Mexico is globally recognized for its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and, increasingly, its exceptional beers. As one of the world’s leading beer-producing nations, Mexico boasts a rich brewing heritage that blends ancient traditions with European influences. This guide delves into the fascinating story of Mexican Beers, exploring their history, the major breweries that shape the market, the diverse types available, and the iconic brands that have captured hearts worldwide.
A Rich History of Mexican Beer
The story of mexican beers is a journey through time, from pre-Hispanic fermented beverages to the modern, globally exported lagers we know today.
Ancient Roots: Beer Before the Spanish
Long before the arrival of Europeans, indigenous civilizations in Mexico were skilled in crafting alcoholic drinks. They fermented plants and corn, creating beverages for ritualistic and social purposes. The most notable of these is pulque, a drink still enjoyed in Mexico. Pulque is made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant, resulting in a thick, milky, and potent concoction. In Aztec society, pulque held sacred status and was primarily reserved for the elite. Following the Spanish conquest, pulque transitioned into a more secular drink, with its consumption becoming widespread across different social classes.
Spanish Influence and Early Challenges
The Spanish conquistadors introduced European-style beer to Mexico, bringing with them barley and wheat. However, early beer production faced limitations, largely due to the scarcity of suitable grains in the new colony. The first official permission to brew European-style mexican beers was granted by Spanish authorities in the mid-16th century. Despite efforts to cultivate more barley locally and reduce costs, the burgeoning industry was hampered by stringent regulations and heavy taxation imposed by Spain. These policies favored imported beverages from Europe, effectively stifling the growth of locally produced mexican beers and wines.
The Rise of Mexican Beer Post-Independence
Mexico’s War of Independence marked a turning point for mexican beer production. Freed from oppressive European regulations and taxes, the industry began to flourish. The latter half of the 19th century witnessed an influx of German immigrants, who brought with them valuable brewing knowledge and expertise. This influx led to diversification and significant improvements in the quality of mexican beers. By the early 20th century, beer had become a significant industry in Mexico. Furthermore, Prohibition in the United States created a lucrative cross-border trade in beer and other alcoholic beverages, further boosting the mexican beer industry, particularly in border towns.
Image: A vibrant assortment of bottled mexican beers, showcasing the diverse range of brands and styles available in Mexico.
The Modern Mexican Beer Landscape
The landscape of mexican beers today is dominated by a few major players, but also includes a growing craft beer scene.
Consolidation and the “Big Two”
By the end of the Mexican Revolution, over thirty-five breweries were operating in Mexico. The early 1920s saw the beginning of industry consolidation, a process that shaped the mexican beer market into what we see today. Smaller breweries were largely absorbed by two emerging giants: Grupo Modelo and Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc-Moctezuma. These two companies became the dominant forces in the mexican beer market, streamlining production and distribution. Successful mexican beers were mass-produced and distributed nationally or regionally, while less popular brands disappeared. Smaller breweries that remained independent struggled to compete with the economies of scale achieved through consolidation.
Market Leaders: Grupo Modelo and Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc-Moctezuma
Today, the mexican beer market is primarily controlled by these “big two” corporations: Grupo Modelo (now owned by AB InBev) and Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma (now Heineken Mexico). Together, they account for over 90% of all beer sales in Mexico. Mexico has surpassed the Netherlands to become the world’s leading beer exporter, driven significantly by exports to the United States.
Domestic mexican beer sales are substantial, exceeding six billion U.S. dollars annually, with exports contributing around 2.2 billion U.S. dollars. These major brewers operate seventeen brewing plants across eleven states and support a vast network of over ninety barley-producing centers throughout the country. They also manage sophisticated retail distribution networks, ensuring their branded mexican beers reach every corner of the nation, even remote towns and villages. The mexican beer industry is a major employer, directly employing over 90,000 people in Mexico and indirectly supporting a further 800,000 jobs.
The Craft Beer Scene: Mexican Microbreweries
While not as widespread as in the U.S. or Europe, a craft beer scene is emerging in Mexico. Small, independent microbreweries are gradually gaining traction, offering alternatives to the mass-produced lagers of the major corporations. Examples of mexican microbreweries include Cerveceria San Angel and Cerveceria Santa Fe Beer Factory in Mexico City, Pepe and Joe’s in Mazatlan, and Beer Lounge in Guadalajara. These breweries often focus on producing ales, in contrast to the lagers and pilsners that dominate the mainstream mexican beer market. Increasingly, higher-quality bars and bistros in Mexico are starting to stock local and artisan ales, helping to raise the profile and recognition of these mexican microbreweries.
Image: A detailed shot of a bottle of Corona Extra, a globally recognized mexican beer brand, highlighting its iconic branding and light lager style.
Exploring Types and Brands of Mexican Beer
The majority of mexican beers are lagers, pilsners, and Vienna-style beers, both light and dark, as well as Munich dark beers. Microbreweries contribute a smaller selection of ales. To experience mexican ales, visiting a good bar or bistro is recommended.
Beers from the major breweries are distributed either nationally or regionally. With over 90% of the market share, understanding the principal products and brands of the “big two” provides a comprehensive overview of mexican beers.
Grupo Modelo’s Flagship Mexican Beers
- Corona Extra: A light lager pilsner, Corona Extra is the top-selling mexican beer internationally, exported to 159 countries. It is the best-selling non-domestic beer in the U.S. and the U.K. This light, refreshing beer has a mild flavor with a subtle hop bitterness. Approximately 4.5 billion liters of Corona are produced annually.
