Discover the World of Mexican Beer: A Rich History and Diverse Flavors

Mexico, a land celebrated for its vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning landscapes, also boasts a significant presence in the global beer industry. For centuries, brewing traditions have evolved in Mexico, transforming it into one of the world’s leading beer-producing nations. From light, refreshing lagers perfect for a sunny day to robust, flavorful dark beers, the variety of Mexican Beer is as diverse and captivating as the country itself. Many of these brews have transcended borders, becoming top-selling beers in international markets like the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australasia, proving the global appeal of authentic mexican beer.

A Journey Through Time: The History of Mexican Beer

The story of mexican beer is a fascinating journey through history, blending indigenous traditions with European influences.

Mesoamerican Roots: Fermented Beginnings

Long before the arrival of Europeans, ancient Mesoamerican civilizations were adept at creating alcoholic beverages. They fermented plants and corn grains to produce drinks, with pulque being a prominent example. Pulque, still enjoyed today, is crafted from the fermented sap of the maguey plant. This drink, thick, milky, and notably potent, held a sacred status in Aztec times, reserved primarily for the elite. Following the Spanish conquest, pulque transitioned into a more secular beverage, becoming widely consumed across social strata.

Spanish Introduction and Early Hurdles

The Spanish conquistadors introduced European-style beers to Mexico, utilizing barley and wheat. However, early beer production faced limitations, partly due to the scarcity of suitable grains. In the mid-16th century, Spanish authorities granted the first official concession to brew European beers. Despite efforts to expand barley cultivation locally and reduce costs, the nascent industry was hampered by stringent regulations and hefty taxes imposed by Spain. These policies deliberately favored imported European beverages, stifling the growth of locally produced mexican beer and wine.

The Flourishing of Mexican Beer Production

Mexico’s War of Independence marked a turning point for mexican beer. The departure of European regulations and taxes paved the way for a period of flourishing beer production. The latter half of the 19th century witnessed an influx of German immigrants, bringing invaluable brewing knowledge and expertise. This infusion of German influence diversified the local market and significantly improved the quality of mexican beer. By the early 20th century, mexican beer had become a substantial industry, further propelled by Prohibition in the United States. This era saw a boom in the cross-border trade of beer and other alcoholic beverages, particularly in Mexican border towns and cities, adding to the momentum of mexican beer production.

Mexican Beer Today: Dominated by Giants, Touched by Craft

By the end of the Mexican Revolution, over thirty-five breweries were operating within Mexico. The 1920s marked the beginning of industry consolidation, shaping the mexican beer market we recognize today. This period saw smaller breweries being absorbed by two emerging giants: Grupo Modelo and Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma. These two entities became the dominant forces in the mexican beer landscape. Successful beer brands were mass-produced and distributed across regions or nationwide, while less successful ones disappeared. Smaller breweries that remained independent struggled to compete with the economies of scale achieved through consolidation.

The “Big Two” Beer Breweries in Mexico

Today, the mexican beer market is primarily managed by two major corporations: Cerveceria Modelo (Grupo Modelo) and Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma (FEMSA). Together, they account for over 90% of the beer supply in Mexico. Mexico has surpassed the Netherlands to become the world’s leading beer producer, driven significantly by exports to the U.S. beverage market.

Domestic mexican beer sales exceed six billion U.S. dollars annually, with exports contributing approximately 2.2 billion U.S. dollars. These major brewers operate seventeen brewing plants across eleven states and support over ninety barley-producing centers nationwide. They also manage an extensive and sophisticated retail distribution network, ensuring their branded mexican beers reach even the most remote towns and villages. The mexican beer industry provides direct employment to over 90,000 people in Mexico and indirectly supports another 800,000 jobs.

Microbreweries in Mexico: A Budding Scene

In contrast to the U.S. and Europe, small, independent microbreweries are not as prevalent in Mexico. However, a niche microbrewery scene is emerging, with establishments like Cerveceria San Angel and Cerveceria Santa Fe Beer Factory in Mexico City, Pepe and Joe’s in Mazatlan, and Beer Lounge in Guadalajara. These microbreweries often focus on producing ales, diverging from the lagers and pilsners that dominate the mainstream mexican beer market. Increasingly, higher-quality local bars and bistros in Mexico are stocking these artisan ales, enhancing the visibility and recognition of mexican beer microbreweries.

Exploring the Variety: Types and Brands of Mexican Beer

The majority of mexican beers are lagers, pilsners, and Vienna-style beers, both light and dark, along with Munich dark beers. Microbreweries contribute a smaller selection of ales. For those seeking local ales, better bars and bistros are the best places to explore.

The major breweries distribute their mexican beers either nationally or regionally. With over 90% of the market share held by the “big two,” understanding their principal products and brands is key to navigating the world of mexican beer.

