Beers Like Modelo (Similar Tastes, Flavors and Styles You’ll Like!)

Did you know that Modelo is the 8th most popular beer in America as rated in a recent poll? Do you love yourself some Modelo but also want to check out similar beers and styles?

Modelo is a Mexican Lager with a slightly sweet and mild corn taste balanced with a subtle hop finish. Great beers that taste like Modelo include Corona, Dos Equis, Tecate, Sol, Victoria, and more. Styles similar to Mexican Lagers include Blonde Ales and German-style Pilsners.

There are a large number of great beers that you will like if you enjoy Corona. Keep reading to learn more as well as what new styles you might like.

What type of beer is Modelo?

Modelo is one of the most famous international examples of the Mexican Lager and it includes a sweet, slightly corn-like taste with a crisp finish balanced by light hop flavor. Sometimes paired with lime or salt, Modelo is meant to be a highly drinkable, refreshing beer.

Modelo is a very popular Mexican Lager and millions of people enjoy it throughout the world. In fact, a recent YouGov survey lists Modelo as the 8th most popular beer overall in the US as well as the 2nd most popular Mexican Lager. Brewed by Grupo Modelo, Modelo has been available in the US since 1990.

In addition to the Modelo Especial flagship, you’ll also find the Modelo Negra as well as a huge lineup of cheladas mixed with fun and interesting flavors like pina picante and mango chili.

Flavor profile and tasting notes

Most Mexican lagers will feature a similar flavor profile that focuses on refreshing drinkability.

Modelo is the second most famous example of the Mexican Lager style and it is known for a bubbly and crisp mouthfeel, sweetness, corn-like taste, and a light hop finish. It is sometimes paired with a lime and/or salt to provide an extra punch of citrus flavor but that is totally optional!

As with most Mexican Lagers, or any beer that comes in a clear bottle for that matter, it is recommended that you enjoy Modelo from a can to get the best flavor possible. Unfortunately, beer in clear bottles is susceptible to increased oxidation which leads to an off-flavor known as lightstruck.

To read more about the flavor profile of Modelo and how to make your own, head over to our article on the topic.

Other Mexican lagers similar to Modelo

Modelo is a super tasty beer but if you are getting tired of it or just want to try something new then you might be a bit lost as to where to turn. Fortunately, I’ve prepared a list of beers similar to Modelo but still in the same style!

Here are the best Mexican lagers to try if you like Modelo:

  • Tecate
  • Corona
  • Cerveza Pacífico Clara
  • Dos Equis Lager Especial
  • Presidente
  • Buenaveza Salt & Lime
  • Victoria
  • Sol
  • Carta Blanca
  • Estrella Jalisco

Tecate

This 4.5% ABV Mexican adjunct lager will quench your thirst like no other. The brewery in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico has been making Tecate beer for over 60 years. In those 60 years, they have continued to make a great beer.

Tecate has a mild malt body with some light hop bitterness. It finishes clean and crisp. Like Modelo, this is a great beer to pair with Mexican cuisine. You can find Tecate nearly everywhere in the US.

Corona Extra

Corona is one of the most popular beers in America and likely the most popular Mexican Lager in the world.

If you haven’t had it, Corona has light citrus and honey flavor with an even balance of hop and malt flavors which is typically served with lime and sometimes salt.

If you want a more in-depth look, check out this article all about what Corona tastes like!

Oh, by the way, pick up a pack of Corona in a can rather than a bottle – trust me!

Cerveza Pacífico Clara

Better known simply as Pacífico, this beer sits at 4.4% ABV and 18 IBUs. Pacífico is a light and refreshing pilsner-style Mexican Lager. Its quality barley and hops give it a bready backbone with some light fruity sweetness. The balance and finish are well done.

Luckily, these days you don’t have to rely on surfers to bring this beer to the States. You can find Pacífico in any store that sells beer.

Dos Equis Lager Especial

Everyone who’s ever watched TV from 2006 to 2016 knows that the Most Interesting Man in the World drinks Dos Equis. And world-famous ad campaign aside, it’s a pretty good beer. Dos Equis is lighter than the others on this list at 4.2% ABV and 10 IBUs.

This beer is a great choice for cooling down after a long hot day. It goes well with a variety of foods. The main flavor profile is light and refreshing with some hints of corn, citrus, and hop bitterness. 

You can find Dos Equis wherever you buy beer. It is available year-round in cans and bottles.

Presidente

Next is an adjunct lager from the Dominican Republic. Brewed by the Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, this beer has 5% ABV. It is a light beer with cracker-like malt notes, corn, and some malt sweetness. Overall it is a refreshing beer without overpowering sweetness or bitterness.

