“Dos cervezas, por favor.” These were the first Spanish words I learned. And after 16 years, I still use them frequently.
The majority of beers crafted in Mexico are light, refreshing and especially wonderful when accompanied by a slice of fresh lime while sitting on a patio in San Carlos trying to beat this summer heat.
During a recent trip to Mazatlan, upon learning of my German heritage, our tour guide promptly told us that it was the arrival of German immigrants and the brief reign of Emperor Maximilian of Austria in the mid-19th century that helped to create the art of beer brewing in Mexico. Our guide was notably fond of the Pacifico brand, which was originally brewed in his city.
Here is a guide to some of Mexico’s most popular beers. The number of calories per 12-ounce serving is listed in parentheses.
Bohemia: Hoppy and dry with a hint of malt, this beer is made in the Czech pilsner style. The name comes from the Bohemia district of the Czech Republic that is known for beer. (135)
Carta Blanca: Brewed in the Mexican lager tradition, this refreshing golden beer is lightly carbonated and has a sweet, slightly metallic aftertaste. The name means “white card” in Spanish, which in the late 1800’s were given to people as a sign of respect. (128)
Corona: Pale straw in color, it’s a light lager that is slightly sweet with a hint of hops. The distinctive ‘crown’ logo from which Corona takes its name is based on the crown that adorns the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The crown itself is modeled after a crown that is rumored to have belonged to a mistress of Emperor Maximilian. Unlike most beers, it is bottled in a clear bottle. Corona is one of the five most-consumed beers in the world, the # 1 imported beer in the US, and available in more than 150 countries. (Light, 109; Extra, 148)
Dos Equis Amber: This light lager is pale yellow with a quickly dissipating head that opens to aromas of grain and corn. Originally, the beer was named “Siglo XX”, (meaning “20th century” in Spanish), with the double X (dos equis) standing for the number 20, and it commemorated the arrival of the 20th century. (145)
Negra Modelo: Brewed in the Vienna style, this is a thick, dark ale prized for its coppery color, hearty body, and toffee-like aftertaste. (165)
Sol: Dark gold and crystal clear, this minimally carbonated light lager hints at hops and offers a slightly bitter finish. The name came from a ray of sunshine that fell on a pot used in its brewing. (131)
Pacifico Clara: This pale gold, somewhat thin lager carries notes of corn and yeast with a citrusy, grassy, dry finish. Named after the Pacific Ocean, the picture on the bottle is that of the Deer Islands off the coast of Mazatlan surrounded by a lifesaver. (146)
Tecate: Pale yellow and clear. Tecate is a light, bright lager with a smooth body, clean aroma and crisp finish. It was named after the city of Tecate in Baja California. Tecate was the first canned beer in Mexico, and is currently the most imported canned beer in the United States. It is a well-known brand due to its patronage of sports teams and sporting events. (Light, 110; Regular, 146)
Today, almost 90% of all beer in Mexico is produced by two big breweries. Grupo Modelo is the biggest brewing company in Mexico and is based in Mexico City. Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma is the older of the two companies and is based in Monterrey.
The Mexican beer industry employs 90,000 people and 800,000 jobs in this country are related to it indirectly. The beer industry is one of Mexico’s most prolific with 63% of the domestic population consuming one or more of the brands, and Mexico ranking third in global exports of beer.
In San Carlos, most restaurants and bars will sell either the Grupo Modelo brands (made up of Negra Modelo, Modelo Especial, Pacífico, Corona, and Victoria), or the Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma brands (which include Tecate, Sol, Dos Equis, Carta Blanca, Indio, and Bohemia). This is because their liquor license requires them to choose between the two brands to be sold at their establishment.
Regardless of your beer of choice, before that next swig, why not take a moment to reflect on the history and unique taste, and raise your glass and say “hola” to Mexican beer…or you could simply follow the advice of popular country musician Kenny Chesney and “sit right here and have another beer in Mexico”.
By Sue Fehrle
