Macro-brewed Mexican style lagers are extremely popular here in the United States, and they are just as popular all across the globe. Many local Seattle area breweries have experimented with this style of beer, which may beg the question, what exactly is a Mexican Lager? We take an in-depth look at this popular style of brew and discuss the ins and outs of what sets it apart from other styles of beer.
What Is a Mexican Lager?
The term can prove to be pretty controversial when talking to beer enthusiasts, with many unable to pinpoint a definitive answer. Generally, Mexican-style lagers are clean and pale, with high clarity and low bitterness. They tend to be refreshing with light flavors without being overly sweet. Perfect for easy and casual drinking in the sun with their generally low ABV.
These types of Mexican beers have a long history and originated as Vienna Lager. With corn being abundant and inexpensive in Mexico, it was added to the mix in the form of flaked maize. Its addition slightly dries out the beer to create a subtle crispness, and because of its low protein content, it boosts clarity. Today, many Mexican-style lagers use Pilsner or Vienna malts in their recipe.
History
The people of Mexico have been brewing fermented beverages, using honey, corn, agave, and other plants for over 1000 years. Before European influences, the people of Mexico were brewing Pulque. Pulque, which is still sold today, is a thick, milky alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of the maguey or agave plant. The Spanish introduced barley and wheat-based beers to Mexico. There was an attempt to brew these early European-style beers, but due to the lack of necessary grains, and the taxes enforced by Spain, production was short-lived.
The origins of the beer we know and love today can be traced back to the 19th century when German and Austrian immigrants began to settle in Mexico. They brought with them their home-land lager recipes. Soon enough, Vienna lager brewed with locally farmed maize became the brew of choice for many immigrants and natives alike.
The first major brewery was opened in 1890 by Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc. In the early 20th century, Mexican beer production was booming, helped by the American Prohibition, and there were dozens of smaller, independent Mexican breweries doing very well. However, soon enough, the competition became too fierce. After some consolidation, there were only two big breweries left standing, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, now owned by the Heineken Group, and Grupo Modelo, now an AB InBev-owned group.
Today
Today, Mexico is the world's largest beer exporter. They sell more than $4 billion worth of beer annually. Around ninety percent of this market is owned by the two groups Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma and Grupo Modelo. Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma produces a range of popular and well known beers, including Sol, Carta Blanca, Tecate, Bohemia, and Dos Equis. Grupo Modelo's popular exports include Corona, Pacifico, Modelo, and Victoria. These groups directly employ around 90,000 people in Mexico and indirectly around 800,000 people.
Luckily, with the help of the surging American craft beer scene, there are more and more craft breweries popping up all over Mexico. Generally, avid craft beer enthusiasts want a little more complexity from that offered by the Macro brews. Therefore, both Mexican and American craft breweries are taking on the challenge of producing a Mexican-style lager that's crisp, light, easy to drink, and packs a little more oomph than its macro siblings. Our own Lowercase Brewing Mexican Beer has proved extremely popular.
Types of Mexican Beer
In Mexico, the vast majority of beers produced are lagers, pilsners, Vienna-style beers – both light and dark, along with Munich dark beers. To find other beers, you would have to find local micro-brewers who may produce different types of beer. Some brewpubs and bistros in the bigger towns and cities sell artisanal beers from local craft breweries.
What's With the Lime?
Many people associate Mexican beer with a wedge of lime. Does the practice of pushing a wedge of lime down the neck of bottled beer originate with clever Corona marketing, or does it run deeper? There are many theories and explanations for this practice. Some say that the lime disinfects the bottle top, others say the citrus keeps away the flies, or that a single person started a nationwide trend on a bet.
There doesn't seem to be a unified answer on this, but it does seem apparent that the bottle stuffing trend did not originate in Mexico, although, the idea of adding lime to beer may have. A Chelada is a popular beer drink across Mexico, mixing beer, lime juice, salt, and ice. Whatever the origin, there's no argument against the fact that it does add some welcome zingy citrus flavor.
Popular Seasonal Offerings
In the summer months, light and fruity beers become popular with both seasoned beer drinkers and casual sippers. It seems a no-brainer that many U.S breweries would adopt the Mexican style techniques and ingredients when producing their summer beer offerings. The ever-growing appreciation of the Mexican culture and its associations with sunshine, festivals, and bright colors, and the fact that Mexican style lager tends to be light and refreshing, makes it a perfect summer beverage.
We've seen a number of breweries adding traditional Mexican ingredients like agave, lime, sea salt, hibiscus, and watermelon to their mix to create beautiful summer style, thirst-quenching lagers.
Michelada – A Mexican Beer Cocktail
Michelada is a hugely popular drink or cocktail that is enjoyed across Mexico. Traditionally, it is served with fresh lime juice in an iced beer glass with salt around the rim. There are many variations to be found across the country. A Michelada Cubana adds additional ingredients such as Maggi seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce, or peppers like cayenne pepper or powdered chile. The addition of tomato juice is not part of the traditional recipe, although it is delicious and is widely served across Mexico and the U.S.
It is so popular, in fact, that many of the big breweries have produced ready-to-drink Micheladas, with sales exploding year by year. Brands such as Bud, Tecate, and Modelo have all released Michelada-style drinks, with different flavors added to the lineup regularly. Many microbreweries have also experimented with creating Micheladas.
Where To Find Mexican Style Lager in Seattle
Here at Lowercase Brewing, our Mexican offering is modeled after the authentic beverage brewed south of the border. It's a lighter brew packed with tons of flavor. It is brewed in the style of a Vienna Lager. The traditional German yeast is given time to create a beautiful amber lager. Perhaps darker than expected, it is still everything you would expect from a macro brewed lager, just tastier. Why not pull up a stool in our Seattle tap house and try this and 13 other beers on tap.
There are many other places to grab a locally crafted Mexican-style lager. Our friends at Two Beers Brewery make a great one, as do Rooftop Brewing Company. Alternatively, search your local bottle shop for Mexican-style lagers from other craft breweries across the country.
If you'd like to learn more about Mexican style lager, visit Lowercase Brewing online or stop by our taproom at 6235 Airport Way South. We'll have a cold one waiting for you.
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