Unlike most of the beers on this list, Presidente is a little harder to find. It is mostly available on the East Coast in places like New York, Massachusetts, and Florida. Check your local liquor stores to see if they sell Presidente.

Buenaveza Salt & Lime

From San Diego, California, and Stone Brewing comes Buenaveza Salt & Lime. This 4.7% ABV lager was inspired by many of the Mexican lagers on this list. Since most of them are improved by a lime garnish, this beer aims for salt and lime flavors.

This beer has definite notes of lime, salt, malt sweetness, and some light hops. Even with this full flavor profile, it still manages to be light and refreshing. You can find it throughout the US wherever you buy beer.

Victoria

If you like Modelo, here is another beer from the Modelo Group. Victoria is a Vienna-style lager with a slightly stronger flavor profile than some Mexican lagers. It has a 4% ABV and is malt forward. In addition to the malty flavor, there are some decent hop notes. 

You can pick up a case of Victoria in nearly any liquor store across the States. 

Sol

Named after the source of life as we know it, Sol is a great beer for cooling down. It is crisp, refreshing, and smooth. This golden beer has 4.5% ABV and 138 calories in a 12 oz. serving. The primary flavor notes include malted grains, citrus, and some fruity sweetness.

Sol is available in nearly any store that sells beer in the US. It goes well with plenty of dishes, especially Mexican cuisine.

Carta Blanca

This Mexican lager from Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma has a 4.5% ABV. It is meant to be a great beer for a long day or a tasty meal. The flavor profile is dominated by malt sweetness yet it still finishes crisp and clean. 

Carta Blanca is not available everywhere, but it is available in most states. Be sure to check your local liquor store for it. 

Estrella Jalisco

Last but not least is the 4.5% ABV Mexican Lager Estrella Jalisco. This refreshing beer prides itself on quenching your thirst and having a clean finish. It is slightly sweet but still has some hop bitterness. 

Estrella Jalisco won’t be in every liquor store, but you can find it in select stores across the States.

Other beer styles you might like if you love Modelo

If you feel like shaking up your taste buds even more you can branch out to different beer styles. Plenty of them will provide the same refreshing crispness of a good Modelo. Each of these styles provides a wealth of new beers for you to try.

Here are some beer styles you might like if you drink Modelo:

  • German-Style Pilsners
  • American Light Lagers
  • English-Style Bitters
  • Vienna Amber Lager
  • Blonde Ales

German-Style Pilsners

This style should be right up your alley since most Mexican lagers are inspired by German-style pilsners. Beers in this style are characterized by moderate hops (usually noble hops), light malted breadiness, and a lack of esters or phenols.

A good German-style pilsner is light and easy to drink. Typical ABVs range between 4.5-5.3%. These beers will have a higher IBU count than Modelo, but similar flavor profiles. A good commercial example is Samuel Adams Noble Pils.

American Light Lagers

If you drink Mexican lagers like Modelo, chances are you’ve had some American lagers as well. This style is characterized by light hop notes, grainy malts, with some fruity esters. Not all American lagers will have fruity notes, but it is somewhat common to the style.

This style also includes the American adjunct lager that is so common in macro breweries. It is a very similar style to Modelo and other Mexican Lagers. Typical American lagers will have a similar ABV to a Mexican Lager. 

A good example of an American Lager is Longboard Island lager from Kona brewing.

English-Style Bitters

For something a little further away from Modelo, but still very sessionable, go with an English bitter. These beers are usually focused on malt flavors with some hop bitterness either low to decent depending on the beer. They will also commonly have fruity notes from esters.

English bitters are typically lower in alcohol content, roughly 3-4.5% ABV. The hops and fruity notes of this style are fairly different from Corona. However, the malty base should make it less of a huge difference. 

A great example of an English bitter is London Pride from Fuller’s Brewery.

Vienna Amber Lagers

Though often darker in appearance than Modelo, a Vienna Style Lager is another great style to try. It is characterized by roasted malts with a hint of malt sweetness. Hops are present but are often mild. This style is not especially high in IBUs. 

The ABV of this style is rather average at 4.4% to 5.5%. The primary difference between this style and Modelo is the strength of the malt flavors. A notable example of the style is Eliot Ness from Great Lakes Brewing.

Blonde Ales

Lastly, you should also give blonde ales a try if you have not. A typical Blonde has light malt notes, light hops, and some hints of fruity esters. This style is very drinkable. IBUs for this style will be very similar to many Mexican Lagers.

A Blonde ale will likely have an ABV between 4.1% and 5.1%. This style is great for refreshing brews after a long day. A good example of the style is Summer Love from Victory Brewing.