Avoid Corona Beer: It's Not What You Think

Despite the rumours, drinking Corona beer will not give you COVID-19. In fact, Corona is one of the world's best-selling beers, available in over 150 countries. The Mexican-born lager, named for the sun's corona, began domestic distribution in 1925 and has since become the No. 1 beer import in America. It is often served with a lime wedge, though no one is sure why.

Corona is not related to the coronavirus and won't make you sick

The rumours that Corona beer is related to the coronavirus are false. The only similarity between the two is their name. The coronavirus gets its name from the crown-like spikes on its surface, as "corona" means "crown" in Latin.

Despite the rumours, drinking Corona beer will not make you sick with COVID-19. The two are entirely unrelated.

Corona is a pale lager made by Cerveceria Modelo in Mexico. It is one of the best-selling beers in the world and is available in over 150 countries. In the United States, Corona is the country's best-selling imported beer and the fifth most popular beer overall.

Corona is often served with a lime wedge, although the reason for this is debated. Some say it is to disinfect the mouth of the bottle, while others say it is to enhance or mask the flavour.

Corona has been the subject of various rumours over the years, including a false rumour started by rival beer brand Heineken in the 1980s that Mexican brewery workers were urinating in beers sold to the US.

It's called Corona after the sun's corona

Despite the name's similarity to the deadly coronavirus, Corona beer is not making any changes to its advertising. Constellation Brands, the company that brews Corona, stated that its customers "understand there is no link between the virus and our business." The spread of the coronavirus came at a difficult time for Constellation, which was spending $40 million to launch its new Corona-branded hard seltzer.

Part of the promotion included a sponsored tweet that sparked criticism for using the phrase "coming ashore soon." Some replies to the tweet called the ad "in poor taste" and advised that the brand should "lie low for a few weeks." Two surveys released in the same week showed that the brand was suffering from negative buzz. 5W Public Relations reported that 38% of Americans wouldn't buy Corona "under any circumstances" due to the outbreak, and another 14% said they wouldn't order a Corona in public. A survey conducted by YouGov found that consumers' intent to purchase Corona had dropped to its lowest level in two years, and the brand's buzz score had significantly declined since the beginning of the year.

However, it's important to note that the name "Corona" has no connection to the coronavirus beyond the similar-sounding name. The coronavirus is named as such because of the crown-like spikes on its surface, as "corona" means "crown" in Latin. So, while the timing of Constellation Brands' new product launch may have been unfortunate, it's clear that the beer's name has nothing to do with the virus.

In fact, the beer's name has a much more pleasant origin. The yellow circle in the center of Corona's label represents the sun setting over the blue ocean, and the creatures flanking the crown on top of the sun are called gryphons, which have a lion's body and an eagle's head. They are the designated guardians of every bottle. So, when you see the Corona logo, you're looking at a miniature piece of art!

It's the top imported beer in the US

Corona is a Mexican beer brand produced by Grupo Modelo and exported worldwide. It has been the top-selling imported beer in the US since 1998. Constellation Brands is the exclusive licensee and sole importer of Corona in the US. In 2024, Modelo was the leading imported beer brand in the US with around five billion US dollars in sales. However, Corona was still listed among the leading imported beer brands in the US.

Corona Extra, a pale lager, is the brand's most popular variation. It was first introduced in 1925 and was the fastest-growing beer in America's history when it was imported to the US in 1981. It is often served with a wedge of lime or lemon, though the reason for this is debated. Some say it was to keep flies out of the bottle, while others claim it was a marketing ploy.

Corona's popularity in the US grew with the reduction of tariffs on Mexican beer imports when NAFTA came into effect in 1994, as well as increased immigration between the two countries. Corona has also been a longtime sponsor of boxing in Mexico and the US, contributing to its brand recognition.

It's best served cold

Corona is a pale lager made by Cerveceria Modelo in Mexico and is one of the best-selling beers in the world. It is available in over 150 countries and is often served with a traditional lime or lemon wedge.

When drinking a Corona, it is best served cold. Place the beer in the freezer, fridge, or cooler. Be careful not to leave it in the freezer for more than 30 minutes, as it may explode. Using a cooler with ice water is the fastest method to cool the beer.

Once the beer is cold, open the bottle and add salt and lime. Sprinkle the rim of the bottle with a little sea salt, then place a lime wedge over the opening of the bottle and squeeze the lime juice into it. Push the lime wedge into the bottle to add more flavour.

If you want to mix your drink, add lemon, Tabasco sauce, spicy tomato juice, salt, and/or pepper to a mixer or empty cup with half a Corona in it. You can also make a Red Corona by adding one shot of vodka, one teaspoon of grenadine syrup, and one slice of lime to a bottle of Corona that is seven-eighths full. Remember to always drink responsibly.

It's often served with a lime wedge, but no one knows why

Corona is a light lager that is typically served with a lime wedge inserted into the neck of the bottle. While the exact origins of this tradition are unknown, there are several theories that attempt to explain it.

One popular theory is that the lime helps to mask the "skunky" taste that can develop when the beer is exposed to light due to its clear glass packaging. The lime is said to add a distinct flavour note to the otherwise mild-tasting beverage. Another theory suggests that the lime was originally used to keep flies away from the beer, or to disinfect the top of the bottle. Some believe that the ritual of adding lime to Corona originated in Mexico, where it was used to enhance the beer's taste or combat germs due to the lime's acidity.

The practice of adding lime to Corona may also be attributed to a clever marketing ploy or a bartender's wager. The unique combination of golden beer, green lime, and the blue, white, and gold label of the bottle may have contributed to its appeal and helped Corona become the best-selling imported beer in the US market.

While the reason behind the lime wedge remains a mystery, it has undoubtedly become an integral part of the Corona drinking experience, adding a touch of ritual and mystery to the enjoyment of this popular Mexican beer.

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