Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, from which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Ale Affair.
Have you ever tried to pair your taco with wine? Yeah, neither did we—because nothing beats the refreshing crack of a cold beer with Mexican food. Sure, you could go for a classic margarita, but this is not called ‘Margarita Affair’. So, whether you’re diving into cheesy enchiladas or savouring some spicy carne asada, choosing the best beer for Mexican food can turn a good meal into a fiesta. But with so many brews out there, where do you start? Don’t worry; we’ve got your back (and your beer).
Why Beer and Mexican Food Are a Match Made in Heaven
When you think about Mexican food, you can picture vibrant, tasty dishes filled with spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients. From tacos to enchiladas, Mexican cuisine is all about mixing bold flavours to create ultimate deliciousness. And what’s a better way to enjoy these bold dishes than with a cold, refreshing ‘cerveza’?
It’s A Cultural Tradition, So Drink It
Mexican beer has a long history, dating back to when European settlers arrived in the 16th century. Today, Mexico is a major beer producer known for its light, refreshing lagers that go perfectly with food. From the famous Corona to the darker Modelo Negra, Mexican beers are crafted to be easy to drink and go amazingly well with the varied flavours of Mexican cuisine.
Beer Can Balance the Heat
Let’s talk about the fiery kick of Mexican cuisine! From habaneros to chipotle sauces, spicy dishes are a staple. But fear not because beer is here to put out the fires. With its cooling effect and the way its fizz enhances the flavours, it’s the perfect pairing to make those spicy dishes more enjoyable without overwhelming your taste buds.
Best Beer for Tacos: Top Pairings to Elevate Your Taco Game
Tacos are like the superheroes of Mexican street food – versatile, flavourful, and customisable. Whether you’re into smoking those meats, fresh seafood, or vibrant vegetables, tacos are a friend indeed. And what could make this experience even better? The perfect beer! Let’s discover some of the best beer options to go with your favourite tacos.
Carnitas Tacos: Best Beer Pairing Options
With its slow-cooked, juicy pork, Carnitas is all about rich, savoury flavour and crispy, caramelised edges. To complement this, you’ll want a beer that can stand up to the meat’s intensity without overpowering it.
- Recommended Beer: Amber Ale or Vienna Lager.
- Why it works: The malty sweetness of an amber ale or a Vienna lager pairs beautifully with the savoury pork, balancing the richness with a touch of toasty caramel notes. These beers have enough body to enhance the meaty flavours while remaining smooth and drinkable.
Fish Tacos: The Perfect Beer to Balance Flavours
Fish tacos are a light, fresh alternative, often featuring crispy or grilled fish topped with crunchy slaw, tangy lime, and creamy sauces. You need a crisp, refreshing beer capable of complementing these mild flavours without overwhelming them.
- Recommended Beer: Pilsner or Wheat Beer
- Why it works: A pilsner, with its clean, crisp profile, is perfect for cutting through the richness of the fish and the creaminess of the sauce. Wheat beers, like a Belgian-style witbier, offer a subtle citrus note that mirrors the taco’s lime, enhancing the freshness.
Carne Asada Tacos: Recommended Beers for a Robust Flavour
Carne asada is all about bold, grilled steak flavours, often marinated in citrus and spices, to create a savoury, slightly smoky taste. Pairing a beer with this robust dish calls for something that can complement the meat’s intensity while refreshing your palate.
- Recommended Beer: IPA or Dark Lager
- Why it works: The hoppy bitterness of an IPA cuts through the fat of the steak, providing a refreshing contrast that cleanses the palate between bites. If you prefer something less bitter, a dark lager offers a toasty caramel flavour that pairs wonderfully with the charred, smoky notes of carne asada.
Vegetarian Tacos: Light and Crisp Beer Choices
I was a veggie for three years, and I know that vegetarian tacos can be just as flavourful as their meat-filled counterparts, often loaded with grilled vegetables, beans, cheese, and vibrant salsas. The key to pairing beer with veggie tacos is to choose something that enhances the freshness and variety of flavours without overpowering the delicate ingredients.
- Recommended Beer: Blonde Ale or Session IPA
- Why it works: Blonde ales are light, slightly fruity, and easy-drinking, making them a great match for the fresh, bright flavours of vegetarian tacos. A session IPA, with its lower alcohol content and lighter hop profile, offers a refreshing bitterness that complements the earthiness of the veggies while keeping things balanced.
Shrimp Tacos: Pairing the Salty Sweetness
Shrimp tacos bring a unique mix of sweet, salty seafood flavours, often paired with tangy lime, spicy salsas, and creamy avocado. The right beer pairing should enhance the shrimp’s sweetness while balancing the heat and acidity.
- Recommended Beer: Pale Ale or Mexican Lager
- Why it works: Pale ales offer a mild hop bitterness and slight citrus notes that enhance the shrimp’s natural sweetness and play well with the lime and spice. A classic Mexican lager, like Pacifico Clara, is light and crisp, making it a perfect partner for shrimp tacos without overshadowing the delicate seafood flavours.
Best Beer for Enchiladas & Fajitas
Switching gear slightly, let’s move away from the tacos and explore some of the other glorious dishes you can have. We can enjoy the cheesy, saucy goodness of enchiladas, the sizzling delight of fajitas, and lo-and-behold, the right beer can take your meal to the next level. Let me show you how.
