Mexican beers encompass a wide variety of styles and brands, due to a rich brewing tradition that has diversified and gained international recognition in recent decades.

Mexico’s brewing tradition has roots dating back to pre-Columbian times, where some indigenous cultures were already producing fermented corn-based beverages. 

However, beer as we know it today was introduced by European colonisers, especially the Germans, in the 19th century.

Mexico is one of the largest producers and consumers of beer in the world. The Mexican beer industry has experienced steady growth, and the diversity of styles and brands has increased with the popularity of craft beers.

7 Mexican beers

Bohemia

Bohemia is a Mexican beer brand that has been around for many years. Founded in 1905, Bohemia has been part of the beer tradition in Mexico. There are 2 types of variants:

• Bohemia Clásica: This is a pilsner style beer, a bottom-fermented beer variety that stands out for its light colour and balanced flavour. It usually has a mild malt profile with a light hop bitterness.
• Dark Bohemian: This variant is a dark Munich Dunkel type beer. It has darker tones and a more robust flavour with roasted and caramelised notes. It is an option for those who prefer richer, maltier beers.

Bohemia has maintained a reputation for quality and tradition in the Mexican beer scene. Over the years, it has gained popularity both within the country and further afield.

Victoria

Victoria is another well-known Mexican beer brand that is part of the country’s brewing tradition. 

• Style: Victoria is known as a Vienna style lager. The Vienna Lager style has its roots in Austria and is characterised by an amber to reddish colour and a balanced flavour profile with malt and hops.
• Characteristics: This beer is appreciated for its smoothness, moderate body and refreshing taste. It has a balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness, making it appealing to all types of consumers and tastes.
• Popularity: Victoria has gained popularity both nationally and internationally. It is commonly enjoyed in Mexico and is a favourite choice in many places.
• History: The Victoria brand has a long history of beer production in Mexico. It was originally launched in 1865 and has been an integral part of the Mexican beer scene ever since.
• Presentation: Victoria is usually available in bottles and cans, and can be found in all types of establishments both in Mexico and abroad.

Modelo Especial

Modelo Especial is one of the most recognised and consumed beers in Mexico and other parts of the world. 

• Style: Modelo Especial is a lager beer, which means that it belongs to the category of bottom-fermented beers. This style is characterised by a clean and balanced flavour, with a smooth malt profile and moderate bitterness.
• Characteristics: It is known for its refreshing and light taste. Modelo Especial has gained popularity for being an easy drinking beer, with a smooth body and a slightly bitter finish.
• Presentation: It is commonly marketed in bottles and cans. It is also possible to find it in kegs in some places.
• Grupo Modelo: Modelo Especial is produced by Grupo Modelo, one of the largest breweries in Mexico. In addition to Modelo Especial, the group is known for other popular brands such as Corona.

• International Popularity: Modelo Especial has achieved considerable popularity internationally. Its distribution abroad has contributed to its recognition as an iconic Mexican beer.
• Variants: Grupo Modelo produces several variants of Modelo, such as Modelo Negra (a dark Munich Dunkel-type beer) and Modelo Ámbar, each with its own distinctive characteristics.

Calavera

Founded in 2013 in Querétaro, Mexico, Calavera has made its mark on the country’s craft beer scene. Some of Calavera’s most popular beers include:

• Catrina IPA: An India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer that is often characterised by intense flavours and fruity, citrusy aromas from the hops used.
• Calavera Vienna Lager: Vienna Lager is a beer style with roots in Austria, known for its amber to reddish colour and balanced malt and hop flavour.
• Calavera Gose: Gose is a style of wheat beer that often contains salt and coriander, providing a unique and refreshing flavour profile.
• Calavera Stout: Stout beers are known for their roasted character and often feature chocolate and coffee flavours.

Minerva

Cerveza Minerva is a Mexican craft brewery that has gained recognition for its innovative and high quality beers. 

Founded in 2003 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Minerva has contributed significantly to the rise of the craft beer scene in Mexico.

Some of the most common Minerva beers are:

• Minerva Pale Ale: An American Pale Ale (APA) style beer that usually has a balance of malts and hops, with fruity and citrus notes.
• Minerva Imperial Tequila Ale: A unique beer aged in tequila barrels, which gives it the characteristic flavours and aromas of this Mexican drink.
• Minerva Vienna Lager: Like Calavera Vienna Lager, this style is known for its amber to reddish colour and balanced profile.
• Minerva Stout: A dark beer with roasted flavours, often with notes of chocolate and coffee.
• Minerva Pale Lager: A lighter option, with characteristics of a lager but with a more pronounced flavour profile.

Colima Brewery

Cervecería de Colima is a Mexican craft brewery located in the state of Colima, Mexico. Founded in 2014, the brewery has excelled in producing high quality beers and has contributed to the growth of the craft beer scene in Mexico since its inception.

Here is some information about some of the beers of the Colima Brewery:

• Páramo: is an American Pale Ale (APA) style beer. This style is characterised by a balance of malts and hops, with a more pronounced flavour profile than a conventional pale ale.
• Colimita: is a Kölsch-style beer, a bottom-fermented beer variety that has its roots in Cologne, Germany. It is known for being clear, refreshing and having a clean character.
• Cocolimon: is a wheat beer with coconut and lemon. This type of beer often has fruity and citrus notes, and in this case, coconut is added to give it a tropical touch.

Cucapa

Cucapá is a Mexican craft brewery based in Mexicali, Baja California.

Founded in 2002, the brewery has been known for its innovative approach and production of creative beers. Here is some information about some of Cucapá’s beers:

• La Migra: is a Kölsch style beer. This German style is known for being clear, clean and easy to drink, with characteristics that resemble both lagers and ales.
• Runaway IPA: An India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer that is often characterised by intense flavours and fruity, citrusy aromas from the hops used.
• Chupacabras Pale Ale: a style of beer that generally has a balance of malts and hops, with a more pronounced flavour than conventional pale ales.
• Amber Ale: is known for its amber colour and balanced flavour profile between caramel malts and hops.

And for you, what is your favourite Mexican beer brand and variety? Have we forgotten any of them? Comment and leave us your opinion about these typical Mexican beers or others that we haven’t mentioned or that you would like us to include in our menu.

Remember! At Taqueria de Birra we are experts in tacos and Mexican food since 1989, so if you want to try some tacos in the purest Mexican style accompanied by your favourite beer, we invite you to order to take away or come and try them at our establishments in C/ Don Pedro, 11 and Plaza de las Comendadoras, 2.