Indio started life in 1893 as Cerveza Cuauhtemoc, brewed by what became Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma in Monterrey, Mexico, and was renamed Indio in 1905. It has stayed a Mexican staple ever since, a darker Vienna-style lager in a market dominated by pale lagers like Corona and Modelo.
At a Glance
| Style | Vienna Lager (dark) |
| ABV | 4.0-4.1% |
| Calories | ~150 per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma (Heineken Mexico), Monterrey, Mexico (launched 1893, renamed Indio in 1905) |
| Typical price | Around $9 to $12 for a six-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Indio pours a deep amber-brown, notably darker than most Mexican imports on US shelves. The aroma leans toward toasted caramel malt rather than the corn-and-lime profile drinkers associate with Corona or Modelo Especial.
The full review
On the palate, Indio delivers golden malt sweetness balanced by toasted caramel notes, with noticeably less bitterness than a hoppier lager. It is a fusion of golden malt and caramel character by design, aimed at drinkers who want more body than a pale Mexican lager without going as heavy as a bock. If pale lagers are more your speed, our best lager beers guide covers the lighter end of the spectrum.
It finishes clean and only mildly bitter, which keeps it drinkable in the same casual settings as its paler cousins, just with more malt character up front.
Indio is part of the same portfolio as Dos Equis and Sol under Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma (owned by Heineken), but it occupies its own niche as the darker, maltier option in that lineup.
“A dark horse in the Mexican lager aisle, more caramel malt, less lime-and-lager cliche.”, Beer Is My Life tasting notes
- More malt character than typical Mexican pale lagers
- Balanced sweetness with low bitterness
- Long, well-established brand (since 1893)
- Easy-drinking, sessionable ABV
- Less widely stocked in the US than Corona or Modelo
- Not a beer for hop-forward drinkers
- Can taste one-dimensional next to craft dark lagers
Who it is for
Drinkers who like Mexican lagers but want more malt depth than Corona or Modelo Especial offer. For the lighter, more familiar side of that category, see our Modelo Especial review.
How to serve Indio
Serve cold in the bottle or in a pilsner glass; it does not need a lime wedge the way its paler siblings often get served with one, since the malt character stands on its own.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Indio?
Indio is a dark Vienna-style lager brewed by Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma in Monterrey, Mexico.
How strong is Indio beer?
Indio is around 4.0% to 4.1% ABV, in line with most mainstream Mexican lagers.
Is Indio the same brewery as Dos Equis?
Yes. Indio is brewed by Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, the same brewery group (now owned by Heineken) behind Dos Equis, Sol and Tecate.