- Corona Light: Introduced in 1989, Corona Light was Grupo Modelo’s first low-calorie beer. It aims to maintain the traditional Corona taste but with 30% fewer calories.
- Negra Modelo: Known in Mexico as the “cream of beers,” Negra Modelo is a dark, smooth Munich-dunkel style beer. One of Modelo’s original brews, it was initially only available on draft. Today, Negra Modelo is widely available in bottles nationwide.
- Modelo Especial: The first brand produced by Modelo in 1925, Modelo Especial remains a favorite among Mexican consumers and is the second best-selling mexican beer in Mexico. Described as a Pilsner lager, it has a slightly richer and fuller flavor than Corona. A light version was launched in 1994.
- Victoria: Described as a Pilsner-Vienna type beer, Victoria has been brewed since 1865. It became part of the Modelo group in 1935. This mexican beer has a distinctive amber color and a balanced blend of light pilsner and dark beer characteristics.
- Leon & Montejo: Originally from Merida, Yucatan, Leon and Montejo are regional mexican beers that became nationally available after Modelo acquired the brewery in the late 1970s. Leon is a Munich dark amber, full-bodied beer, while Montejo is a light pilsner.
- Pacifico: A refreshing pilsner-style mexican beer originally brewed in Mazatlan. It is Grupo Modelo’s leading brand in northeastern Mexico and has been exported to the U.S. since 1985. A light version was introduced in 2008.
- Barrilito: Meaning “little barrel,” Barrilito is a light, refreshing mexican beer in the pilsner category.
Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma’s Key Mexican Beers
- Sol: A light and flavorful lager, Sol was initially marketed towards the working class. Re-launched in 1993 after a hiatus, Sol is now exported to Asia, Europe, and South America and is a popular mexican beer globally.
- Tecate: Originally brewed in Tecate, Baja California, Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc acquired the regional brewery in 1954 and made Tecate a nationwide brand. This medium-bodied lager has a distinctive, strong taste. Tecate was the first mexican beer sold in cans and has won international awards.
- Tecate Light: A low-calorie version of Tecate, Tecate Light debuted in 1992 as the first low-calorie mexican beer on the market, maintaining the Tecate flavor with fewer calories.
- Dos Equis (XX) Ambar & Dos Equis (XX) Lager: Dos Equis Ambar, a Vienna-style dark beer, was first brewed in 1897. It was Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc’s best-selling brand for decades and remains a popular dark mexican beer, especially in the U.S. Dos Equis Lager is a light lager version, widely enjoyed in both Mexico and the United States.
- Bohemia: Competing with Modelo Especial, Bohemia is a rich, light lager and one of Mexico’s oldest mexican beer brands, recognized internationally for its quality. It features a noticeable hops flavor and is a relatively dense beer despite its clarity. Bohemia Obscura is a dark version, and Bohemia Weizen, a wheat beer with coriander and orange peel, was introduced in 2009 as the first wheat-based beer from a major mexican brewery.
- Noche Buena: A seasonal mexican beer available from October to December, Noche Buena (“Christmas Eve”) is a dark, flavorful, and rich beer highly anticipated each year.
- Indio: A smooth, dark mexican beer produced since 1905. Originally named Cuauhtemoc, it was renamed Indio due to popular demand. It is known for being refreshing in warm weather and warming in cooler climates.
- Sol 2: Launched in 2007, Sol 2 is a medium-bodied light mexican beer with a more pronounced flavor than Sol.
- Sol Cero: Mexico’s first non-alcoholic beer, Sol Cero aims to retain the flavor of Sol but with fewer carbohydrates and no alcohol.
- Sol Limon y Sal: A pre-mixed mexican beer with lime and salt, Sol Limon y Sal caters to those who enjoy this traditional way of drinking beer in Mexico.
- Sol Cero Limon y Sal: The non-alcoholic version of Sol Limon y Sal.
- Superior: A light mexican beer that has been popular for over fifty years, Superior was originally brewed as a premium product and is experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
- Carta Blanca: Technically a pilsner, Carta Blanca is one of Mexico’s oldest mexican beer brands, first brewed in 1890, and has received numerous international awards.
Image: A refreshing Michelada, a popular mexican beer cocktail, served in a salt-rimmed glass and garnished with lime, showcasing a unique way to enjoy mexican beers.
Experiencing Mexican Beer Culture: The Michelada
No exploration of mexican beers is complete without mentioning the michelada. This popular mexican beer cocktail is made by mixing beer with lime juice, and often spicy sauces such as Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or soy sauce. The name “michelada” comes from the Mexican slang term for beer, “chelada,” combined with “mi” (my) and “helada” (iced), essentially meaning “my cold beer.”
Ordering a michelada will typically get you an iced, salt-rimmed glass containing lime juice, sometimes with a selection of sauces already added. Regional variations exist, and asking for a “michelada preparada” often specifies the inclusion of sauces in addition to lime juice. Regardless of the specific preparation, the beer is usually served separately, allowing you to customize your michelada to your preference.
Conclusion
From its ancient origins to its current status as a global beer powerhouse, Mexico offers a diverse and fascinating world of mexican beers. Whether you prefer a light and refreshing lager like Corona, a rich dark beer like Negra Modelo, or the spicy kick of a michelada, there’s a mexican beer to suit every taste. Exploring the history, types, and brands of mexican beers provides a deeper appreciation for Mexico’s brewing heritage and its contribution to the global beer landscape. So, next time you’re looking for a flavorful and refreshing beer, consider reaching for a mexican beer and discover the taste of Mexico.
