Modelo Especial 12Pk is a pilsner-style Mexican lager brewed at 4.4% ABV, available here as a 12-pack of 12 oz bottles. It earned second place in VinePair's blind tasting of Mexican lagers and ranks among the top two best-selling imported beers in the United States — a position held consistently for years. Quick Facts: ABV: 4.4% | Origin: Mexico City, Mexico | Style: Pilsner-Style Lager | Brewery: Grupo Modelo Production & Heritage Grupo Modelo was founded in 1925 in Tacuba, a neighborhood in northwest Mexico City. Modelo Especial launched the same year and has remained the brewery's flagship. The beer is brewed with a mashbill of barley malt, non-malted cereals — specifically corn — and hops, fermented with bottom-fermenting lager yeast through a cold fermentation process. The use of unmalted corn as an adjunct is a deliberate choice that lightens the body and creates a smoother, more neutral flavor base compared to all-malt European pilsners. Grupo Modelo operates a dedicated corn processing facility in Mexico that supports local farming communities, tying the beer's recipe directly to regional agriculture. Tasting Notes Aroma: Orange blossom honey leads immediately, followed by a subtle herbal quality and faint cereal sweetness. The nose is clean and inviting without heavy malt density. Taste: The entry is crisp and lightly sweet, with that signature honey-like smoothness coating the palate early. Mid-palate brings a balanced malt backbone supported by the corn adjunct's softening influence. A light hop character emerges toward the peak, adding just enough bitterness to keep the beer from leaning too sweet. Finish: Clean, dry, and moderately short with a gentle herbal note trailing off. There is no lingering bitterness — just a crisp fade that invites another sip. How to Drink Modelo Especial Modelo Especial drinks best served cold at around 38–42°F, straight from the bottle or poured into a chilled pilsner glass to release its honeyed aroma. A lime wedge is the classic accompaniment but is entirely optional — the beer holds up well on its own. It works in a Michelada, where the light body and clean finish balance tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime without competing for attention. A Chelada — the simpler lime-and-salt variation — highlights the beer's natural sweetness against the citrus acidity. For a Beer Margarita (also called a Beergarita), Modelo Especial's neutral backbone lets the tequila and citrus flavors drive while adding effervescence and volume. Best For Stocking a cooler for outdoor grilling and barbecues Pairing with tacos, ceviche, or other Latin-inspired meals Serving at casual gatherings where a crowd-pleasing lager is essential Introducing someone to Mexican-style lagers beyond mass-market options Frequently Asked Questions What does Modelo Especial taste like? Modelo Especial delivers a smooth, lightly sweet flavor with orange blossom honey notes, a gentle herbal quality, and a crisp, clean finish driven by light hop bitterness. How does Modelo Especial compare to Corona Extra? Both are Mexican adjunct lagers brewed by Grupo Modelo and occupy the top two spots among U.S. imported beer sales, but Modelo Especial is generally considered fuller-bodied with a richer malt presence, while Corona Extra tends toward a lighter, more neutral profile. Modelo Especial also placed second in VinePair's blind tasting of Mexican lagers, giving it a slight edge in critical recognition. Is Modelo Especial good for beginners? Yes — its balanced, approachable flavor profile and moderate 4.4% ABV make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring Mexican lagers or pilsner-style beers. Where is Modelo Especial made? Modelo Especial is brewed by Grupo Modelo, headquartered in Tacuba, a neighborhood in northwest Mexico City, Mexico. The brewery was established in 1925 and remains one of Mexico's largest brewing operations. What foods pair well with Modelo Especial? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos complement the beer's light hop character and citrus-friendly profile. Ceviche mirrors the beer's crispness. Spicy chicken wings benefit from the clean, slightly sweet finish that cools heat. Queso fundido or nachos pair naturally, as the carbonation cuts through richness. Carne asada works well because the beer's neutral body doesn't overpower charred, seasoned beef. What sizes does Modelo Especial come in? Modelo Especial is widely available in single 12 oz bottles and cans, 6-packs, 12-packs, 18-packs, and 24-packs, as well as 24 oz single cans and 32 oz bottles (ballenas). Is Modelo Especial worth the price? Modelo Especial positions as a mainstream imported lager — priced slightly above domestic adjunct lagers but well within everyday drinking range. For the quality of brewing and consistency of flavor, it represents solid value in the imported beer category. Why Modelo Especial? What separates Modelo Especial from the broad field of Mexican lagers is the deliberate use of locally sourced unmalted corn, processed at Grupo Modelo's own facility, which gives the beer a distinctively smoother body than all-malt pilsners. That recipe has remained fundamentally unchanged since 1925, nearly a century of consistency that few competing brands can claim. Its second-place finish in VinePair's blind tasting of Mexican lagers confirms that it holds up under scrutiny beyond brand recognition. With an Untappd rating of 3.2 across more than 383,000 user reviews, Modelo Especial has earned broad consumer approval — not through marketing alone, but through a reliable, well-balanced lager that delivers exactly what it promises.
