Nuestra Cerveza es Buena, Pero no Beber el Agua...

Once again, history will tell us that it was the work of the Europeans (more specificially, the Spanish) that brought beer as we know it to "less fortunate" parts of the world. However, beer had a long history in Mexico before the Euros arrived. Corn and rice were used in place of malted grains (as the Mesoamericans didn't know what that stuff was yet) in the process of fermenting alcoholic beverages. Some pre-Spanish Conquest Mexican drinks also used tabasco as an ingredient. When Hernan Cortes politely made his appearance among the Aztecs in the 16th century, modern beer brewed with barley was introduced, though in limited quantities since there were no real supplies of grain. Strict taxes were levied against the Mexican beer industry and remained in place until Mexico gained their independence in 1821. Some immigrants came over from Germany and started opening up new kinds of breweries all over the country, and by 1918, there were three dozen different brewing companies in Mexico.

Since then, the consolidation of the industry reduced the amount to two large corporations: Cerveceria Modelo, and Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma/Fomento Economico Mexicano, SAB de CV (FEMSA), which combined control a total 90% of the Mexican beer market. With the exception of some dark lagers, Pilsners nearly represent the entire Mexican brewing industry. Notable examples include Corona being the flagship beer of Modelo and the best selling beer in Mexico, and Dos Equis being Moctezuma/FEMSA's best selling brew. Fun fact: most bottled beer sold in Mexico utilizes an expansive recycling program that reuses the actual bottle (most have deposits equal to the price of the beer per se). Placing a wedge of lime in Mexican lager is an American fabrication. The practice is only demonstrated by Mexicans within major tourist destinations such as Cancun. And although the Mexicans take their beer seriously, almost none of it is available on tap... shame, really.

Salud.

Rated Mexican Beers


11-07-15 - Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma Dos Equis Amber - 2.40, Vienna Lager, 4.70%
11-07-15 - Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma Tecate Light - 1.92, Mexican Light Lager, 3.70%
4-12-13 - Cerveceria Modelo Modelo Especial - 2.20, Mexican Adjunct Lager, 4.40%
4-12-13 - Cerveceria Modelo Cerveza Pacifico Clara - 2.56, Mexican Adjunct Lager, 4.50%
4-12-13 - Cerveceria Modelo Negro Modelo - 2.62, Mexican Dunkel Lager, 5.40%
Date Expurgated - Cerveceria Modelo Corona Extra - 1.53, Pale Lager, 4.60%
Date Expurgated - Cerveceria Modelo Corona Light - 1.34, Pale Lager, 4.50%
Date Expurgated - Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma Brewery Tecate - 2.45, Lager, 4.40%
Date Expurgated - Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma Brewery Dos Equis XX - 2.14, Lager, 4.80%

Popular Beer Styles in Mexico

  • Pale Lager
  • Pilsner
  • Dark Lager

    • Mexican Breweries with Rated Beer

  • Cerveceria Modelo - Mexico City, Mexico
  • Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma Brewery - Monterrey, Mexico