Modelo Chelada Especial is not a straight lager and it does not pretend to be. It is a chelada: Modelo’s lager blended with tomato, salt and lime to make a ready-to-drink michelada out of the can. It is tangy, savory and completely divisive, the kind of drink people either reach for on repeat or bounce off after one sip. If you go in expecting a clean lager you will hate it. If you know what a michelada is, read on. Here is an honest look at what is in the tall can.
Modelo Chelada Especial at a glance
| Style | Flavored beer (chelada) |
| ABV | 3.5% |
| Calories | Around 110 per 12 fl oz |
| Carbs | Around 9g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Grupo Modelo, Mexico |
| Ingredients | Modelo lager, tomato, salt, lime and natural flavors |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, the base beer is brewed from barley |
| Typical price | Around $3 to $5 for a 24oz can in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is not a beer you rate on malt and hops. It lives on the savory-and-sour dials, with a tomato-forward tang that is the whole point.
The full review
It pours a cloudy red-orange, more like a tomato juice than a beer, with a thin head. The aroma is savory and tangy: tomato, lime and salt up front, with the lager underneath. If you have ever had a michelada in a bar, this is that smell in a can.
On the palate it is where it earns love or hate. The tomato and salt hit first, then a squeeze of lime acidity, and finally the light Modelo lager comes through to keep it from being pure juice. It is savory, a little sour and gently salty, closer to a snack than a session beer.
It works best ice cold, poured over ice, ideally with tacos or something spicy. On its own in the sun it is refreshing in a savory way that a normal beer is not. It is a specialty drink, and judged as one it does exactly what a canned michelada should.
Value is good for what it is. A single tall can is cheap and saves you building a michelada from scratch, which is most of the appeal. Just know what you are buying: this is a flavored chelada, not a clean lager.
A michelada in a can, and unapologetic about it.
- A genuine ready-to-drink michelada
- Savory, tangy and refreshing over ice
- Great with tacos and spicy food
- Cheap and convenient
- Completely divisive tomato-and-salt flavor
- Not a beer for lager drinkers
- Best over ice, not straight from the can
Who it is for
Michelada fans and anyone who likes a savory, tangy drink with spicy food. If you want the clean lager it is built on instead, try a Modelo Especial or a Pacifico.
Modelo Chelada Especial FAQs
What does Modelo Chelada taste like?
Savory and tangy, like a michelada: tomato and salt up front, a squeeze of lime acidity, and a light lager underneath. It tastes closer to a spiced tomato drink than a normal beer.
What is a chelada?
A chelada is beer mixed with lime and salt, and often tomato and spices, served over ice. Modelo Chelada is a ready-to-drink version made with tomato, salt and lime.
How strong is Modelo Chelada?
It is 3.5% ABV, lower than a standard lager because it is a flavored, diluted style.
Is Modelo Chelada a beer?
Yes, technically it is a flavored beer. It uses Modelo lager as the base and adds tomato, salt and lime.
Is Modelo Chelada vegan?
Yes. The Especial version uses tomato, salt and lime with no animal products such as clam.
Is Modelo Chelada gluten free?
No. The base beer is brewed from barley, so it contains gluten.
How should I serve Modelo Chelada?
Ice cold and poured over ice is best, ideally alongside tacos or other spicy food.
Is Modelo Chelada the same as Modelo Especial?
No. Modelo Especial is the clean pilsner-style lager. Modelo Chelada uses that beer as a base and adds tomato, salt and lime to make a michelada.
Where to buy Modelo Chelada Especial
Modelo Chelada is widely sold in the US, usually as a 24oz can, and you can have it delivered cold. Use the button above to check the current price.
The verdict
Modelo Chelada Especial is a proper canned michelada, and how much you like it comes down entirely to how you feel about a savory, tomato-and-lime take on beer. As a clean lager it makes no sense. As a ready-to-drink michelada with tacos it is genuinely good. Judged as what it is, a fair three point two out of five. See how it stacks up in our beer reviews and guides.
Modelo Chelada Especial is one of more than 50 we tasted. Browse the complete ranked list in our lager beer brands guide.
Modelo Chelada Especial is one of many we ranked. Browse the full list in our best Mexican lager guide.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Modelo Chelada Especial?
Modelo Chelada Especial is a Flavored beer (chelada), at 3.5% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Modelo Chelada Especial?
Modelo Chelada Especial has an ABV of 3.5%.
How many calories are in Modelo Chelada Especial?
Modelo Chelada Especial has Around 110 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Modelo Chelada Especial gluten free?
Modelo Chelada Especial: No, the base beer is brewed from barley.
Does Modelo Chelada Especial have carbs?
Yes, Modelo Chelada Especial has Around 9g per 12 fl oz. If you’re watching carbs, see our guide to the best low-carb beers.
How can I make Modelo Chelada 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.
How much does Modelo Chelada Especial cost?
Modelo Chelada Especial typically runs Around $3 to $5 for a 24oz can in the US. Check the button for live pricing. Check current pricing and availability through the buy link above.
How do I open Modelo Chelada 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 Modelo Chelada Especial?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for a Flavored beer (chelada) like Modelo Chelada Especial. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
