Skip to main content

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican-Style Lagers Brewed in the U.S.

Corona. Pacifico. Dos Equis. You see these beer labels at every Cinco de Mayo party and behind the bar at almost every Mexican restaurant. They fall into a beer classification known as the Mexican-style lager, which is identified through its clear (often golden) color, smooth mouthfeel, and a crisp, sweet, grain-forward flavor profile. They’re generally refreshing and uncomplicated with a relatively low percentage of alcohol by volume.

Interestingly enough, what we call the Mexican-style lager actually originated in Germany and Austria. Known in the Old World as the Vienna-style lager, it was imported to Mexico by immigrants in the mid 19th century. Now the style is taking another geographic turn and is being re-interpreted by craft brewers in the United States.

Recommended Videos

Why would craft brewers north of the border turn to the Mexican-style lager for inspiration? After all, many of these craft breweries have made their names by creating bitter India pale ales, robust stouts, or intensely flavorful beers with uncommon, creative ingredients. With its simple recipe and one-note flavor, Mexican-style lagers would seem to be the antithesis to the movement. The cynical answer to “why,” would be money. The two leading imported beer brands in the United States for 2017 were Corona Extra and Modelo Especial, accounting for 38 percent of that category. It makes sense to go after a piece of that pie.

The answer you’d actually hear from many brewers themselves, however, is that they actually enjoy drinking beers like Tecate and wanted to create their own version of the style. Regardless of the reason, here are three craft Mexican-style lagers brewed in the good ol’ USA.

El Sully by 21st Amendment Brewery
El Sully 21st Amendment Brewery
21st Amendment Brewery/Facebook

Available in cans, El Sully is only 4.8 percent ABV and perfectly suited for trips to the beach. It fits all of the classic Mexican-style lager tropes while managing to introduce a slightly more herbal flavor and brisk bite.

Beerito by Oskar Blues Brewery
Beerito Oskar Blues Brewery
Oskar Blues Brewery/Facebook

Another canned, low ABV option is Oskar Blues’ Beerito. Eschewing the expected golden hue for a deep amber, it reflects a more robust combination of malts and elicits notes of honey, toast and nuts.

Mexican Logger by Ska Brewing
Mexican Logger Ska Brewing
Ska Brewing/Facebook

Going all-in, Ska actually uses a yeast strain procured from an unidentified Mexico City brewery for its Mexican Logger. The use of Saaz hops elevates an otherwise faithful rendition of the style.

Whether it’s to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a day in the surf, a tasty taco or just to escape from summertime heat, Mexican-style lagers are the thirst quenching, refreshing beverage you crave. And thanks to locally-brewed options, you can support American craft brewers at the same time.

Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…
Gin goes with everything! From strawberries to carrot
The Connaught

As an avowed gin lover, one of the things I enjoy about the spirit is its ability to mix with a wide range of ingredients. It can do some much more than a Gin & Tonic, as depending on the botanicals used in a particular gin it can be combined with everything from herbal lushness to bracing bitterness to fruity sweetness.

A balanced gin like Fords is a great choice for mixing as it isn't overly sharp or bitter, but still has enough interest to add depth to any drink you make with it. These recipes from bartenders around the world show just how diverse gin drinks can be, combining ingredients from strawberries and coconut to carrot and grapefruit.

Read more
The best gin drinks: Our 5 favorites
The best gin cocktails for you to make at home
Gin cocktail

When it comes to spirits, there are none as unique as gin. When distilled, gin doesn’t have much flavor, save for the ingredients it’s made with. It’s not all that different from vodka. It’s the addition of juniper berries and various herbs and botanicals either in the distillation process itself (or a second distillation), through vapor infusion (the herbs and botanicals are hung in a basket in the still), or through maceration (adding the flavors to an already distilled gin) that give the gin its distinct, memorable aromas and flavors.

If you’ve ever had gin (or even sniffed it), you know the most potent ingredient is juniper berries. They are what gives gin its patented pine tree aroma and flavor. Other common ingredients include orris root, angelica root, orange peel, and licorice.
Our 5 favorite gin drinks

Read more
Give your gimlet a herbal twist with this vodka cocktail
Ghost Hill Organic Vodka

The Gimlet is one of those cocktails that is so simple and such a classic that it's easily overlooked. Whilst I lean toward a Gin Gimlet (and I have strong feelings like it should be made with fresh lime juice and sugar syrup rather than a pre-made lime cordial), you can also experiment with different spirits such as the also popular Vodka Gimlet.

The simple recipe is ripe for experimentation though, and especially when you are working with vodka, you have a lot of leeway to incorporate other ingredients to add more interest and unique personality to your drink. This recipe from Ghost Hill Organic Vodka showcases the smooth and clean notes of the spirit while also allowing space for the other ingredients to shine -- not only lime juice and simple syrup, but also the addition of sage leaves for a more herbal note.

Read more