There aren’t many beer cocktails that people can name outside of the michelada. Micheladas are the perfect fusion of spice and beer, adding salty, spicy, and sometimes briny goodness to your glass. But the secret to making the perfect michelada all comes down to picking the right beer.
Any michelada fan knows that you should start by picking a Mexican lager, but not just any Mexican beer will do. Choosing the right beer is the difference between a thin, flat drink and a crisp, citrussy delight. If you want to get funky, you can even craft a delicious michelada without a Mexican lager.
Let’s explore the best beer for micheladas, along with some other tips to take your drink to the next level.
Best Beers for Micheladas, Ranked
I’ve broken this list into two sections. First, we’ll explore the best Mexican beers for a michelada. Second, we’ll take a look at some fun craft options that bring new flavors to the michelada.
Best Mexican Lagers for Micheladas
1. Pacifico Clara
Pacifico is a phenomenal standalone beer, so there should be no surprise that it works perfectly with a michelada. Pacifico has a lighter body than other beers on this list, but it brings an element of coastal marine crispness that other beers don’t offer. This should be your go-to pick if you favor lime and citrus flavors in your michelada.
2. Modelo Especial
Modelo Especial is an incredibly well-balanced beer, with just enough malt sweetness to come through when mixed. When you add Modelo to your michelada, you retain the full-bodied beer flavor. This makes it great for micheladas that are thick with tomato or Clamato, since the beer will shine through regardless.
3. Tecate
Tecate is a sleeper pick for micheladas, but it’s a great complement for spicy styles. You’ll get a strong malt flavor from Tecate that pairs really well with heavy spices and sauces. If you’re planning on making your michelada a spicy one, Tecate should be your go-to beer.
4. Modelo Negra
Modelo Negra brings way different flavors to a michelada than the Especial does. Negra is an amber lager, which means it has a roasty flavor that pairs excellently with smokiness. If you favor Chipotle seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, or any smokier hot sauces, Modelo Negra will be the perfect pairing.
5. Bohemia Clásica
Bohemia Clásica harkens back to the classic Vienna lager days, and it’s a tremendous beer on its own. In a michelada, it adds depth and complexity through its malt flavor. This is a step up in quality and perfect for shaking up a stale michelada recipe.
Best Craft Beer for Micheladas
Craft breweries have been making Mexican lagers for years, and some even serve micheladas in-house using their craft beer. If you want to break the mold and get funky, here are craft beers to include in your michelada.
1. Buenaveza by Stone Brewing
I’ve picked the Buenaveza because I think it’s pretty accessible nationwide. The Buenaveza is a Mexican lager that adds the salt and lime flavor directly into the beer, making it perfect for sipping in the sun. In a michelada, this can help you skip the step of adding lime and salt, so you can focus on spicing it up how you like!
2. 805 by Firestone Walker
Now we’re getting weird! The 805 is a crisp, clean ale that drinks way closer to a lager than a pale ale. What’s great about the 805 is that it’s really well balanced, so it essentially becomes the canvas upon which you can paint a michelada masterpiece. Try building up the spice level until it meets your taste.
3. Your Local Mexican Lager
If you’ve made it this far down the list, this is me encouraging you to create something unique and create a michelada using a Mexican lager from a local craft beer. Most craft Mexican lagers should be fairly similar to at least one beer we’ve mentioned, so try to mix your michelada accordingly.
Other Tips for Making a Great Michelada
The beer you choose has the biggest impact on your michelada’s quality, but everything else is what makes it a michelada. Here are some ways you can take your michelada to the next level.
The Rim
Any good michelada needs to have the right rim. Tajin has become the go-to for micheladas almost everywhere you go since it blands that chili, lime, and salt flavor that most people associate with the cocktail. If you want to get more traditional, you can always go with a classic salt rim and add the lime and spices into the actual michelada. Or, you could find an interesting chili salt that makes the michelada even more unique.
Pro tip: Use a lime wedge to wet the rim before adding your salt or spice, it adds in just a little more lime flavor that comes through loud and clear.
The Sauce
The hot sauce you choose can make or break your michelada. Tobasco is a classic option since it has sharp flavor without becoming overwhelming. In addition to Tabasco, consider adding a thicker sauce to increase the spice while making the michelada less watery. Consider the type of beer you’re adding before jumping too deep into strong spices.
Pro tip: You can alwasy add more heat! Start light, give it a taste, then build from there.
The Juice: Tomato vs Clamato
When it comes to the juice, there really are no better options than tomato and Clamato. Here’s a nice breakdown of the two:
- Tomato juice is cleaner with a more vegetable taste. This is a simpler option that lets the other ingredients you add shine through.
- Clamato is thick and briny, and also the go-to option for plenty of bartenders. It’s a great pairing for some of the beers listed above.
Also, you will have local versions of tomato juice and Clamato that you should explore, so try both and see what fits your tastes best.
Pro tip: Most bartenders make their micheladas with a roughly 3:1 ratio of juice to beer.
Michelada FAQs
Modelo Espcial is a pretty popular beer for micheladas. Not only does it have a nice, balanced profile, but it’s easily accessible in most parts of the country.
You can use craft beer in a michelada, and it’s highly recommended that you try! Stick with Mexican-style lagers to avoid a clash of flavors.
A chelada is just beer, lime, and salt. A michelada has hot suace, spices, and tomato/Clamato.
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