The story of Mexican beer is one of innovation, cultural exchange, and resilience, tracing back to the Spanish colonial period. From the 16th-century introduction of barley and European brewing techniques to Mexico, through the influence of German immigrants in the 19th century, and the consolidation of major beer conglomerates in the 20th century, beer has become a pillar of Mexican culture and economy. The modern era has seen a resurgence in craft brewing, with local breweries embracing artisanal methods and native ingredients to create unique flavors that highlight Mexico’s rich heritage. As the industry continues to expand, Mexican beer has secured a prominent place on the global stage, captivating consumers worldwide with its distinct styles, both traditional and innovative. This article delves into the evolution of Mexican beer, exploring the rich history and prominent players that have shaped its journey.

History of Mexican Beer

The history of beer in Mexico dates back to the early colonial period, with the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Prior to that, indigenous peoples in Mexico consumed fermented beverages, primarily pulque, made from the agave plant. However, Spanish colonizers brought European brewing techniques and ingredients to Mexico, including barley. The first recorded brewery in the Americas was established by Alfonso de Herrera in Mexico City in the 1540s, but beer was initially expensive and primarily enjoyed by the Spanish elite.

By the 19th century, German immigrants introduced lager-style beers, which quickly gained popularity. These lighter lagers suited the Mexican climate and were preferred over the heavier, darker European beers. German brewing techniques and ingredients influenced the Mexican brewing industry significantly, leading to the development of classic Mexican lagers that dominate the market today. This era also marked the founding of breweries that are still prominent, like Cervecería Cuauhtémoc in 1890 and Cervecería Moctezuma, which merged later.

The 20th century saw the consolidation of Mexican breweries into two main conglomerates: Grupo Modelo and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma. These two companies came to dominate the industry, producing iconic brands like Corona, Modelo, Tecate, and Sol. During this time, Mexican beer also began to gain international recognition, especially with Corona’s successful export strategy in the United States, which helped Mexican beer become one of the top imported beers globally.

In the early 2000s, Mexico experienced a craft beer boom, spurred by relaxed regulations and an increased interest in artisanal brewing. Pioneering breweries like Minerva, Cucapá, and Cervecería de Baja California offered alternatives to the commercial lagers that had long dominated the market. These craft brewers drew on local ingredients and international brewing styles, adding diversity to the Mexican beer scene and appealing to a growing consumer base interested in specialty beers.

Today, Mexico is recognized as a global powerhouse in the beer industry. Both the commercial and craft beer sectors continue to thrive, with Mexican beer being exported worldwide and Mexican craft beer making significant inroads domestically and internationally. This evolution from a European-imported beverage to a thriving Mexican tradition highlights the adaptability of the Mexican brewing industry and its influence on global beer culture.

Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery

Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery, now part of Heineken Mexico, was founded in 1890 in Monterrey by a group of businessmen led by José A. Muguerza. Originally known as Cervecería Cuauhtémoc, it began with the production of Carta Blanca, a brand that quickly earned international acclaim and set the standard for Mexican lagers. In 1985, the company merged with Moctezuma Brewery, another established Mexican brewery known for brands like Sol and Dos Equis, forming Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma.

The merger of these two breweries created one of Mexico's most powerful brewing entities, which expanded both domestically and internationally over the following decades. In 2010, Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma was acquired by Heineken, which strengthened its distribution and global reach. Today, Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma is recognized for its iconic Mexican brands, including Tecate, Bohemia, and Indio, and remains a major player in the global beer industry.

• Carta Blanca: First brewed in 1890, Carta Blanca is a classic Mexican lager with a light and balanced profile, offering slight malt sweetness and a clean finish. Known as one of the country’s first widely distributed lagers, it remains popular for its refreshing qualities.
• Sol: Launched in 1899, Sol is a light and crisp Mexican lager, often enjoyed with a wedge of lime. Its mild flavor profile and low bitterness make it a popular choice for warm weather and beach outings.
• Indio: This Vienna-style amber lager has a distinctive caramel malt profile and a slight bitterness that sets it apart from lighter Mexican beers. Known for its darker, copper color, Indio is a flavorful option among mainstream Mexican beers.
• Bohemia: A premium Mexican beer, Bohemia comes in several varieties, including the pilsner-style Bohemia Clásica and the Vienna-style Bohemia Obscura. Bohemia beers are known for their refined flavor profiles, higher quality ingredients, and slightly higher bitterness.
• Dos Equis: Available in both Lager Especial (a light, refreshing pilsner) and Ambar (a darker, malty Vienna lager), Dos Equis has a broad appeal. Known for its smooth taste and the "Most Interesting Man in the World" ad campaign, it’s one of Mexico’s best-known beers internationally.
• Tecate: This is a golden, well-balanced lager known for its mild bitterness and easy drinkability. It was first produced in the city of Tecate in Baja California and has since become a popular beer for casual drinking.
• Noche Buena: A seasonal bock-style beer, Noche Buena is known for its rich maltiness and caramel flavor. It’s traditionally available during the holiday season, making it a popular choice for festive gatherings.
• Superior Cerveza: Superior is a light lager with a smooth, slightly sweet malt profile. It was introduced by Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma as a premium option, although it remains less known internationally compared to other brands.

