Modelo Especial 6Pk Cans

Modelo Especial 6Pk Cans is a six-pack of 12 oz cans containing a 4.4% ABV pilsner-style Mexican lager brewed by Grupo Modelo since 1925. In May 2023, Modelo Especial became the top-selling beer in the United States by retail dollar sales, a testament to its broad appeal and consistent quality.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.4%  |  Origin: Mexico City, Mexico  |  Style: Pilsner-Style Lager  |  Brewery: Grupo Modelo (est. 1925)

Production & Heritage

Grupo Modelo was founded in 1925 by Spanish immigrants in the Tacuba neighborhood of Mexico City, and Modelo Especial was the brewery's flagship release that same year. The brewing process draws on German brewmaster techniques, using a grain bill of barley malt combined with non-malted cereals — corn and rice adjuncts that lighten the body and produce a characteristically bright, pale appearance. Hops are used sparingly to maintain a clean, balanced profile rather than assertive bitterness, resulting in a highly drinkable pilsner-style lager.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh white bread and cracker lead the nose, followed by gentle honey sweetness and a faint note of sweet corn. A mild herbal quality from the hops rounds out the bouquet without dominating.

Taste: The entry is light and clean with a faintly sweet malt character. At mid-palate, notes of orange blossom honey emerge alongside soft corn-inflected malt, while a restrained hop presence keeps things balanced. The overall impression is smooth and approachable with minimal bitterness.

Finish: Crisp and dry with a short, refreshing close. A touch of residual sweetness and subtle biscuit linger briefly before the palate resets cleanly.

How to Drink Modelo Especial

Straight from the can or poured into a chilled glass, Modelo Especial is at its best served cold — ideally between 38–45°F. A squeeze of fresh lime into the can is the classic Mexican lager serve.

• Michelada: The light body and clean finish make Modelo an ideal base for this savory Mexican beer cocktail built with tomato juice, lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire.
• Chelada: A simpler variation with just lime juice and salt — Modelo's subtle sweetness balances the citrus and salinity naturally.
• Beer Margarita (Beergarita): Blending Modelo with frozen margarita mix creates a refreshing hybrid where the lager's crispness tempers the sweetness of the cocktail.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and summer grilling sessions
• Watching game day with a reliable, crowd-pleasing lager
• Pairing with tacos, ceviche, and other Latin American cuisine
• Stocking a cooler for beach or poolside gatherings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Modelo Especial taste like? Modelo Especial is a light, crisp lager with gentle honey sweetness, fresh bread-like malt, and a clean finish with very little bitterness. It drinks smooth and refreshing with subtle corn and cracker notes throughout.

How does Modelo Especial compare to Corona Extra? Both are Mexican pale lagers, but in a VinePair blind tasting, Modelo Especial placed second among Mexican lagers while Corona Extra ranked lower; tasters generally find Modelo slightly fuller in malt character. Corona Extra comes in at 4.5% ABV versus Modelo's 4.4%, and Corona tends to present a thinner, more neutral flavor profile.

Is Modelo Especial good for beginners? Modelo Especial is an excellent entry point for anyone exploring beer, as its light body, low bitterness, and clean malt sweetness make it immediately approachable without sacrificing flavor.

Where is Modelo Especial made? Modelo Especial is brewed by Grupo Modelo, which was founded in 1925 in the Tacuba district of Mexico City, Mexico. For the U.S. market, Constellation Brands handles import and distribution.

What foods pair well with Modelo Especial? Street tacos with cilantro and onion complement the lager's clean malt sweetness; ceviche mirrors its bright, crisp character; grilled shrimp or fish benefit from the beer's light body cutting through char and fat; nachos with jalapeños are tempered by Modelo's low bitterness; and a simple plate of fresh guacamole with chips matches the beer's subtle corn notes.

What sizes does Modelo Especial come in? Modelo Especial is widely available in 12 oz cans (including this 6-pack), 24 oz single cans, 12-pack and 24-pack formats, as well as 12 oz bottles in various pack sizes.

Is Modelo Especial worth the price? Modelo Especial positions as a premium import lager that consistently outperforms many domestic competitors in blind tastings, making it a strong value within the imported Mexican lager category.

Why Modelo Especial?

Modelo Especial did not become America's best-selling beer by accident. Nearly a century of unchanged brewing philosophy — German-influenced technique applied to a carefully balanced grain bill of barley malt and adjunct cereals — delivers a lager that is remarkably consistent from can to can. Where many mass-market lagers strip flavor in pursuit of lightness, Modelo retains discernible honey and bread-like malt character while still finishing crisp and clean. That combination of genuine flavor and easy drinkability is exactly why it has earned its place at the top of the category.