Hola homies! It’s your girl, Bernie, author of Herencia Cookbook, full of authentic SalviMex recipes with a modern (and sometimes healthy-ish) twist. In today’s post, I will answer the question: what are the top ten Mexican beers, ranked? Please note, this article is not sponsored in any way. These opinions are my own. I am a Los Angeles Latina who loves herself a good Mexican beer every now and then. Read on for my top ten favorite Mexican beers, and enjoy some fun facts about them and tips on how to best savor their unique flavors!
What Are The Top Ten Mexican Beers, Ranked?
10. Tecate
I know Tecate is not the most popular beer out there. In fact, several of my homies clown on Tecate! But let me tell you something: Once, I visited my Dad’s hometown with him, just us two. I was barely 21. Old enough to drink, but still young enough where I didn’t have compromisos. My dad and I sat on the porch of his uncle’s house and drank Tecates under the full moon. My pops said something like, “it feels good to come back to the motherland. When I left, I looked up at the moon and wondered what my life would be like after I left. I never imagined one day I’d have a daughter who would come back here with me and join me for a drink under the same full moon.” I don’t know if it was the moment, the nostalgia, or what, but now Tecates always taste better to me IN Mexico.
So my tip? If you are ever in Mexico, please taste a Tecate and let me know if it does indeed taste better over there! My tip is to enjoy this beer in Mexico if you have the chance to visit, or with your loved ones as you create memories.
9. Sol Cerverza
This lager has some controversy regarding if it’s actually delicious or not, according to this source. I personally think it is a delicious beer and enjoy a Sol every now and then, however. I first tried it because the color really does look like sunshine in a bottle so I figured why not? Since then, I’ve discovered my favorite way to enjoy a Sol is with a saladito candy put inside the bottle. Something about the saladito brings out the citrus notes from the beer so much! My favorite way to enjoy it is during a night in on the couch with bae, maybe with some King Taco take out.
8. Victoria
Victoria Cerveza is a lager style beer that is enjoyable to drink, which is why it made it to this list. It is actually a Vienna style beer that is brewed in Mexico. Quick history lesson: The Emperor Maximiliano of Austria ruled over Mexico during the second Mexican Empire, during the 1830s, thanks to an agreement Max made with Napoleon. Say what? According to Total Wine, “ Vienna Lagers from Mexico, where Austrian immigrants introduced the style in the late 1800s, are still widely available .” Think of that fun fact next time you are enjoying this Mexican beer with Austrian influence with friends. BRB – having flashbacks to my German Beer Micheladas at Oktoberfest last fall. But really, you can enjoy Victoria on its own, ice-cold, with a wedge of lemon and some beer salt.
7. Pacifico
There is no escaping the influence of Austrian and German culture on Mexican beer! Did you know a lot of Germans migrated to Mexico during the mid to late 19th century? Did polka influence banda? That is for you to decide. One thing is for certain, Germans (and Austrians) definitely influenced Mexican beer! Pacifico was originally brewed in 1899 by 3 Germans who emigrated to Mazatlan. This also makes me recall how Frida Kahlo’s father was a German immigrant in Mexico. I wonder if Don Kahlo ever enjoyed a Pacifico himself… Either way, my favorite way to enjoy a Pacifico is with a tiny squeeze of lime juice in order to have the perfect mix of the faintest notes of sweet and sour.
6. Dos Equis
Hilarious commercials and marketing aside, what makes this lager stand out is its smooth taste. For instance, if you are normally a fan of beers like Stella Artois or Heineken, you may very well enjoy drinking a cold Dos Equis. Fun fact- Dos Equis and Heineken are produced by the same company. Enjoy this beer straight from the bottle with your homies at the next get-together, and savor the sweet flavor. Simply put, this is a beer that is easy and fun to drink on its own! For those reasons, you can drink it all afternoon long with your compitas.
5. Bohemia
This is a pilsner-style beer that is a bit malty and quite robust. This will definitely be more complex than some of the other lighter beers on this list. If you are into complexity, you should give this beer a try, if you haven’t yet. Enjoy this beer ice-cold, perhaps with some chips and salsa. Really take your time to focus on the beer to enjoy its flavor notes!
4. Modelo Especial
Modelo Especial is a crisp and refreshing Pilsner beer. It is so delicious, that it is actually the second most imported beer in the US (source). This beer’s name literally translates to “special model,” and with good reason. It is light and flavorful at the same time. My favorite way to enjoy this “special model” is in a designated beer glass, with chamoy and tajin on the rim.
3. El Chango
This is actually a Mexican-American style lager beer brewed out of Fullerton, but it is too good to not make it to this list of top ten Mexican beers! It is brewed by this company. I saw this one evening at Total Wine and am so grateful I did not pass it up. My husband and I wanted to enjoy a good beer, some pizza, and a movie that evening. We picked up different beers to taste and this one left the greatest impression on us. To me, it has a serious citrusy lime flavor. It is so tangy one it’s own! (Who needs a lime garnish when you have this?) Enjoy it extra cold with something spicy like a pizza topped with pepperoni and jalapenos. I promise you will not be disappointed!
2. Estrella Jalisco
If you write an article about Mexican beers and do not mention micheladas, then did you even write an article about Mexican beers?? Estrella Jalisco is a pilsner beer with a light and refreshing flavor. My absolute favorite way to enjoy an Estrella Jalisco is (you guessed it) in a michelada… at the Dodger’s Stadium! Something about this beer makes it pair so well with that delicious Dodger Michelada mix! Enjoy it with some nachos and a Dodger Dog and you are set! You will be a happy camper and enjoy an authentic experience. Can’t make it to the Dodger Stadium? Make your own michelada at home with some clamato, chamoy, and tajin! You can also simply pour the beer in a Don Chelada Cup. If micheladas are not your thing, this beer is still amazingly delicious on its own or with a wedge of lime.
1. Negra Modelo
Modelo is so nice, it had to be on this list twice. When drinking a Negra Modelo, be ready to say hello to flavor. I remember the first time I drank a Negra Modelo was at lunch with my homegirls. We were enjoying mariscos and beers. I typically enjoy a Modelo Especial, and I like dark beers, so I figured I’d give Negra Modelo a try! I quickly noticed the difference in flavor. This Mexican beer is so full of robust flavor, without being bitter or overpowering, that it made it to the top of the list! Keep in mind: the best way to enjoy this beer, and all the rest of the beers on this list, is responsibly, and in moderation.
Learn how to make a michelada recipe with your favorite Mexican beer.
Conclusion:
What is your favorite Mexican beer? Did it make it to our list of top ten Mexican beers? Did we totally miss something? Here, at Herencia Cookbook, we would love to know! So hit us up in the comments. Finally, are you interested in learning some traditional Mexican recipes to accompany your favorite Mexican beer? Then, be sure to check out my blog and Herencia Cookbook, which is full of authentic SalviMex recipes with a modern (and sometimes healthy-ish) twist. Until next time, salud! Herencia Cookbook is currently available for sale on Amazon.