Grupo Modelo’s Flagship Mexican Beers

Corona Extra: A light lager pilsner, Corona Extra is the quintessential mexican beer globally, exported to 159 countries. It stands as the top-selling non-domestic beer in the U.S. and the U.K. This light-bodied lager offers a mild flavor profile with a subtle hop bitterness. Annual production reaches approximately 4.5 billion liters.
Corona Light: Introduced in 1989 as Grupo Modelo’s first low-calorie option, Corona Light maintains the signature Corona taste but with 30% fewer calories than Corona Extra, appealing to health-conscious mexican beer drinkers.
Negra Modelo: Known in Mexico as the “cream of beers,” Negra Modelo is a smooth, dark “Munich-dunkel” style beer. One of Modelo’s original brews, it was initially available only on draft. Today, Negra Modelo is bottled and distributed nationwide, offering a richer mexican beer experience.
Modelo Especial: The first brand produced by Modelo in 1925, Modelo Especial remains a favorite among Mexican consumers, ranking as the second best-selling mexican beer domestically. Classified as a Pilsner lager, it presents a slightly fuller and richer flavor compared to Corona. A light version was launched in 1994.
Victoria: A Pilsner-Vienna style beer in production since 1865, Victoria joined the Modelo group in 1935. This mexican beer features a distinctive amber color and a balanced blend of light pilsner and dark beer characteristics, offering a unique and tasty profile.
León and Montejo: Originally brewed in Merida, Yucatan, León and Montejo have rich histories. León, a Munich-style, dark amber, full-bodied beer, has been produced for over a century. Montejo, a light pilsner, dates back to 1960. Initially regional beers of the Yucatan, they became part of the Modelo portfolio in the late 1970s and are now available across most of Mexico, expanding their reach as iconic mexican beers.
Pacífico: This refreshing pilsner-style mexican beer, originally from Mazatlan, is Grupo Modelo’s leading brand in northeastern Mexico. Exported to the U.S. since 1985, Pacífico offers a crisp and clean taste. A light version was introduced in 2008.
Barrilito: Meaning “little barrel,” Barrilito is a light mexican beer categorized as a pilsner due to its refreshing taste and aroma, offering a lighter option within the Modelo range.

Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma’s Iconic Mexican Beers

Sol: A light and flavorful lager, Sol was initially targeted at the working class. After marketing research indicated its appeal to younger demographics, Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc relaunched Sol in 1993 after a hiatus. Today, Sol is exported to Asia, Europe, and South America, becoming a globally recognized mexican beer brand.
Tecate: Originally brewed in Tecate, Baja California, Tecate became part of Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc in 1954. This medium-bodied lager with a sharp, strong taste is now available nationwide. Tecate holds the distinction of being the first mexican beer sold in cans and has received international accolades. Its strong association with sporting events makes it one of Mexico’s most recognized beer brands.
Tecate Light: Introduced in 1992, Tecate Light was the first low-calorie mexican beer on the market. It aims to deliver the traditional Tecate flavor with reduced calories, catering to the growing demand for lighter options.
Dos Equis (XX) Ambar and Dos Equis (XX) Lager: Dos Equis Ambar, initially named ‘Siglo XX’ and brewed by a German brewer in 1897, is a Vienna-style dark beer. It was Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc’s best-selling brand in the mid-20th century and remains the top-selling non-domestic dark beer in the U.S. Dos Equis Lager is a lighter version based on the Ambar recipe and is popular in both Mexico and the United States, showcasing the versatility of mexican beer styles.
Bohemia: Competing with Modelo Especial, Bohemia is a light, rich lager and one of Mexico’s oldest beer brands. It has garnered international recognition as a world-class beer, distinguished by a significant hops flavor and a dense body despite its clarity. Bohemia also has a dark version, Bohemia Obscura, and in 2009, introduced Bohemia Weizen, a wheat-based mexican beer with Mount Hood hops, coriander, and orange peel – the first wheat beer from a major Mexican brewery.
Noche Buena: Available seasonally between October and December, Noche Buena (“Christmas Eve”) is a dark, rich, strongly flavored mexican beer. Its limited availability makes it a highly anticipated annual treat for mexican beer enthusiasts.
Indio: A smooth, dark mexican beer produced since 1905, Indio was originally named Cuauhtemoc. Popular demand led to a name change to Indio (“Indian”), reflecting the image on its label. Its appeal lies in its refreshing quality in warm weather and warming character in cooler climates, making it adaptable to Mexico’s diverse climate.
Sol 2: Launched in 2007, Sol 2 is a medium-bodied light mexican beer with a more pronounced flavor than Sol. Consumer input influenced the bottle’s design and imagery, highlighting the brand’s connection with its audience.
Sol Cero: Mexico’s first non-alcoholic beer, Sol Cero aims to retain the flavor of Sol while eliminating alcohol and reducing carbohydrates, catering to the growing non-alcoholic beverage market.
Sol Limon y Sal: For those who enjoy beer with lime and salt, Sol Limon y Sal comes pre-mixed with these ingredients, offering a convenient and ready-to-drink mexican beer experience.
Sol Cero Limon y Sal: The non-alcoholic version of Sol Limon y Sal extends the flavor profile to those seeking alcohol-free options.
Superior: A light mexican beer favored for over fifty years, Superior was originally brewed as a premium product. After a period of relative obscurity, it has experienced a resurgence, possibly aided by its gold medal at Le Monde Selection in Brussels.
Carta Blanca: Technically a pilsner, Carta Blanca is one of Mexico’s oldest mexican beer brands, first brewed in 1890 by Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc. It has won numerous international awards for taste and quality, solidifying its legacy in the mexican beer tradition.

Beyond the Bottle: Experiencing the Michelada

To truly experience mexican beer culture, one must explore the Michelada. This iconic mexican beer cocktail combines beer with lime juice and often includes spicy sauces such as Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or soy sauce. The name “michelada” originates from the Mexican slang term for beer, “chelada,” combined with “mi” (my) and “helada” (iced), translating to “my cold beer.”

Ordering a Michelada typically brings an iced, salt-rimmed glass containing lime juice, sometimes with added sauces. Regional variations exist, but generally, a “michelada” implies lime juice only, while a “michelada preparada” includes sauces. The beer is usually served separately, allowing drinkers to customize their Michelada to taste.

In conclusion, mexican beer is more than just a beverage; it’s a reflection of Mexico’s history, culture, and evolving tastes. From its ancient roots to its global prominence, mexican beer offers a diverse and rich landscape for exploration and enjoyment. Whether you prefer a classic lager, a robust dark beer, or a zesty Michelada, the world of mexican beer has something to offer every palate.