Most people have a go-to Mexican Lager that they enjoy most on a hot summer day and while Cerveza Pacifico Clara isn’t the most popular one out there it still has a devoted following.
Cerveza Pacifico Clara is a Pilsner-style Mexican Lager
Modelo is a Mexican Lager with a bready and slightly sweet, mild corn taste balanced with a moderate hop bitterness and subtle hop finish with 4.5% ABV. Great beers that taste like Pacifico include Corona, Dos Equis, Tecate, Sol, Victoria, and more. Styles similar to Mexican Lagers include Blonde Ales and German-style Pilsners.
If you enjoy Pacifico but want to experiment with other options in the same style or even branch out to new beer styles similar to Mexican Lagers keep reading!
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.
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What type of beer is Pacifico?
Pacifico is a lesser-known but excellent example of a Mexican pilsner-style beer that includes a slightly bready, corn-like sweetness paired with faintly floral hops and a moderate amount of bitterness for the style. Pacifico is best enjoyed from a can or draft and pairs nicely with lime and a salted rim.
Pacifico, or La Cerveza del Pacifico Clara, might not be as well known as some others in the style but it is fairly popular on the West Coast of the United States. Brewed since 1900, the beer is now produced by Grupo Modelo out of Mexico.
In addition to the Cerveza Pacifico Clara, you’ll also find the Pacifico Ballena and the Pacifico Citrus Agave in some regions.
Flavor profile and tasting notes
Most Mexican lagers will feature a similar flavor profile that focuses on refreshing drinkability.
Pacifico is a good representation of the pilsner-style Mexican Lager category of beers that features a smooth, clean, and refreshing taste meant to be easily approachable and drinkable. Tastes slightly sweet with notes of corn, rice, and bread paired with a faint hop aroma, slight bitterness, and bright carbonation. Adding a lime and/or salt can help provide more depth of flavor and increase its thirst-quenching properties.
As with most Mexican Lagers, or any beer that comes in a clear bottle for that matter, it is recommended that you enjoy Pacifico from a can to get the best flavor possible. Unfortunately, light beers stored in bottles, even brown bottles, are susceptible to increased oxidation which leads to an off-flavor known as lightstruck.
Other Mexican lagers similar to Pacifico
Pacifico 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 Pacifico but still in the same style!
Here are the best Mexican lagers to try if you like Cerveza Pacifico Clara:
- Tecate
- Corona
- Modelo
- 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!
Modelo Especial
The Modelo Group brews Modelo Especial for those with a fighting spirit.
As a Mexican lager, it shoots for a full flavor profile with a light feel. Notable flavors in this 4.4% beer are light corn, barley malt, and hints of grass.
You can find this beer year-round in most, if not all, liquor stores. It is a good beer for a hot afternoon of yard work.Â
If you want a more in-depth look, check out this article all about what Modelo tastes like!
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.
If you want a more in-depth look, check out this article all about what Dos Equis tastes like!
Presidente
Next is an adjunct lager from the Dominican Republic. Brewed by the CervecerÃa 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 CervecerÃa 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 Pacifico, 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 Pacifico and other Mexican Lagers. Typical American lagers will have a similar ABV to a Mexican Lager.Â
A good example of an American Lager is Longboard Island lager from Kona brewing.
English-Style Bitters
For something a little further away from Pacifico, 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 Pacifico, 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.Â
The ABV of this style is rather average at 4.4% to 5.5%. The primary difference between this style and Pacifico 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.