Beers from Mexico
Mexico is renowned for its vibrant beer culture, producing some of the world’s most popular and widely consumed beers. The country’s brewing history is deeply rooted in European influences, particularly from Germany and Austria, but over time, it has developed a distinctive identity. Mexican beers are known for their refreshing qualities, often paired with a lime, and their perfect compatibility with the country’s warm climate and spicy cuisine. From light, crisp lagers to bolder styles, Mexican beer offers something for every palate.
Types of Mexican Beers
Lager
Lager is by far the most dominant beer style in Mexico, characterised by its light body, mild flavour, and refreshing qualities. These beers are often served with a wedge of lime, adding a zesty freshness that complements the smooth, easy-drinking nature of the lager. Popular examples include:
Corona Extra: Perhaps the most globally recognised Mexican beer, Corona Extra is a pale lager with a crisp, light flavour. Its mild malt sweetness and very low bitterness make it an easy and refreshing drink, especially when served with a slice of lime. It is a popular summer beer and is widely available across the UK.
Sol: Another well-known pale lager, Sol is light, crisp, and slightly sweet, with a subtle hop presence. It is often compared to Corona but offers a slightly lighter body, making it a perfect beer for hot weather.
Modelo Especial: A fuller-bodied lager compared to Corona or Sol, Modelo Especial has a richer malt flavour with a smooth finish. It has a slight sweetness balanced by mild bitterness, providing more depth and complexity without sacrificing its refreshing qualities.
Dark Lager
Mexican dark lagers, or cervezas oscuras, are inspired by the Vienna lager style, introduced by Austrian immigrants in the 19th century. These beers have a deeper malt profile, with caramel and roasted notes, making them richer and more complex than their pale counterparts. Examples include:
Negra Modelo: Often referred to as the “cream of beers,” Negra Modelo is a smooth and malty dark lager with notes of caramel, chocolate, and a hint of nuttiness. Its rich, roasted malt flavour is balanced by a light hop bitterness, making it both refreshing and flavourful. This beer pairs particularly well with hearty Mexican dishes.
Dos Equis Amber: This amber lager has a medium body and a toasty malt flavour with hints of caramel and light spiciness from the hops. It is well-balanced, offering a richer taste without being too heavy, making it a great choice for those who want more depth than a pale lager.
Pale Ale and IPA
The rise of craft beer in Mexico has led to an increase in more experimental and flavourful styles, including pale ales and IPAs. These beers are known for their hop-forward profiles, with bold citrus, pine, and floral notes. Notable examples from Mexican craft breweries include:
Minerva Pale Ale: Brewed by Cervecería Minerva, this pale ale features a balanced malt sweetness and a pronounced hop bitterness with notes of citrus and tropical fruit. It represents the growing trend of craft beer in Mexico, where more breweries are experimenting with bolder, more complex flavours.
Cucapá IPA: One of Mexico’s premier craft IPAs, Cucapá IPA delivers a punch of hoppy bitterness with flavours of grapefruit, pine, and tropical fruits. It has a solid malt backbone that balances the strong hop character, making it an enjoyable beer for IPA lovers.
Wheat Beer
Wheat beers are another style growing in popularity in Mexico, often brewed with a focus on refreshing, fruity, and spicy flavours. These beers tend to have a lighter body and are perfect for hot weather.
Wendlandt Veraniega: A Mexican take on the Belgian-style wheat beer, Veraniega has notes of orange peel, coriander, and a slight spiciness that complements its smooth, creamy texture. It’s a perfect beer for summer, with its light and refreshing qualities.
Flavours of Mexican Beers
Crisp and Light
Most Mexican lagers, such as Corona Extra and Sol, are known for their crisp, light bodies and subtle flavours. These beers are highly carbonated, with a slight malt sweetness and little to no bitterness. Their refreshing qualities make them perfect for hot climates and pairing with Mexican cuisine, especially when garnished with a lime wedge.
Rich and Malty
Mexican dark lagers, like Negra Modelo and Dos Equis Amber, offer a richer and maltier flavour profile, with notes of caramel, chocolate, and toasted grains. These beers have more complexity but still maintain a smooth, easy-drinking quality.
Bold and Hoppy
Mexican craft beers, particularly pale ales and IPAs, deliver bold, hoppy flavours. With prominent notes of citrus, pine, and tropical fruits, these beers represent a departure from the traditional light lagers, catering to beer drinkers who prefer more intensity and complexity.
Mexican Beers Available in the UK
Several popular Mexican beers are readily available in the UK, particularly in supermarkets, restaurants, and bars. Corona Extra, Sol, and Modelo Especial are some of the most commonly found beers, enjoyed for their light, refreshing nature. For those seeking something with more depth, Negra Modelo and Dos Equis Amber are often available at specialist retailers and Mexican-themed restaurants.
The craft beer scene in Mexico is still growing, and while some craft brews like Cucapá IPA and Minerva Pale Ale are occasionally available through niche beer retailers or online, they are less widely distributed compared to the mass-produced lagers.
Conclusion
Mexican beer offers a diverse range of styles, from light, crisp lagers to rich, malty dark lagers and bold, hoppy craft beers. The refreshing nature of most Mexican lagers makes them ideal for hot weather, while the growing craft beer movement is introducing more complex and experimental flavours. Whether you are enjoying a cold Corona Extra with lime or exploring the bold flavours of a craft pale ale, Mexican beer provides a wide variety of tastes for every beer enthusiast. The availability of popular Mexican beers in the UK allows British beer lovers to experience the best of what Mexico has to offer, from the easy-drinking lagers to the more complex craft offerings.
