Mexicans And Beer: How Much Is Consumed?

Mexico is the world's largest exporter of beer, with its beers particularly popular in the US and Europe. The country has a rich history of beer production, dating back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. While there were fermented alcoholic beverages in Mexico prior to this, the Spanish introduced European-style beer brewed with barley.

Today, beer is a significant part of Mexican culture and the country's beer industry is one of the most prevalent in the nation, with over 63% of the population consuming one brand or another. The average convenience store stocks at least six options, ranging from smooth pilsners to amber-coloured ales.

The most popular beer in Mexico is Corona, which is also the country's best-selling beer abroad. Other well-known Mexican beers include Tecate, Modelo, Dos Equis, and Sol.

Mexican beer brands

Mexico is one of the world's top beer-producing countries, with a large range of beers brewed in the country. Two large conglomerates, Grupo Modelo and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma (formerly known as FEMSA Cerveza), produce over 90% of the Mexican beer market. Here are some of the popular Mexican beer brands:

Grupo Modelo Beers

• Corona Extra is a light lager pilsner and the top-selling Mexican beer globally, currently exported to 159 countries. It has a very mild flavour and is the largest-selling non-domestic beer in the US and the UK.
• Corona Light is Grupo Modelo's first low-calorie beer, introduced in 1989.
• Negra Modelo is popularly known as the "cream of the beers" in Mexico and is a smooth, dark beer described as a Munich-dunkel type. It was one of Modelo's original beers, first sold as a draft in 1926.
• Modelo Especial was the first brand produced by Modelo in 1925 and remains a favourite with Mexican consumers. It is a lager beer with a slightly richer and fuller taste than Corona.
• Victoria is a unique blend of a light pilsner and a dark beer, with an amber colour. It has been in production since 1865 and was acquired by Grupo Modelo in 1935.
• León and Montejo were originally brewed in Mérida, Yucatán. León is a dark amber, full-bodied beer that has been in production for over a hundred years, while Montejo has been produced since 1960.
• Pacífico is a light, refreshing pilsner originally brewed in Mazatlán and is Grupo Modelo's leading brand in north-eastern Mexico. It has been exported to the US since 1985 and a light version was launched in 2008.
• Estrella was originally brewed in Guadalajara and acquired by Grupo Modelo in 1954. It is now a regional brand, mostly sold in Jalisco state and western Mexico.
• Barrilito is a light, refreshing pilsner.

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma Beers

• Sol is a light, tasty lager that was originally produced for the working classes. It was relaunched in 1993 and is now exported worldwide.
• Tecate was first brewed in the town of Tecate, Baja California, and acquired by Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma in 1954. It is a medium lager with a sharp, strong taste and was the first beer to be sold in cans in Mexico.
• Ambar Dos Equis (XX) and Dos Equis are light lager beers. XX was Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma's best-selling brand in the 1940s and 1950s and is now the top-selling non-domestic dark beer in the US.
• Bohemia is one of Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma's oldest brands and is recognised as one of the world's finest beers. It has a significant hops flavour and a dense, clear appearance.
• Noche Buena is a seasonal beer available only between October and December. It is a rich, dark beer with a strong flavour.
• Indio is a smooth, dark beer produced at the Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma Brewery since 1905. Its original name was Cuauhtémoc, but it was changed to Indio as customers referred to it as "the beer with the Indian".
• Carta Blanca is one of Mexico's oldest beer brands, first brewed in 1890. It is a pilsner with a balance of grain and hops elements, making it a good pairing with spicy foods.
• Superior is a light beer that has been a favourite among Mexican drinkers for over fifty years.

Other Mexican beer brands include Minerva, Estrella Jalisco, and Montejo, which offer a variety of flavours and styles to cater to different tastes.

Mexican beer history

The history of beer in Mexico dates back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century. While Mesoamerican cultures had been brewing fermented alcoholic beverages, including a corn beer, long before this time, the Spanish introduced European-style beer brewed with barley. The first official concession to brew this style of beer was granted to Alfonso de Herrero in 1543 or 1544, with the brewery thought to have been located in southern Mexico City or Amecameca, Mexico State. However, production was limited due to a lack of materials and severe restrictions and taxes imposed by Spanish authorities.

After the Mexican War of Independence, these restrictions were lifted, and the industry began to develop. In the 19th century, the arrival of German and Austrian immigrants, including a brewer to the emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, provided further impetus, with many breweries opening across the country. By 1918, there were 36 brewing companies in Mexico.

However, over the course of the 20th century, the industry consolidated, and today, only two corporations, Grupo Modelo and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, control 90% of the Mexican beer market. These two conglomerates produce a large range of beers, from light lagers to dark Vienna-style beers, and supply over 90% of all beer in Mexico. They have also helped make Mexico the largest beer exporter in the world, with exports to over 150 countries, primarily the United States.

Despite the dominance of these two conglomerates, there has been a recent resurgence in independent craft breweries, with small-batch craft beer and ale labels appearing regionally.

