Modelo Negra 24OZ Can

Modelo Negra 24OZ Can is a Munich Dunkel-style dark lager brewed in Mexico at 5.4% ABV, available here in a 24-ounce single-serve can. First produced in 1925, Negra Modelo stands as one of Mexico's longest-running dark lagers, distinguished by an extended brewing process that develops its signature slow-roasted caramel malt character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.4%  |  Origin: Mexico City, Mexico  |  Style: Munich Dunkel-Style Dark Lager  |  Brewery: Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V.

Production & Heritage

Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V., headquartered in Ciudad de México, first brewed Negra Modelo in 1925 in the Tacuba neighborhood of Mexico City. The recipe draws on the Munich Dunkel tradition brought to Mexico by Austrian and German immigrant brewers in the late 19th century. The malt bill combines two-row and six-row barley with caramel malt and black malt, supplemented by rice and hopped with Galena and Super Galena varieties. Grupo Modelo brews Negra Modelo for a longer period than its pale counterpart, specifically to coax deeper flavor from the slow-roasted caramel malts and non-malted cereals in the grain bill.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Kilned malts and dark bread dominate the nose, followed by caramel sweetness and a faint, restrained hop presence. There is a subtle nuttiness underneath that hints at the roasted grain base.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-forward, with freshly baked brown bread and light treacle leading into a mid-palate of roasted nuts, caramel, and a lightly floral hop note. At its peak, a slightly sweet chocolate quality emerges, balanced by a tart cherry-like acidity that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with a toasted, well-done bread character that avoids any harsh bitterness or burnt quality. A gentle caramel warmth lingers alongside dry, nutty undertones.

How to Drink Negra Modelo

Negra Modelo drinks well straight from the can but benefits from a pour into a wide-mouthed glass that lets the malt aromatics open up; a temperature around 45–50°F is ideal. The Michelada Negra is a natural fit — the beer's caramel depth pairs beautifully with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. A Dark Lager Shandy made with fresh tamarind agua fresca plays off the tart cherry acidity in the beer. For a simple summer serve, try a Negra Chelada with lime juice and a salted rim, where the roasted malt adds dimension that lighter lagers cannot match.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions featuring carne asada or barbacoa
• Introducing dark lager styles to friends who typically drink light Mexican lagers
• Pairing with a taco night spread of birria, mole, or al pastor
• Watching a match or game day — the 24oz format means fewer trips to the cooler

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Negra Modelo taste like? Negra Modelo delivers a malt-driven profile of freshly baked brown bread, caramel, roasted nuts, and a slightly sweet chocolate note balanced by tart cherry-like acidity. It finishes with toasted grain and gentle sweetness rather than hop bitterness.

How does Negra Modelo compare to Dos Equis Ambar? Both are dark Mexican lagers rooted in European brewing traditions, but Negra Modelo leans more toward the Munich Dunkel style with pronounced caramel malt and chocolate notes, while Dos Equis Ambar follows a Vienna lager profile that tends lighter and crisper on the palate. The two are close enough in character that fans of one typically enjoy the other.

Is Negra Modelo good for beginners exploring dark beer? Negra Modelo is one of the most accessible dark lagers available — its sweetness and smooth body make it an approachable entry point for drinkers who assume dark beers are heavy or bitter.

Where is Negra Modelo made? Negra Modelo is brewed by Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V. in Mexico, originally created in the Tacuba district of Mexico City in 1925. Grupo Modelo operates multiple breweries across Mexico today.

What foods pair well with Negra Modelo? Slow-braised birria benefits from the beer's caramel sweetness cutting through the rich, spiced broth. Chicken mole finds a complement in the roasted malt and chocolate notes. Grilled chorizo pairs well because the beer's tart acidity offsets the sausage's fat and spice. Roasted sweet potatoes echo the caramel malt character, and sharp aged cheeses like cotija contrast nicely with the beer's toasted grain backbone.

What sizes does Negra Modelo come in? Negra Modelo is widely available in 12oz bottles and cans (singles and six-packs), this 24oz single-serve can, and 32oz bottles in many markets.

Is Negra Modelo worth the price? Negra Modelo positions as a mainstream import dark lager — it sits at a very approachable price point while delivering noticeably more malt complexity than standard pale Mexican lagers, making it strong value within the import beer category.

Why Negra Modelo?

Nearly a century of continuous production has refined this recipe into one of the most recognizable dark lagers in the Western Hemisphere. The extended brewing time applied to the slow-roasted caramel malt and black malt bill gives Negra Modelo a depth of flavor uncommon at its price tier — bread, chocolate, and roasted nut notes that most mass-market lagers simply do not attempt. At 5.4% ABV, it remains sessionable enough for a 24-ounce format without sacrificing body or character. For drinkers who want more complexity than a standard pale lager without jumping into craft stout territory, Negra Modelo occupies a space that very few beers compete for as convincingly.