Mexican Beers: A Guide to Five of My Favorites

Mexico has brewed some interesting beers over the years (Bohemia being my #1). Did you know that Mexican beer goes back to before the European conquistadors arrived in America? As a matter of fact, the Mayans and Aztecs brewed grain drinks even before the Spanish arrived in Mexico. Germans were the ultimate force that helped Mexican brewers flourish in the 19th century.

Here is a guide to a few of my most favorite Mexican beers.

Dos Equis Lager - Dos Equis Lager is brewed by the Cerveceria Cuahtemoc Moctezuma Brewery in Mexico. This Mexican beer has been around since 1983, second to the Dos Equis Amber.

At one of the local Mexican restaurants, Dos Equis is usually served on a nightly special price, and that's how I first tried it. The labels on Dos Equis features two Xs (XX), which is fitting because Dos Equis translates to "2 X's". This Mexican beer is 5.0% alcohol, smells like barley, has a sweet grain taste, and leaves that sweet taste in your mouth afterwards. It isn't as bitter as Corona so you don't necessarily need the lime added to it. This beer goes well with any of the dishes- burritos, rice, fajitas, tacos, etc. It's an excellent Mexican beer that tastes smooth but doesn't cost a lot.

Modelo Especial - Modelo Especial was first produced in 1925 with Grupo Modelo in Mexico City and sold in the USA in 1990. It's now the top 3 imported beer in the U.S. The 12oz lager is 6% alcohol and contains 145 calories.

I enjoy Modelo Especial on its own. It has a slight filling characteristic that sometimes makes me feel "full" so I don't drink it with full meals. I prefer to drink this by adding a lime and snacking on munchies or nachos. Nonetheless it tastes rich and grainy, and it has left a metallic taste in my mouth a few times.

Potro - Potro is just a different feel from other more known Mexican beers. Potro, from the Cerveceria Mexicana, is surprisingly an English Stout. It comes in a cool blue bottle and is 4.7% alcohol. It's a dark beer that smells a little like fruit and chocolate. When drinking it I first notice a nutty taste followed by chocolate then a thin roasty aftertaste. I find Potro easy to drink, a little watered down, but enjoyable.

Tijuana Morena - Tijuana Morena is an American Amber brewed by Cerveza Tijuana, which was founded in 2000 by a fellow who had an interest in beer since childhood. He watched his father distribute beer through Mexico as a youngster and grew up dreaming about being in the beer industry.

Tijuana Morena has been compared to a tootsie roll flavor. It's a dark 4.8% alcohol beverage that has a delicate, light taste. It has honey and caramel flavors and a sweet aftertaste. I can definitely see why its called a tootsie roll!

Bohemia - Bohemia is a German Pilsener brewed by Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma. It's a dark Mexican beer and 5.3% alcohol by volume.

As I mentioned earlier, Bohemia is my absolute favorite Mexican Beer. It smells of citrus and malt, but tastes of mild, sweet hops. It finishes with a very slight sweet malt aftertaste. I'd pair this beer with a spicy Mexican dish or for a summer BBQ. It's light and not rapidly filling to the stomach.

Sources:

"History of Mexican Beer," Mex Insider.

"Beer in Mexico," Wikipedia.