Dos Equis Especial is the green-bottle Mexican lager behind the Most Interesting Man in the World campaign, brewed in Mexico since 1897. It is a pale lager built for heat: light, clean and crisp, with just enough character to stand up to spicy food and a squeeze of lime. It sits alongside Corona and Modelo in the fridge for good reason, and this review explains where it lands, along with the stats and where to buy it.
Dos Equis Especial at a glance
| Style | Mexican pale lager |
| ABV | 4.2% |
| Calories | Around 130 per 12 fl oz |
| Carbs | Around 10.5g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma (Heineken), Mexico |
| Ingredients | Water, barley malt, non-malted cereals, hops, yeast |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, it is brewed from barley |
| Typical price | Around $9 to $13 for a 6-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Especial is a classic warm-weather lager, light and crisp with a clean finish and just a touch of grainy sweetness.
The full review
It pours pale straw-gold and very clear, with a quick white head. The aroma is light and clean, a little grainy with a faint sweetness and just a whisper of hops. It smells like a beer that is going to be easy.
On the palate it is light-bodied, crisp and dry, with a soft grain sweetness up front and a clean, gently bitter finish. There is a touch more hop presence than a Corona, which gives it a little more definition without ever getting heavy.
This is a beer that comes alive cold and in the sun. Its whole job is refreshment, and it does that well, cutting through spicy food and salty snacks without getting in the way. A wedge of lime suits it, though it does not need one the way some Mexican lagers do.
Value is fair for an imported lager. It costs a little more than the domestic macros but delivers a clean, dependable, sunshine-ready beer that is a genuine step up in crispness.
A clean, sunlit lager that knows exactly what it is for.
- Very crisp, clean and refreshing
- Light body suits heat and spicy food
- A bit more hop definition than Corona
- Widely available in bottles and cans
- Light on malt and body
- Not a beer for slow sipping
- Costs a little more as an import
Who it is for
Anyone who wants a light, crisp Mexican lager for warm weather, tacos and easy drinking. If you like this, a Modelo Especial or a Corona Extra are the obvious comparisons.
Dos Equis Especial FAQs
What does Dos Equis Especial taste like?
Light, crisp and clean with a soft grain sweetness and a gently bitter finish. Refreshing rather than flavorful, with a touch more hop character than Corona.
Is Dos Equis Especial a lager?
Yes, it is a Mexican pale lager. Dos Equis also makes an Ambar, which is a darker Vienna-style amber lager.
How strong is Dos Equis Especial?
It is 4.2% ABV, on the lighter side for a lager.
How many calories are in Dos Equis Especial?
Around 130 calories per 12 fl oz, with roughly 10.5g of carbs.
What is the difference between Dos Equis Especial and Ambar?
Especial is the pale, crisp green-bottle lager. Ambar is a darker, maltier Vienna-style amber lager in the brown bottle.
Is Dos Equis vegan?
Yes. It is made from water, barley malt, cereals, hops and yeast with no animal products.
Is Dos Equis gluten free?
No. It is brewed from barley, so it contains gluten.
Where is Dos Equis brewed?
In Mexico, by Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, now part of Heineken, where it has been made since 1897.
Where to buy Dos Equis Especial
Dos Equis is sold across the US and you can have it delivered cold. Use the button above to check the current price.
The verdict
Dos Equis Especial is a clean, crisp, sunlit Mexican lager that does refreshment better than most. It is light on body and it will never be a sipping beer, but with a bit more hop definition than Corona and a genuinely crisp finish it is one of the better warm-weather lagers on the shelf. A solid three point five out of five. See how it stacks up in our beer reviews and guides.
Want to see how Dos Equis Especial stacks up against the rest? See our full best lagers guide.
For more like this, see our guide to the best Mexican lagers.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Dos Equis Especial?
Dos Equis Especial is a Mexican pale lager, at 4.2% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Dos Equis Especial?
Dos Equis Especial has an ABV of 4.2%.
How many calories are in Dos Equis Especial?
Dos Equis Especial has Around 130 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Dos Equis Especial gluten free?
Dos Equis Especial: No, it is brewed from barley.
Does Dos Equis Especial have carbs?
Yes, Dos Equis Especial has Around 10.5g per 12 fl oz. If you’re watching carbs, see our guide to the best low-carb beers.
How can I make Dos Equis Especial taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
What is a good alternative to Dos Equis Especial?
If you can’t find Dos Equis Especial, Corona Extra is a close alternative in the same Mexican pale lager category.
How much does Dos Equis Especial cost?
Dos Equis Especial typically runs Around $9 to $13 for a 6-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing. Check current pricing and availability through the buy link above.
How do I open Dos Equis Especial without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Dos Equis Especial?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for a Mexican pale lager like Dos Equis Especial. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
