15 Best Beers For Michelada Ranked: Full Guide (2023)
Last Updated on April 7, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Micheladas vary by restaurant, region, or individual taste, with the popular take adding Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, tomato juice, soy sauce, or fish sauce to a beer-lime base.
But what makes up the difference between Micheladas? Of course, beer.
Mexican beers are a staple in this drink, but with the wide range of options, what’s the best beer for Michelada?
So, we’ve tried different beers—from Mexican lagers to craft beer to Mexican-lager-inspired beers, and here are our top 12 picks for a perfect Michelada.
Top 12 Beers For Making Michelada
12. Bohemia Clásica
Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Why We Like It: Bohemia Clasica is an ideal beer for a Michelada for its good mix of lime flavor spices, chili powder, salt, and clamato juice (or soy sauce) that makes for a savory Michelada cocktail.
The bitterness of this Michelada beer is complemented by the herbal aroma that lingers in its body.
This is one of the most complex and best beers comparable to fine wine.
11. Sol Cerveza
Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Sol Cerveza had a lighter texture but was more refreshing due to its citrus flavor and blood-orange color.
If you love Mexican tacos, this is a great beer painting.
This Mexican lager provides a smooth finish that’s malt-forward and delicate. It has light black pepper spices that make for a good Michelada.
Try the Sol Chelada–but don’t forget to add the tomato juice.
10. Corona Extra
Average Price: approx. $20/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.6% ABV
Why We Like It: If you want a mild Michelada, try Corona Extra, then add fresh lime juice, tomato juice, and salt rim for a crisp and light taste, perfect for the hot weather.
Corona is one of the best beers in the market [1]—a good Mexican lager beer for a Michelada. Besides, this beer pairs well with chicken and nuts.
9. Sam Adams Light
Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.7% ABV
Why We Like It: This Samuel Adams Light beer is the soft version of their Boston Lager [2]. We like the aromas and flavors, specifically the warm caramel note, giving the autumn vibes.
Overall, this light lager has well-balanced warmth, fruit, and crisp character.
Its light body, bursting with tropical fruit aromas, makes it an easy-drinkable beer—the best for Michelada.
8. Landshark Lager
Average Price: approx. $10/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.3% ABV
Why We Like It: If you want the kick of a spicy Michelada, then have your hot sauce ready to be mixed with Landshark Lager, a Margaritaville-made beer.
This island-style lager has a light and refreshing taste with the spice of malt sweetness–perfect for a Michelada.
Actually, this is one of the best beers to drink by the beach.
7. Modelo Especial
Average Price: approx. $20/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4% ABV
Why We Like It: Compared to the best beers on our list, Modelo Especial is full-bodied, allowing us to enjoy Michelada with a variety of flavors and spices.
The combo of this American-style Mexican lager, spices, sauces, and juices mixed well together.
Modelo is a staple in Mexican beer cocktail drinks and well-known Michelada beer.
6. Sesión Cerveza
Average Price: approx. $14/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Session beers are known for their drinkability and freshness. This beer, made by Full Sail Brewing, is flavored to be the best Mexican lager.
This Mexican beer [3] matches well with fruitier Habanero hot sauces and citrusy drinks, like lime and orange juices.
Its vibrant and crisp flavor complements the delicate spices and lime that contribute to its balance.
5. 21st Amendment El Sully
Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.8% ABV
Why We Like It: El Sully is craft beer made as Mexican pilsner. It’s a good base for Michelada if you want a heavier beer. In fact, this beer offers more complexity than Pacifico.
We recommend serving this beer with jalapeno-based hot sauce, lime, pureed green tomato juice, and a sprinkle of cilantro.
It gives a crisp, smooth finish—enjoyable, light, and refreshing.
4. Sierra Nevada Sierraveza
Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 5.6% ABV
Why We Like It: This Sierra Nevada Sierraveza is a blend of lime and spice aromas similar to “housemade hot sauce.” Its creamy texture and smooth wheat note add complexity to its taste.
Inspired by the traditional cervezas, this beer is a unique take on lager.
The light flavor yet crisp palate, with a hint of floral hops for an extremely drinkable beer, keeps you wanting more.
3. Firestone Lager
Average Price: approx. $11/6-pack
Alcohol Content: 5.4% ABV
Why We Like It: Accompanied by a sweet and fresh green pepper, Firestone Lager is a neutral base, making for a Michelada with a spicy finish.
It’s a less spicy Michelada, but it’s equally refreshing and even more delightful than Bud Light.
This American lager is a highly drinkable beer with a crisp and refreshing taste of tropical fruit aromas.
It’s a strong beer for a complex Michelada but really thirst-quenching.
2. Cerveza Tecate
Average Price: approx. $13/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Tecate is inspired by an American beer lager, which pairs well with lime juice and salt in Michelada.
This is an ideal base to build a cocktail: mild, not malty, and crisp.
If you’ve tried Tecate Michelada before, you’d agree with its well-balanced flavor that goes well with clamato juice, tomato juice, hot sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, and even Worcestershire sauce.
1. Pacifico Clara
Average Price: approx. $20/12-pack
Alcohol Content: 4.4% ABV
Why We Like It: Pacifico Clara is our favorite beer and the second-best beer for a Michelada. This jalapeno-infused beer gives a refreshing kick and a good body.
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
— Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father of the US
It has more flavor than other beers—pairing well with salt and lime—making it great for any Mexican cocktail, like Michelada and Mexican Bloody Mary.
This Mexican is like a “premium” Corona, adding a bit of grassiness and bread to a Michelada, which complements the tomato juice’s acid.
*Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs
Can you use any beer for Michelada?
You can use any beer to make a Michelada. But if you want the best Michelada, the beer should be light and refreshing.
Aside from using Mexican beers, you may opt for light American beers. But you may want to avoid Bud Light Chelada, Budweiser Chelada Picanter, or even canned Micheladas.
What’s the best beer type for Michelada?
The best beer type [4] for Michelada is lager as it’s subtly hopped, light, and refreshing compared to IPA, that’s on the bitter side.
If you want to drink a Michelada with the perfect flavor, opt for Mexican lagers like Pacifico and Tecate.
In Summary
Mexican lagers are always the best option to make a savory Michelada cocktail or drink, as they pair well with lime, salt, tomato or clamato juice, and citrus-based juices.
There are good American lagers, like the Firestone Lager, but we hail Pacifico as the best drink for this cocktail. For other options, Tecate and Sierra Nevada are ideal, as well.
If you’re surprised not to see Bud Light on this list, no offense, but its flavor isn’t ideal for salt and lime mixing to make Micheladas.
References:
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-coronas-beer-sales-did-not-suffer-from-the-coronavirus/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/samuel-adams-introduces-new-brighter-take-on-flagship-boston-lager-for-first-time-in-nearly-40-years-with-big-game-ad-301733748.html
- https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-origins-of-mexican-beer/rAWhasEZWJSLGA
- https://time.com/5218581/types-of-beer-guide/
Lisa is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in nightlife, leisure, and celebration. She has been in the field for eight years and has written articles featured in various local blogs and lifestyle magazines.
For Lisa, there’s nothing better than an ice-cold drink after a rough day (she’s not fussy). But she also likes to get a bit fancy every now and then. She believes you can never go wrong with a Moscow Mule or a classic Daiquiri anywhere you go. Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
