¡Salud! A Guide to Ordering a Beer in Mexico

Basic Spanish Phrases for Ordering a Beer

Me puedas dar un cerveza - Can you give me a beer

Una cerveza de (brand) - A beer of (brand)

Otra cerveza - Another beer

Por fa, Por favor - Please

Gracias, Muchas gracias - Thank you, Thank you very much

La cuenta, por favor - The bill, please

Salud! - Cheers!

Bonus: Una chela - slang for beer in Mexico.

Types of Beer: Mexican Brews

You'll be pleased to know that Mexico has a diverse range of beer types for you to choose from. If you prefer lighter beers, then you'll find lagers, pilsners and Vienna-style light beers that are perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day. But, if you're after something with a bit more complexity, then try a Munich-style dark beer or a Vienna-style dark beer.

For those who love trying new things, local microbreweries in Mexico produce a small selection of unique beers that you won't find anywhere else. Some of the most popular Mexican beer brands include Corona, Modelo, Pacifico, Victoria, Sol and Dos Equis. And if you're looking for the best beer in Mexico, the seasonal Cempasuchil from Victoria is a must-try. So, whether you like your beer light and refreshing or dark and chocolatey, there's a beer for everyone in Mexico. Cheers!

Mexican Style Beers

The story dates back to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, where European-style beers were introduced to Mexico. However, the original beers brewed in Mexico were essentially Vienna Lagers made by German and Austrian immigrants after the Mexican War of Independence. Fast forward to 1890, Cerveceria Cuauhtémoc, the first large-scale brewer, started producing a Czech-style Bohemian Pilsner. Today, Mexico has a deep brewing history and is one of the world's top beer-producing countries, with a large range and variety of beers. Mexican style lagers can refer to many different beers and have been controversial, but they continue to hold a special place in the hearts of both Mexicans and beer lovers worldwide.

‍

Types of Beer You Will Find In Mexico

Lagers: This is perhaps the most common type of beer worldwide. Lagers are brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast at low temperatures, which results in a clean and crisp taste. They tend to be golden or pale in color and have a milder flavor compared to other beers such as stouts or IPAs.

Ales: Unlike lagers, ale is fermented at higher temperatures using top-fermenting yeast strains. This results in a fruity or spicy flavor profile that's more robust than lager beers.

Pale ales: These have been around for centuries, originating in England during the 1700s. They typically have a golden to amber color with moderate hop bitterness and malt sweetness. The hops used in pale ales provide flavors and aromas ranging from floral to citrusy, making them easy drinking but still flavorful beers.

IPAs (India Pale Ales): These beers were first brewed in England as well but gained popularity in America during the craft beer boom of the 1990s. They have become known for their high hop bitterness, strong alcohol content, and bold flavors ranging from piney to fruity.

Pilsners: Pilsner is a type of beer that originated from the Czech city of Pilsen in the mid-19th century. It quickly became popular throughout Europe and eventually made its way to North America. The beer is characterized by its light color, crisp taste, and carbonation.

Dark beer is a type of beer that has a dark color and often a rich, malty flavor. There are various types of dark beers, each with its own unique characteristics. Some common examples include stouts, porters, brown ales, dunkels and schwarzbiers.

Stouts: These originally brewed in Ireland in the 18th century and has since become famous worldwide. Stout is characterized by its roasted malt flavor and hints of chocolate or coffee. It also tends to have a thick and creamy texture due to the use of nitrogen instead of carbon dioxide during the carbonation process.

Porters: These are another well-known type of dark beer that originated in England in the 18th century. Its name comes from its popularity among porters who would drink it as they carried goods around London's markets.

Vienna Styles: The key ingredient in Vienna style beer is Vienna malt, which gives it its distinct flavor and aroma. This malt is kilned at a slightly higher temperature than traditional pale malts, resulting in a richer, darker base for the brew. Other ingredients typically include noble hops, which provide a subtle bitterness and floral notes to balance out the sweetness of the malt.

One of the most notable examples of Vienna style beer is Negra Modelo, a Mexican lager that has gained popularity around the world.

‍