoria is another Vienna-style lager but with a darker straw color and a medium body. The dark beer greets you with aromas of grains and malt, which pair beautifully with low-hop bitterness. These dark lagers also have a blend of sweetness, featuring both corn and caramel.
9. Sol Cerveza
Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV, Calories: 132
Sol is another brilliant golden Mexican beer that hails from Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma brewery. Legend has it that this beer’s brewmaster noticed a ray of sunlight hitting his brew pot, which inspired him to name it “Sol,” which translates to the sun.
Whether that’s true or not, Sol is a sparkling golden lager that goes well with any Mexican dish featuring hot sauce or tomato juice. This craft beer boasts a grainy malt aroma, a light body, and a well-balanced flavor palette. It also has a medium alcoholic content, so it’s a pretty easy drink.
10. Dos Equis Amber
Alcohol content: 4.7% ABV, Calories: 150
Those familiar with the “Most Interesting Man in the World” have heard of the Dos Equis beer and its iconic green bottle. This amber lager is brewed by Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery, and it has been among Mexico’s favorite fermented drinks since 1897.
This smoky dark beer will charm you with its amber color and sparkling bubbles. Its first sip will draw you in with a mild sweetness, featuring a great corn, malt, and caramel combo, with just a punch of hops. This beer has a smooth and clean finish, so it’s very drinkable on any occasion.
11. Indio
Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV, Calories: 135
Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma doesn’t stop there, as its fantastic creations reach far and wide into the Mexican beer market. Another iconic drink from this brewery is Indio, which is a medium-bodied amber beer famous for its rich flavor.
With a tasty corn profile and a solid, malty sweetness, this drink is one of the best Mexican lagers out there. The amber beer is tinged with caramel notes, while its slight hoppiness makes for a very crispy finish. This all leaves an irresistible aftertaste, so it’s a definite must-try!
12. León
Alcohol content: 8.5% ABV, Calories: 235
Dark beers are one thing, but dark beers with an alcoholic content of 8.5% ABV completely change the game. Such is León, another incredible Mexican Beer brewed by Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma. It is a Vienna-style lager with a rich history tracing back to 1893.
These Mexican beers start with a robust, biscuit-y malt profile, but they’re softened with a subtle caramel sweetness. They feature a hint of earthy hop bitterness and a satisfying medium build. These amber beers taste great, look amazing, and are worth a shot.
13. Montejo
Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV, Calories: 170
Grupo Modelo makes another comeback to this list with Montejo, an absolute Mexico gem. Anyone trying these Mexican beers for the first time will be immediately hooked on their bright, golden color and grainy aroma.
Modelo’s flavor doesn’t disappoint either because it’s perfectly balanced. Beer enthusiasts have described this drink as clean, light, and crisp, with hints of malt and corn. These beers are frequently mixed with lime for a refreshing taste that only sun-kissed Mexico can provide.
14. Negra Modelo
Alcohol content: 5.3% ABV, Calories: 173
Negra Modelo is a dark Mexican beer that comes from Grupo Modelo, where it first flowed from the taps in 1925. Besides being one of the best Mexican beers in the market, the Negra Modelo set a high bar for brewers by being the country’s first Munich-style Dunkel.
This beer features a deep mahogany color, a full-bodied flavor, and a malty taste. The drink is made of black malts, so it has a rich mouthfeel and undertones of caramel and chocolate. However, its toasty finish balances out the sweetness, making the beer surprisingly refreshing.
15. Minerva Stout
Alcohol content: 6% ABV, Calories: 156
Our last pick for the best Mexican beers is a stout that comes straight from Mexico’s artisanal brewing scene. The Minerva Stout is brewed in Cervecería Minerva, which has reimagined the traditional Irish stout with a distinctive Mexican Twist.
This irresistibly dark beer boasts a malty sweetness that melts into smooth flavors of toasted bread, corn, and toffee. Afterward, the taste begins to transform into bitter chocolate, which perfectly complements the stout’s full-bodied richness. Yum!
Conclusion
Mexico’s fantastic beer collection is truly iconic, which is why it’s one of the biggest beer distributors in the world. The two brands that rule the most, Grupo Modelo and Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, lead the way, but many other great breweries keep the brewing revolution alive.
The taste of Mexican beer is very special. Even though most options are light lagers, these beers have a delicate, malty sweetness and citrusy hints. That’s why it’s common practice in Mexico to garnish these drinks with lime or even mix them up with lime juice.
All in all, Mexican lagers are refreshing, distinctive, and, most importantly, worth trying. Salud!
