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Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy-
Benjamin Franklin
The smell of coconut suntan lotion surrounds your senses as the warm Caribbean sun makes your skin tingle. A beautiful white sand beach and blue turquoise ocean sprawls in front of you as you take a sip of that chilled light bodied pale lager.
Although this is the image we have come to associate with Mexican beer, there’s more than meets the eye … and more to fill your taste buds.
Mexican Beer: Yesterday and Today
Beer around the world and in Mexico has a long history. Even before the Spaniards arrived, Mesoamerican cultures were familiarized with fermented alcoholic beverages.
As for today, there are two major brewing companies in Mexico: Grupo Modelo and Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma.
Grupo Modelo is the biggest brewing company in Mexico and is based in Mexico City. Their brands include Tecate, Sol, Dos Equis, Carta Blanca, Superior, Indio, Bohemia and Noche Buena.
Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma is the older of the two companies and is based in Monterrey, with breweries in several other cities throughout Mexico. Their brands include Corona, Corona Light, Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial, Victoria, Estrella, Leon, Montejo and Pacifico.
Beer: In Numbers
Mexico ranks third in global exports of beer. The Mexican beer industry is one of the country’s most prolific economies with 63 percent of the domestic population consuming one or more of the brands. The Mexican beer industry employs 90,000 people and 800,000 jobs indirectly.
Corona—flagship beer of Grupo Modelo—is one of the five most consumed beers in the world, available in more than 150 countries. Corona is the best known and most popular beer in the United States. It is also the best selling non-domestic beer in both the U.S. and U.K.
Both Grupo Modelo and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc combined have seventeen plants located throughout eleven states with a capacity of 46 million hectoliters annually. The breweries support 92 centers of barley production in Mexico.
Grupo Modelo and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc send more than 80 percent of its exports to the United States. Mexico displaced Holland in 2003 as the worldwide leader in beer sales by volume, selling 1.39 metric tons, with sales, primarily to the U.S. continuing to increase.
Drinking Habits in Mexico
Whether the beer is dark and strong or light and mild, Mexican beer is meant to be drunk cold.
Most beer in Mexico is sold in 325ml bottles called "medias," with some popular brands selling their products in aluminum cans. In some cases, Mexico sells bottled beer in returnable bottles, the deposit can be almost the price of the beer itself.
Another important part of Mexican beer culture is the “caguama.” This slang term refers to beer bottled in large bottles of 925 or 940ml. This type of bottle was first introduced in Mexico in 1960 along with the six-pack and is only available on certain brands of beer. The six-pack in Mexico is referred to as a "six." Very little beer in Mexico is served on tap.
Although the lime-wedge is not common in other parts of Mexico besides the sunny beach towns, beer in Mexico does often come in cocktail. This beer cocktail is called a michelada. It consists of a light beer with a generous quantity of lime juice, salt and can include chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or tomato juice. Another, less common version of the drink adds Clamato (clam/tomato juice). The name "michelada" comes from the phrase "mi chela helada" (my beer, ice cold).
Beer in the Yucatan
The Leon and Montejo brands were originally brewed in Merida, Yucatan. Leon is a Munich-style dark beer, which was initially brewed at the beginning of the 20th century in the southeast of the country. Montejo was first introduced in 1960 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Yucateca brewery. This local brewery was bought by Modelo in 1979 and its packaging changed in the 90s.
Pamela´s Top 5 Beer Picks
1. Pacifico
It was born in Mazatlan, in the northeastern coast of Mexico in 1900. This light and highly refreshing pilsner is one of the top Mexican exported beers today.
2. Victoria
One of the most traditional and old beers in Mexico. Under the tagline: “The beer of Mexico,” it was first brewed in 1865. This pilsner-Vienna beer has an amber color and a unique taste that makes it favorite among locals and tourists.
3. Corona
Corona beer is the Mexican celebrity. It’s sold in 159 countries in the 5 continents and it’s one of the top selling beers in the world. With a mild flavor and a very light color, this pilsner is one of those you have to try.
4. Noche Buena
It took its name from the Mexican traditional Christmas flower, Nochebuena (known as the Poinsettia in US & Canada). Exquisite bock beer (strong body, malty taste with some caramel and chocolate in it) that you can only find it from mid-October to January.
5. Montejo
Pilsner type beer, light but with an exquisite taste. If you visit Yucatan, is definitely one of the beers you want to try.
Which one is YOUR favorite Mexican beer? We want to know! Please leave your Mexican beer picks in the comments below.
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About the Author
Pamela Acosta is a travel photographer, beer drinker and writer for Yucatan Holidays. She is seeking to travel throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya & Cancun in an attempt to capture beauty and wonder in words & pixels. Follow Pamela on Twitter.
COMMENTS
11 Responses to “Mexican Beer 101| Beyond Corona”
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Mark
Great article Pamela! One of my faves is Sol. I was happy to find it here in San Francisco, but it’s not the same as having it in the Yucatan on one of your lovely beaches! Salud!
Yucatan Holidays
Thank you Mark for sharing your favorite with us and for your kind comments. Your Sol is on us next time you visit!
TravelDesigned
You know I am a tequila drinker 🙂
But, Terry says his favorite is Dos Equis. I think he likes it because he can pronounce it– jejeje!
Yucatan Holidays
I know you are more a tequila drinker! 😉 Did you read the one on tequila? Tequila: What you didn’t learn in college Tell Terry that Dos Equis is one of my favorites too! But you know, those where the Pamela´s picks! 🙂 See you soon Stephanie!
Christina
My favorites are Victoria and Barrilito of the Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc brewing company and Noche Buena (of course)!
Nice article! Now I’m craving a brewsky and it’s still early in the day. I guess it will have to wait… =)
Kay
Salud! A great article. I am not a big beer drinker but there are a few occasions when a beer is perfect. I love Pacifico and Barrill! Bien fria por favor.
Craig Zabransky
Excellent choice at number 1 – Pacifico is the best, but Modelo Especial needs to make the top 5 in my book.
Also, the Michelada… a true gem. Both an afternoon delightl and the perfect hangover cure. (No mas tengo crudo despues)
se adventurero,
Craig
Linda Lou
I love Yucatan Holidays Giveaways!
The Mexican
Seems that you don’t know anything about Mexican Beers, those you list there are the worst (the most commercial) but worst beers, you should try Cucapá Brewing Company it’s a MicroBrew founded in Mexicali (border with California), They are the best rated mexican beer find it in rate beer dot com (look for country mexico) they have IPA’s, Pale Ales, Imperial Stouts, all their beers are over the Ale Beers. you can buy them in Bevmo, here are some of their beers. www cucapa dot com slash sellsheet_eng.pdf
Norberto Feliciano
From brewer Grupo Modelo, maker of Corona, my favorite is NEGRA MODELO. From brewer Cerveceria Cuahtemoc Montezuma, maker of Dos XX, my favorite is BOHEMIA. I could drink NOCHEBUENA all year round if it was available, but as you know… it is only seasonal.
Pamela Acosta
Norberto, excellent choices! I couldn´t agree more. I´m definitely a dark-beer drinker. 🙂 Thanks for visiting our page!