Pacifico 24OZ

Pacifico 24OZ is a Mexican pilsner-style lager at 4.4% ABV, served in a 24oz can for easy, generous pours. Born in the Pacific coastal city of Mazatlán over 120 years ago, this lager carries a distinctive light-grain backbone and subtle sea-breeze character that separates it from the crowd of mass-market Mexican imports.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.4%  |  Origin: Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico  |  Style: Pilsner-Style Lager  |  Brewery: Cervecería del Pacífico  |  IBU: 18

Production & Heritage

Cervecería del Pacífico was founded in 1900 in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, by three German immigrant brewers — Jorge Claussen, Germán Evers, and Emilio Radostits — who brought European lager-brewing techniques to Mexico's Pacific coast. The original brewery covers just two acres and operates two 550-barrel brewhouses; only a fraction of total Pacifico production still comes from this historic site, with the remainder brewed at Grupo Modelo's other five facilities across Mexico. The recipe uses a blend of two-row and six-row barley, specially roasted malts, American hops, rice, and corn, resulting in a clean, dry lager with 18 IBUs of mild bitterness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Malty grain leads, followed by subtle floral hop accents and a faint, almost saline quality sometimes described as ocean mist. The nose is clean and restrained, never aggressive.

Taste: The entry is bright and crisp with a light malt sweetness that moves quickly into a dry, clean mid-palate. Mild hop bitterness surfaces at the peak, complemented by grassy-citrus undertones and a lively carbonation that keeps the body feeling nimble despite the generous pour size.

Finish: Short to medium, finishing dry with lingering grain and a whisper of floral hops. The palate feels refreshed rather than coated, making this a highly repeatable drink.

How to Drink Pacifico

Pacifico is best served ice cold, straight from the can or poured into a chilled pint glass, with an optional lime wedge squeezed in. Its clean, neutral profile also makes it a strong base for beer cocktails. A Michelada is the natural match — Pacifico's crisp dryness cuts through the tomato-lime-hot sauce mix without adding competing sweetness. Try it in a Chelada (lime juice and salt only) to let the beer's subtle coastal character shine through. It also works well in a Beer Margarita, where the light malt body adds effervescence without overwhelming the tequila and citrus.

Best For

• Beach days, poolside gatherings, and outdoor barbecues where cold refreshment is non-negotiable
• Pairing with street tacos, ceviche, and grilled seafood at a summer cookout
• Watching sports with friends who want an easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing lager
• Introducing someone to Mexican-style pilsners beyond the usual lime-and-Corona routine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pacifico taste like? Pacifico tastes crisp, clean, and dry with a light malt sweetness, mild hop bitterness, and subtle grassy-citrus notes. It has lively carbonation and a faint coastal freshness that distinguishes it from other Mexican lagers.

How does Pacifico compare to Corona Extra? Both are produced under Grupo Modelo and classified as Mexican pilsner-style lagers, but Pacifico has a slightly grainier texture and more noticeable malt character at 4.4% ABV, while Corona Extra (4.6% ABV) is ultra-light-bodied and more neutral, designed largely as a vehicle for lime. Pacifico tends to appeal to drinkers who want a bit more substance without added heaviness.

Is Pacifico good for beginners? Pacifico is an excellent entry point for anyone exploring Mexican lagers or craft-adjacent pilsners, thanks to its approachable 4.4% ABV, mild bitterness (18 IBU), and clean, uncomplicated flavor profile.

Where is Pacifico made? Pacifico was originally — and is still partially — brewed at Cervecería del Pacífico in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, on Mexico's Pacific coast. The majority of current production takes place at Grupo Modelo's other breweries throughout Mexico.

What foods pair well with Pacifico? Fish tacos and ceviche work beautifully, as the beer's dry finish mirrors the bright acidity of lime-dressed seafood. Grilled shrimp or chicken fajitas benefit from the carbonation cutting through charred fat. Elote (Mexican street corn) echoes the lager's subtle grain sweetness, and lighter fare like guacamole with chips keeps the pairing breezy and balanced.

What sizes does Pacifico come in? Pacifico is widely available in 12oz bottles and cans, 24oz cans (this format), and various multi-pack configurations including 6-packs, 12-packs, and 18-packs.

Is Pacifico worth the price? Pacifico positions squarely in the value tier of imported Mexican lagers, typically priced in line with Corona, Modelo Especial, and Dos Equis. For a beer with over a century of heritage and a distinctly crisp coastal character, it delivers strong value for everyday drinking.

Why Pacifico?

What earns Pacifico its loyal following is an identity rooted in a specific place — Mazatlán's Pacific coastline — rather than in marketing alone. The 1900 founding by German brewers embedded genuine European lager technique into a tropical Mexican setting, producing a beer that genuinely tastes different from its domestic competitors: drier, grainier, with a subtle salinity that no amount of lime-wedge branding can replicate. The 24oz format is the right size for a long afternoon session at moderate 4.4% ABV, delivering enough volume to be satisfying without tipping toward excess. Among mass-market Mexican imports, Pacifico remains one of the few with a real story and a flavor profile that backs it up.