From Conquest to Craft: How Mexican Beer Took Over the World

When you think of Mexico, you probably picture golden beaches, lively fiestas, and fantastic food - and likely a cold, crisp cerveza nearby. Today, Mexican beer travels the world, cooling off crowds from Tokyo to Toronto with brands like Dos Equis and Tecate. But how did we get here? The story of Mexican lager is one of conquest, innovation, and unexpected European roots.

How Beer First Landed in Mexico

Before the Spanish arrived, indigenous communities were already fermenting their own drinks, most notably pulque, a milky beverage made from agave. But it wasn't until the Spanish conquistadors landed in the 16th century that European-style beer, brewed with barley and hops, made its debut in Mexico.

Early on, beer was scarce. Barley was hard to grow locally, and importing ingredients from Europe made brewing expensive. Plus, the Spanish crown taxed local alcohol production heavily to protect its wine and spirits industries back home. It wasn't until after the Mexican War of Independence in the early 1800s, when Spain's control loosened, that brewing took off on a broader scale.

The Birth of the Mexican Lager

By the late 19th century a new wave of influence arrived - this time from Germany. They brought centuries of brewing know-how and a passion for crisp, bottom-fermented lager-style beers.

German brewmasters introduced techniques that helped shape what we now think of as Mexican beer: light, refreshing, easy to drink, and perfect for hot weather. Beers like Tecate, with its clean finish, and Dos Equis, with its malty body, both owe a nod to these Germanic roots.

The Beer Titans: How Two Companies Took Over Mexican Beer

By the early 20th century, Mexico's 30+ breweries were consolidated under two giants:

• Cervecería Modelo (founded in 1925 in Mexico City), home to Corona, Modelo Especial, and later, Pacifico. Now part of Grupo Modelo, owned by AB InBev, the world's largest beer company.
• Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma (founded in 1890 in Monterrey), makers of Tecate, Indio, Bohemia, and Dos Equis, now owned by Heineken International.

Together, they produce more than 90% of Mexico's beer and have transformed Mexican beer into one of the country's most successful exports, shipping to over 150 countries worldwide. In fact, the U.S. is the top importer of Mexican beer.

Popular Mexican Beers

Here's a quick cheat sheet of popular Mexican beers worth sipping:

• Corona Extra - A crisp, light, slightly sweet, pale lager, low in bitterness. It is best served with a wedge of lime.
• Modelo Especial - A medium-bodied pale lager known for its mild, slightly sweet, and balanced flavor (not too hoppy or malty), with low bitterness.
• Negra Modelo - A smooth, medium-bodied Vienna-style lager with rich caramel and toasted malt flavors, often mistaken for a Munich-style dunkel.
• Tecate - A light adjunct lager (corn or rice is used, along with barley in the brewing process) that finishes with a slightly bitter bite.
• Dos Equis Lager Especial - A mildly malty, smooth, light to medium golden pale lager, with very low bitterness.
• Bohemia - The Pilsner, Bohemia Clásica, is known for its rich, slightly hoppy flavor, with a lemony aftertaste. Bohemia Obscura is a very malty, toasty dark lager with a smooth finish.
• Victoria - One of Mexico's oldest beers; a smooth, Vienna-style amber lager with light roasted malt and a crisp finish.
• Indio - A darker, medium-bodied lager with smooth malt flavors, perfect for those looking for something a little richer.

Beyond the Giants: Mexico's Craft Beer Movement

While the big brands still dominate, Mexico's craft beer scene is booming. From Tijuana to Oaxaca, independent brewers are pushing boundaries with IPAs, stouts, saisons, and wild local fermentations. Names like Cervecería Minerva, Baja Brewing Company, and Cervecería Calavera are helping redefine what Mexican beer can be - not just something you sip on the beach, but something that surprises and challenges your palate.

From humble beginnings to global fame, Mexican beer has been shaped by resilience, innovation, and craftsmanship. Whether you're cracking open a classic lager on the beach or sampling a bold new craft brew, every sip tells part of Mexico's incredible beer story - one rooted in history, with new chapters still being written.