Top Mexican Beers for Cinco de Mayo

Cerveza Tecate

One of the more popular Mexican imported beers, Tecate, is a pale lager named after Tecate, in Baja California, Mexico. Tecate is usually found in aluminum cans, but don’t let that deter you because the dark can is actually better for beer than a clear glass bottle. This lager is a very crisp and refreshing beer that pairs perfectly with the spice of Mexican food. Drink Tecate ice cold on a hot day for the ultimate Mexican experience. Some say serving a lime with Tecate is a must while others say it is taboo. Either way, a cold refreshing Tecate should be a Cinco de Mayo staple.

Sol

In Spanish, sol means sun, and drinking a Sol beer on a hot sunny day is one of the best options out there. Served ice cold, Sol is a smooth and full flavored lager that embodies everything that Mexican beer is known for. This very light colored beer is generally not too strong with 4.5% alcohol by volume. The lime debate rages here also, with some people loving the lime and some despising it but with or without lime, Sol offers a very clean and crisp taste on those hot days of summer.

Carta Blanca

You may have never heard of this beer, but look around and you will find it. This is a very light lager that compares very closely to Bud or Corona but with a cleaner and lighter flavor. Carta Blanca is a very pale yellow and really hits the spot on a hot sunny day. The initial flavor may come off as bland, but the smoothness and crispness really pack a punch. It also pairs very well with Mexican food because of its crisp and clean taste. This beer is relatively cheap so you can stock up for not a lot of money.

Negra Modelo

You’ve probably seen this beer before…it comes in a short wide brown bottle. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the time. This classic Mexican beer is dark brown in color and has a nutty aroma and slightly sweet and hoppy taste. No lime is needed for this beer as it has a rich flavor all its own. The quality of this lager can be compared with German style beers and has a unique robust and complex character. Negra Modelo can sometimes have a bitter aftertaste but is quickly dispelled when you twist open your next bottle. It is also a great beer to marinate meat in or create sauces with. Negra Modelo is easily accessible in bars and liquor stores nationwide.

Bohemia

A very popular Mexican beer, this German style lager takes its name from the Czech region that is widely known for its brewing practices. This beer, golden in color, has a good body with a rich flavor. It has a good amount of carbonation and almost no head. Around since the turn of the 20th century, Bohemia, has been known for quality and quickly became one of Mexico’s finest beers. Bohemia is imported into the United States, but you may have to go to a specialty beer store to find it. No lime is needed for this beer; it is perfect as is-so perfect that it is Mexico’s most awarded beer, perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo with.

Pacifico Clara

Brewed right off of the Pacific Ocean in Mazatlan, Pacifico, just tastes like fun in the sun. This light Mexican pilsner is a dazzling color gold. Don’t be fooled by its look though, this is surprisingly full bodied and full flavored. Brewed since 1900, Pacifico is one of Mexico’s most popular beers and after a high demand, has become one of the top Mexican imported beers in the United States. Because of its Oceanside roots (even the label has fishing and ocean life symbols on it), Pacifico, of course pairs extremely well with seafood. This year for Cinco de Mayo, grab a cool and refreshing Pacifico, some fish tacos, and have yourself a Mexican summer fiesta.

Superior

The name of this beer says it all…it is ‘superior.’ Widely regarded as one of the most popular Mexican beers, it can sometimes be difficult to find it in the states, but if you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, ask for this. Brewed by Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma Brewery, the same company that produces Sol, Bohemia, and Dos Equis, among others this darker lager has a hearty and full bodied flavor. Again, no lime is needed, as the floral aromas and hoppy, nutty flavors are enough to satisfy your taste buds.

Modelo Especial

The number three imported beer in the United States, Modelo Especial, is a classic and quality beer. This is a typical Mexican beer at its finest and has become know for its thirst-quenching quality on the hottest of summer days. A light lager with a pale yellow color and a nice thick froth when poured, Modelo Especial, has a clean taste going down and an even cleaner aftertaste. With its slightly sweet flavor and crisp refreshing finish this is the perfect beer for a day at the beach (or a night at the beach bar). And with only 4.4% alcohol by volume, you can go all night long.

Dos Equis Ambar

A Vienna style lager with a “rich, big flavor,” Dos Equis Ambar is one of the most popular beers in both Mexico and the United States. Described as a “dark moody” lager, this beer has a lot of body and a nice floral aroma to match it. Available in the brown bottle (versus the green bottle of traditional Dos Equis), Dos Equis Ambar is knows for its ability to stay fresh and flavorful without being damaged by lights harmful rays. Widely available in the United States, this does have not have the usual dark almost bitter flavor of an amber beer, instead it has a light almost sweet taste with a refreshing smooth finish.

Corona Extra

No Mexican beer list would be complete without discussing Corona, the much debated beer. People either love it or hate it, however sales don’t lie as it is the top selling beer in Mexico and one of the most popular imports around the world. This bright yellow beer served with a lime just reminds you of lazy summer days lying by the beach. And despite its sometimes watered down flavor, Corona, has that refreshingly clean and crisp thirst quenching taste you just can’t resist. Synonymous with Mexican food, popping open a nice chilled Corona on Cinco de Mayo will make you feel like you’re having a fiesta on the Mexican Rivera!

Written by Diana De Cicco