Grupo Modelo

Grupo Modelo was founded in 1925 in Mexico City and has grown to become one of Mexico’s most influential breweries. It began by producing Modelo Especial and quickly expanded its portfolio with other iconic beers, including Corona, which would become a symbol of Mexican beer globally. Over the decades, Grupo Modelo transformed the beer landscape in Mexico, introducing advanced brewing and bottling technologies and focusing on international distribution. In the 1980s and 1990s, Corona became a top imported beer in the United States, cementing Grupo Modelo’s position in the global market.

In 2013, Grupo Modelo was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev, which further expanded its reach and production capacity worldwide. Today, Grupo Modelo’s brands—such as Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, and Pacifico—are recognized internationally and are exported to more than 180 countries. The brewery remains a key player in Mexico's beer industry, balancing its heritage with global beer culture and consumer trends.

• Corona: One of the world’s best-selling beers, Corona is a light, easy-drinking lager with a crisp, refreshing profile. First brewed in 1925 by Grupo Modelo, it’s often served with a wedge of lime for added zest, making it a favorite for beach outings and warm weather.
• Pacífico: Originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Pacífico is a pale lager known for its light, clean taste and mild bitterness. It’s popular along the Pacific coast and the western U.S., where it’s often enjoyed as a straightforward, refreshing beer.
• Modelo: Grupo Modelo’s flagship brand, Modelo comes in two popular versions—Modelo Especial, a golden lager with a slight sweetness, and Negra Modelo, a Munich-style dark beer with caramel and malt flavors. Both are well-regarded for their smooth, rich profiles.
• Victoria: One of Mexico’s oldest beers, Victoria is an amber lager with a slightly malty flavor. It has a mild caramel sweetness balanced by a touch of bitterness, making it richer in flavor than most Mexican lagers.
• Estrella Jalisco: First brewed in Guadalajara, Estrella Jalisco is a pale lager with a clean, light taste and low bitterness. Known for its refreshing qualities, it’s a popular choice during hot weather.
• León: This Munich-style dark lager has a full-bodied, slightly sweet flavor with roasted malt notes. León’s rich profile makes it a popular choice among darker Mexican beers, and it pairs well with hearty foods.
• Barrilito: Known as a traditional, affordable Mexican lager, Barrilito is a straightforward beer with a mild taste, low bitterness, and light body. It’s often chosen as a simple, refreshing option.
• Montejo: A Yucatan-born lager with a light, crisp profile, Montejo has a mild maltiness and slight sweetness. It has gained popularity in the U.S., especially as a refreshing accompaniment to Mexican cuisine.

Mexican Craft Breweries

The craft beer movement in Mexico began to take shape in the early 2000s, sparked by breweries like Cervecería Minerva in Guadalajara and Cucapá in Mexicali. These early pioneers saw an opportunity to introduce diverse beer styles beyond the traditional Mexican lager, experimenting with IPAs, stouts, and ales. Their approach blended European and American brewing traditions with Mexican ingredients, creating a new beer culture that valued quality, creativity, and regional flavors.

As the movement grew, more breweries emerged in cities like Tijuana and Mexico City, with standouts such as Baja Brewing, Insurgente, and Cervecería de Colima. These breweries gained recognition for their innovative styles, often incorporating local ingredients like chili, chocolate, and coffee, which resonated with both local and international audiences. Today, the craft beer scene in Mexico continues to expand, fueled by consumer demand for artisanal products and a growing appreciation for local brewing craftsmanship.