Beer drinking habits

Beer is a major export for Mexico, with the country being the largest exporter of beer in the world in 2022. The majority of beer in Mexico is sold in 325ml bottles, known as "medias" in popular slang, with some brands such as Tecate and Modelo Especial often sold in cans. Beer is also commonly sold in large bottles of 925ml or 940ml, known as caguamas (sea turtles) or ballenas (whales).

Beer is typically served cold and with lime juice, and it is rare to find beer served on tap. A popular beer cocktail in Mexico is the michelada, which consists of light beer with lime juice, salt, and sometimes chilli powder, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or tomato juice. The name is derived from the Mexican slang for beer, 'chelada', so michelada translates to 'my cold beer'.

The two largest breweries in Mexico, Grupo Modelo and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, produce over 90% of all beer in the country. Grupo Modelo produces Corona, which is the most popular beer in Mexico and the best-selling non-domestic beer in the US, UK and Australia. Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, on the other hand, produces Tecate, which is the second most popular beer in Mexico and is known for its patronage and sponsorship of Mexican sports teams and events.

Other popular beers in Mexico include Dos Equis, Sol, Modelo, and Victoria.

History of Beer in Mexico

Beer production in Mexico dates back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, when European-style beer brewed with barley was introduced. However, production was limited during the colonial period due to a lack of materials and restrictions and taxes imposed by Spanish authorities. After the Mexican War of Independence, these restrictions were lifted, and the industry began to develop. The arrival of German immigrants during the Second Mexican Empire in the 19th century further contributed to the development of the beer industry, as they brought additional knowledge and expertise.

By the early 20th century, beer had become big business in Mexico, with over 35 breweries operating in the country. The industry then began to consolidate, with smaller breweries being absorbed by the two largest breweries, Grupo Modelo and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma. Today, these two corporations control the Mexican beer market, with over 63% of the population consuming one or more of their brands.

Craft Beer Scene

While Mexico was late to the craft beer scene, it now has over 1,400 craft breweries. The development of the craft beer scene has been hindered by the dominance of the two major breweries, which had exclusive contracts with retailers, making it difficult for craft breweries to sell their products. However, with government intervention, the craft beer scene is now growing, and craft beers can be found in specialty beer stores and upscale restaurants.

Beer and breweries by region

Mexico is one of the world's top beer-producing countries, with a large range of beers brewed in the country. The history of beer in Mexico dates back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, when European-style beer brewed with barley was introduced. However, even before the Europeans arrived, ancient civilisations in Mexico had been brewing alcoholic beverages using fermented corn grains.

Today, the Mexican beer market is dominated by two large conglomerates, Cerveceria Modelo (Grupo Modelo) and Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma (FEMSA), which together control over 90% of the market. These two companies have a total of 17 brewing plants in 11 states and support over 90 barley-producing centres across the country. Here is a breakdown of the beers produced by these two companies:

Grupo Modelo Beers:

• Corona Extra: A light lager pilsner beer that is the top-selling Mexican beer abroad, exported to 159 countries.
• Corona Light: Grupo Modelo's first low-calorie beer, introduced in 1989.
• Negra Modelo: A dark beer, known in Mexico as the "cream of the beers", and described as a "Munich-dunkel (dark)" type beer.
• Modelo Especial: A lager beer and the second-best selling beer in Mexico. A lower-calorie 'light' version is also available.
• Victoria: A Pilsner-Vienna type beer with a unique amber colour, first brewed in 1865.
• Leon: A Munich-style dark amber, full-bodied beer, originally brewed in Merida, Yucatan.
• Montejo: A pilsner with a light taste and aroma, also originally from Merida.
• Pacifico: A light, refreshing pilsner beer, Grupo Modelo's leading brand in north-eastern Mexico.

Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma Beers:

• Sol: A light, tasty lager beer, originally produced for the working classes but now also popular with young people.
• Tecate: A medium lager with a sharp, strong taste, first brewed in the state of Baja California.
• Dos Equis (Ambar and XX): A Vienna-style dark beer, first produced by a German brewer in 1897. The clear version is a light lager beer.
• Bohemia: A light, rich lager beer, one of the oldest brands in Mexico, with a significant hops flavour.
• Noche Buena: A dark, rich beer with a strong flavour, only available during the festive season (October-December).
• Indio: A smooth, dark beer, originally named Cuauhtémoc, that has been produced since 1905.
• Superior: A light beer that has been a favourite among Mexican drinkers for over 50 years.
• Carta Blanca: A pilsner beer and one of Mexico's oldest beer brands, first brewed in 1890.

Craft beer

One of the most successful craft beer start-ups in Mexico is Cerveza Loba, which was founded in 2012. Cerveza Loba has found success by moving away from the three styles that dominate Mexican craft beer production (Pale Ale, IPA, and American Stout) and instead focusing on fusions and heritage beers. As a result, Cerveza Loba exports up to 40% of its volume and sells more beer in export markets than in its home city of Guadalajara.

Other craft breweries in Mexico include Cervecería Hercules, Cervecería Insurgentes, and Cervecería Monstruo de Agua.

Frequently asked questions