Popular Mexican Beer Styles
Lagers: The Heart of Mexican Brewing
Lagers dominate the Mexican beer market, known for their light, crisp, and refreshing qualities. These beers are often enjoyed with a wedge of lime, which enhances their crispness and adds a zesty twist.
Corona Extra is perhaps the most iconic Mexican beer globally. This pale lager is light in colour with a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a very clean finish. The low bitterness makes it incredibly easy to drink, especially on a hot day. In the UK, Corona is one of the most popular imported beers, often served with a lime wedge in the neck of the bottle to enhance its refreshing qualities.
Modelo Especial is another well-known Mexican lager, offering a richer flavour profile compared to Corona. It has a slightly fuller body, with a balance of malt sweetness and mild hop bitterness, resulting in a smooth and satisfying finish. Modelo Especial is available in the UK and is appreciated for its quality and versatility, pairing well with a variety of foods.
Sol is another popular pale lager, similar in style to Corona but with a slightly lighter body and a more pronounced citrus note. It’s a crisp and refreshing beer that is also often enjoyed with a slice of lime. In the UK, Sol is widely available and is favoured for its bright, refreshing taste.
Dark Lagers: A Richer Experience
While pale lagers are the most common, Mexico also produces some excellent dark lagers that offer a deeper, richer flavour. These beers, known as Vienna lagers, are influenced by European brewing traditions and have a more complex malt character.
Negra Modelo is a prime example of a Mexican dark lager. It has a deep amber colour and a flavour profile that includes caramel, roasted malt, and a hint of nuttiness. The bitterness is mild, allowing the malt flavours to take centre stage. Negra Modelo is smooth and slightly sweet, making it a great accompaniment to heartier dishes. In the UK, Negra Modelo is available in many stores and restaurants, where it is appreciated for its rich, malty character.
Dos Equis Amber is another popular dark lager, with a balanced flavour that features toasty malt notes, a touch of caramel, and a clean finish. It’s slightly less sweet than Negra Modelo, offering a more balanced and versatile taste. Dos Equis Amber is available in the UK, often found in speciality beer shops and restaurants serving Mexican cuisine.
Specialty and Craft Beers: Innovation in Mexican Brewing
In recent years, Mexico’s craft beer scene has blossomed, with many small breweries experimenting with traditional and innovative styles. These craft beers often incorporate local ingredients and flavours, offering a unique take on the country’s brewing heritage.
Pacifico Clara is a popular specialty beer from the Pacific coast of Mexico, offering a crisp, light-bodied flavour with a hint of malt sweetness and a clean finish. It’s a smooth, easy-drinking beer that’s perfect for a hot day, and while not as widely available as Corona, it can still be found in select UK stores and restaurants.
Minerva is one of Mexico’s leading craft breweries, known for its range of innovative beers that push the boundaries of traditional Mexican brewing. Their Minerva Pale Ale is a standout, offering a balanced hop bitterness with notes of citrus and pine, alongside a malty backbone that adds depth to the flavour. Although not yet widely available in the UK, Minerva’s beers are gaining recognition among craft beer enthusiasts who seek out unique and high-quality brews.
Mexican Beers in the UK
In the UK, Mexican beers like Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, and Sol are widely available in supermarkets, bars, and restaurants. These beers are popular for their light, refreshing qualities, making them a perfect choice for casual drinking or pairing with food, especially Mexican cuisine.
Negra Modelo and Dos Equis Amber are also available in the UK, offering a richer, more complex flavour profile for those who enjoy darker beers. As the interest in craft beer continues to grow, there is increasing curiosity about Mexico’s burgeoning craft beer scene, and more of these unique offerings are likely to make their way to the UK market.
Whether you’re enjoying a crisp lager on a sunny day or savouring a rich dark lager with a meal, Mexican beers offer a diverse range of flavours and styles that reflect the country’s brewing expertise and cultural heritage. As they continue to grow in popularity in the UK, Mexican beers are sure to find a permanent place in the hearts of British beer enthusiasts.
