Beer in Mexico: history, traditions and breweries
Today Mexico is the largest beer exporter in the world.
History
Long before barley beer, people here drank pulque made from fermented agave sap and tesgüino made from maize. Barley beer arrived with the Spanish.
Beer was first brewed from barley in New Spain as early as the 16th century, shortly after the conquest. For a long time, however, it remained a drink for the few; ordinary people drank pulque.
In the 19th century immigrants from Germany, Austria and Switzerland brought lager to Mexico; from 1864 to 1867 the country was even ruled by an Austrian emperor, Maximilian. Amber lagers such as Negra Modelo still recall Vienna lager today.
In 1865 the Swiss-born Agustín Marendaz founded a brewery in Toluca. Its beer, Victoria, is considered Mexico’s oldest beer brand and is still brewed today.
From 1890 large breweries appeared, including Cuauhtémoc in Monterrey and Moctezuma in Orizaba. Grupo Modelo followed in Mexico City in 1925 with the Corona brand. Today the big breweries belong to Heineken and AB InBev.
Today Mexico is the world’s largest beer exporter: Corona, Modelo and other brands go mainly to the USA.
Traditions and drinking culture
Beer is drunk ice-cold, often with lime or as a michelada with lime juice, salt and chilli. Since the 2010s a craft beer scene of its own has been growing too, especially in Baja California.
Fun facts
- Dos Equis means “two X”: the beer was first called “Siglo XX” and celebrated the arrival of the 20th century.
- Corona went on sale in 1925 and is now one of the best-known beer brands in the world.
- Victoria, Mexico’s oldest beer brand, goes back to a Swiss man: Agustín Marendaz founded the brewery in Toluca in 1865.
- Mexico exports more beer than any other country in the world.
- Bohemia, a brand from Monterrey, is named after Bohemia – the home of Pilsner.
Typical beer styles
Beer cities and their stories
Monterrey
The Cervecería Cuauhtémoc, founded in 1890, started with the Carta Blanca brand and made the city a centre of the brewing industry.
Orizaba
The German brewer Wilhelm Hasse founded the Moctezuma brewery here. Around the turn of the century he brewed “Siglo XX”, today’s Dos Equis.
Mexico City
Grupo Modelo has brewed here since 1925; Corona went on sale the same year.
Tecate
The beer of the same name was created in this border town in Baja California in the 1940s. It was one of the first Mexican beers in cans.
Ensenada and Tijuana
A lively craft beer scene has developed in Baja California.
Toluca
In this city west of Mexico City the Swiss-born Agustín Marendaz founded the brewery in 1865 that makes Victoria beer.
Breweries and their stories
Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma
Started with Carta Blanca; the group now also includes Tecate, Dos Equis, Sol and Indio. It has belonged to Heineken since 2010.
Known for: Carta Blanca, Dos Equis, Sol, Indio, Bohemia
Grupo Modelo
Brews Corona, Modelo and Pacífico. Modelo has belonged to AB InBev since 2013.
Known for: Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacífico
Tecate
Alberto V. Aldrete created the beer in the 1940s in the border town of Tecate.
Known for: Tecate
Timeline
- 1864Mexico City
The Austrian Maximilian rules as Emperor of Mexico until 1867. Amber lagers such as Negra Modelo still recall Vienna lager today.
- 1865Toluca
The Swiss-born Agustín Marendaz founds a brewery in Toluca; its beer, Victoria, is still Mexico’s oldest beer brand.
- 1890Monterrey
The Cervecería Cuauhtémoc starts with the Carta Blanca brand and makes Monterrey a centre of the brewing industry.
- around 1900Orizaba
At the turn of the century Wilhelm Hasse brews “Siglo XX” in Orizaba – today’s Dos Equis, “two Xs”.
- 1925Mexico City
Grupo Modelo starts brewing, and Corona is launched.
- 1940sTecate
The beer of the same name is created in the border town of Tecate.
- 2010Monterrey
Heineken takes over the Monterrey brewery with brands such as Tecate, Dos Equis and Sol.
- 2013Mexico City
Grupo Modelo, with Corona, becomes part of AB InBev.
- 2010sEnsenada and Tijuana
A lively craft beer scene grows in Baja California.
- todaywhole country
Mexico is the world’s largest beer exporter.