Walk into almost any bar in America and the Mexican lager section looks the same: Corona, Modelo, Pacifico, Tecate, and Victoria, five pale lagers built for hot weather, lime wedges, and not overthinking the pour. Here is what actually separates them.
1. Corona Extra
Corona Extra is the best-selling Mexican beer in the US, brewed by Cerveceria Modelo since 1925. At 4.6% ABV it is pale, light-bodied, and almost bitterness-free, built around the lime wedge that has become as much a part of the brand as the beer itself. It leans the least toward actual malt flavor of the five, which is exactly why it works as a beach-cooler default.
2. Modelo Especial
Modelo Especial overtook Corona as the best-selling Mexican import in the US in recent years. At 4.4% ABV it is fuller-bodied than Corona, with a light hop character and a hint of orange blossom honey in the malt. It is the closer-to-a-standard-lager option of the group, and the one bartenders reach for when someone wants a Mexican beer without the lime ritual attached.
If you want Modelo with the lime and salt already built in, our Modelo Chelada Especial review covers the canned michelada version.
3. Pacifico Clara
Pacifico was discovered by American surfers on the Baja coast in the 1970s and built its US following that way, long before big-box distribution caught up. It is a pilsner-style lager brewed in Mazatlan since 1900, with a crisp, grassy-citrus edge that is slightly more assertive than Corona’s. It is the pick most associated with seafood pairings, grilled shrimp and Baja-style tacos in particular.
4. Tecate Original
Tecate has been brewed in its namesake town since 1944 and carries the most bitterness of the group at a medium level, with a crisp malt flavor and a clean finish. It is heavily tied to Mexican soccer and music sponsorships in its marketing, and tends to be the can you see stacked highest at large gatherings and tailgates rather than sipped slowly.
5. Victoria
Victoria is the oldest brand on this list, founded in 1865, making it Mexico’s first beer brand. It is an amber lager rather than a pale one, with more caramel malt sweetness and a deeper color than the other four. It has become the most popular beer brand inside Mexico itself in recent buzz-score surveys, even though it trails the pale lagers in US export volume.
Want a darker option from a different part of the world? Our Best Dark Beer Brands roundup covers stouts and schwarzbiers worth knowing.
FAQs
What is the best-selling Mexican beer in the US?
Modelo Especial has overtaken Corona Extra as the best-selling Mexican import in the US in recent years, though Corona remains close behind and is the more globally recognized brand.
Which Mexican beer is darker or has more flavor?
Victoria is the amber, more caramel-forward option of the group. The other four (Corona, Modelo, Pacifico and Tecate) are all pale lagers with lighter malt character.
Why do people put lime in Mexican beer?
The lime tradition is most closely tied to Corona’s marketing, though it has spread across the category. It adds acidity and a citrus aroma to otherwise very light, neutral pale lagers.
Are all these Mexican beers owned by the same company?
No. Modelo Especial, Corona and Pacifico are all owned by Grupo Modelo (part of AB InBev), while Tecate and Victoria are owned by Heineken Mexico (formerly Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma).