Enchiladas: Ideal for Cheese, Chicken, and Beef Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a comfort food classic, one that I have almost weekly. They typically feature tortillas rolled around a filling and smothered in sauce and cheese. Whether you’re enjoying cheesy chicken or beef enchiladas, the key is to pair them with a beer that can complement the dish’s richness.
- Enchiladas: Recommended Beer: Pale Ale or Amber Ale
- Why it works: Cheese enchiladas are rich and savoury, with the cheese providing a creamy texture and the sauce adding a burst of flavour. A pale ale offers a light, hoppy bitterness that cuts through the richness, while an amber ale provides a malty sweetness that enhances the dish’s savoury notes.
- Chicken Enchiladas: Recommended Beer: Lager or Pilsner
- Why it works: Chicken enchiladas are often lighter in flavour than beef or cheese versions. A crisp lager or pilsner contrasts the mild, tender chicken and tangy sauce, keeping the palate clean and enhancing the dish’s subtle flavours.
- Beef Enchiladas: Recommended Beer: Brown Ale or Dark Lager
- Why it works: Beef enchiladas are just incredible. Whether you have ground beef or beef chunks, brown ale or dark lager complements the beef’s richness.
Fajitas: Best Beer Options for Chicken, Steak, and Veggie Fajitas
Fajitas are all about the sizzle—whether it’s chicken, steak, or veggies, these grilled delights are served with a mix of sautéed onions, peppers, and various toppings. I don’t have to tell you twice that the right beer with fajitas can enhance the grilled, smoky flavours.
- Chicken Fajitas: Recommended Beer: Wheat Beer or Blonde Ale
- Why it works: Chicken fajitas, with their lighter, citrus-marinated meat, pair beautifully with a wheat beer or blonde ale. These beers are light and slightly fruity, complementing the fresh flavours of the chicken and sautéed veggies.
- Steak Fajitas: Recommended Beer: IPA or Porter
- Why it works: Steak fajitas are rich and flavourful, with charred, smoky notes from the grill. An IPA, with its bold hop bitterness, cuts through the richness of the steak, while a porter, with its roasted malt character, enhances the smoky flavours.
- Veggie Fajitas: Recommended Beer: Saison or Session IPA
- Why it works: Veggie fajitas are a medley of fresh, grilled vegetables. A saison, with its earthy, slightly spicy profile, pairs well with the grilled veggies, while a session IPA offers a light, hoppy bitterness that complements the dish.
Exploring the Best Mexican Beers
Mexican beers have something for everyone. So without any further ad, let’s take a closer look at some of the best Mexican beers that you should definitely try!
- Corona Extra 4.6% (Grupo Modelo): Perhaps the most internationally recognised Mexican cerveza, known for its light, refreshing taste and typically served with a lime wedge.
- Modelo Negra 5.4% (Grupo Modelo): A dark Munich-style lager with a smooth, rich, and subtly sweet taste, highlighted by a hint of caramel and a malty backbone.
- Pacifico Clara 4.5% (Grupo Modelo): A pale lager that is adventurous with a hearty, crisp taste of citrus and ocean mist.
- Bohemia Clásica 4.8% (Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery): A pilsner-style beer that is refreshing and sessionable with some peppery notes and a touch of malt sweetness to balance out the subtle hop.
- Victoria 4.0% (Grupo Modelo): Mexico’s oldest beer brand, this Vienna-style lager is medium-bodied with a toasted malt sweetness balanced by subtle hops bitterness.
- Indio 4.1% (Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery): A dark beer known for its unique, slightly fruity flavour profile with hints of caramel and toasted malts.
- Minerva Stout 6.0% (Cervecería Minerva): A bold, full-bodied stout with rich flavours of dark chocolate, coffee, and dried fruit, topped off with a creamy head.
- Mexican Imperial Stout 9.0% (Calavera Craft Brewery): A coal-black pour with a slightly chocolatey taste, a hint of dark roast coffee and a touch of pepper heat in the finish.
- Dos Equis Lager Especial 4.2% (Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery): A crisp, refreshing, light-bodied malt-flavoured beer with a well-balanced finish. It’s a Lager that drinks like a Pilsner; what’s not to like?
So there we have it. Why not order ‘dos cervezas, por favor’ and sit back in the Mexican sun?
Summary
Mexican cuisine is all about those bold, spicy flavours, and you know what’s the perfect partner for that? Beer! Its cool, fizzy goodness can help ease the heat of those spices and take your dining experience to the next level. This connection goes way back to the 16th century when European settlers brought the art of brewing to Mexico. Nowadays, Mexico is famous for its refreshing lagers like Corona and Modelo Negra, which go amazingly well with classics like tacos and enchiladas. Whether digging into carnitas or savouring seafood tacos, picking the right beer – like choosing a Pilsner for those fish tacos or an IPA for carne asada – can elevate your meal by balancing and complementing the diverse flavours of Mexican cuisine.
Share Now!
Raise a glass to knowledge! Each article you share pours a little more wisdom into the world, frothing with ideas and bubbling with insights.