• Cervecería Minerva: Minerva, from Guadalajara, is one of Mexico’s leading craft breweries. Minerva Stout is among their best-loved offerings, featuring bold notes of chocolate and coffee, appealing to fans of rich, dark stouts.
• Cerveceria de Baja California (Cucapá): Located in Mexicali, this brewery helped pioneer the craft beer movement in Mexico. Their Chupacabras Pale Ale, a hoppy and citrusy American Pale Ale, is a flagship that has become widely popular among craft beer fans.
• Cervecería Allende: Based in San Miguel de Allende, this brewery produces a range of styles with traditional brewing techniques. Allende Golden Ale, a Belgian-style ale with a light malt flavor and hint of bitterness, is their standout product.
• Cervecería de Colima: Based in Colima, this brewery’s Colimita lager has become popular across Mexico for its clean, refreshing taste and subtle malt and hop balance.
• Cervecería Hércules: Based in Querétaro, Cervecería Hércules focuses on artisanal, small-batch brewing, known for its unique setting in a restored textile factory. Their most popular beer, Strong Belgian Blonde, is celebrated for its smooth, fruity, and slightly spicy flavor.
• Baja Brewing: Founded in Baja California Sur, Baja Brewing’s most popular beer is Cabotella, a golden ale with a smooth, easy-drinking profile, widely appreciated for its light, refreshing taste.
• Cervecería Primus: Known for its Tempus Reserva Especial, a rich Scottish-style ale with caramel and dark fruit flavors, Primus has been a major force in promoting Mexican craft beer domestically and abroad.
• Cervecería Insurgente: Tijuana’s Insurgente is celebrated for its bold, hop-forward brews, particularly La Lupulosa, an IPA with strong citrus aromas that has garnered a large following among IPA enthusiasts.
• Cervecería Calavera: Located in Mexico City, Calavera takes inspiration from Mexican culture, producing unique brews like the Mexican Imperial Stout, which combines flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and coffee.
• Cervecería Wendlandt: This Ensenada-based brewery is known for Perro del Mar, an award-winning American-style IPA with tropical fruit and citrus notes, popular for its balanced and refreshing profile.
• Cervecería Mexicana: Known for the Day of the Dead series, Cervecería Mexicana produces several traditional and creative beers, with Pay the Ferryman Porter, a dark and smoky porter, being a standout.
• AquaMala Cerveza Artesanal: Located in Ensenada, AquaMala is known for its sea-inspired, experimental flavors. Their Sirena pale ale, with floral and citrus notes, is a fan favorite.
• Cerveza Urbana: Mexico City-based Cerveza Urbana is known for its creative beers, with the Urbana Pilsner standing out as a crisp, refreshing choice with a mild malt sweetness.

Beer Events and Festivals in Mexico

As the Mexican craft beer industry continues to grow, festivals dedicated to celebrating Mexican beer culture have become popular gathering spots for brewers, distributors, and beer lovers alike. From large expos in major cities to themed events in charming towns, these festivals showcase the diversity and creativity in Mexican brewing. Events like Cerveza México in Mexico City and Guadalajara provide a platform for both established and emerging breweries, featuring tastings, workshops, and competitions that highlight the best in Mexican craft beer. Meanwhile, festivals such as the Tijuana International Beer Festival and Ensenada Beer Fest bring a regional focus, showcasing Baja California’s vibrant beer scene with local brews, live performances, and unique cultural experiences. Each event not only celebrates Mexican brewing but also offers visitors a deeper look into the flavors, techniques, and traditions that define the country’s beer culture.

• Cerveza México - CDMX: Held in Mexico City every October, Cerveza México is one of the country’s largest beer expos, attracting brewers, distributors, and beer enthusiasts from across Mexico. The event features tastings, competitions, and workshops, offering a platform for both established and emerging Mexican breweries to showcase their beers.
• Cerveza México - Guadalajara: Held in Guadalajara in May, this expo is a significant event for western Mexico’s beer industry. It offers attendees an opportunity to explore local and national breweries, participate in workshops, and meet industry professionals, fostering a deeper appreciation for Mexican beer.
• Tijuana International Beer Festival: This vibrant festival is held annually in Tijuana during the summer, welcoming both Mexican and international breweries. Known for its lively crowd, the festival features tastings, live performances, and a showcase of the city’s emerging craft beer culture.
• Ensenada Beer Fest: Taking place in Ensenada in March, this is one of Mexico’s largest beer festivals. Hosted at the historic Riviera Cultural Center, it features over a hundred breweries, food vendors, and live entertainment, drawing beer enthusiasts from both Mexico and the U.S. West Coast. The festival brings together local brewers and beer lovers, featuring tastings, food pairings, and live music, celebrating Baja California’s thriving craft beer scene.
• Festival de la Cerveza Monterrey: Hosted in Monterrey in June, this festival celebrates the growing craft beer culture in northern Mexico. It brings together brewers from across the country, offering attendees a variety of beer tastings, food stalls, and live music performances. The festival has become a key event for beer enthusiasts in the region, spotlighting diverse Mexican breweries in a lively atmosphere.
• Guadalajara Beer Festival: Held in April, the Guadalajara Beer Festival is one of western Mexico's premier craft beer events. It features a mix of local, national, and international breweries, providing a platform for attendees to sample a broad range of beer styles. With food trucks, live bands, and a relaxed atmosphere, it has become a favorite year-end event for Guadalajara’s beer lovers.
• Tequisquiapan Beerfest Medieval: Taking place in August in the picturesque town of Tequisquiapan, Querétaro, this unique festival combines craft beer with a medieval theme. Attendees can enjoy beers from regional and national breweries while experiencing medieval-style entertainment, including jousting, costume contests, and themed performances. This family-friendly event adds a cultural twist to the traditional beer festival format.