Cruz Blanca Mexico Calling 6Pk

Cruz Blanca Mexico Calling 6Pk is a Vienna-style lager brewed in Chicago at 4.7% ABV, sold as a six-pack. Distinguished from mass-market Mexican-style lagers by its zero-adjunct recipe, this brew relies entirely on Vienna malt and subtle hops for a clean, malt-forward character that has earned a solid 3.6 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 9,100 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Vienna Lager  |  Brewery: Cruz Blanca

Production & Heritage

Cruz Blanca is a Chicago-based brewery known for its Latin-inspired approach to craft beer. Mexico Calling is built on a generous Vienna malt bill with restrained hop additions and, critically, zero adjuncts — no corn, no rice, no shortcuts. Where many widely available Mexican-style lagers lean on adjunct grains for cost efficiency, this recipe draws all its flavor and body from traditional malt, resulting in a fuller, more authentic take on the Vienna lager style that originally influenced Mexican brewing traditions in the 19th century.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright grain leads the nose, followed by a gentle crackery malt sweetness. A light lemony citrus note emerges underneath, keeping the aroma fresh and inviting.

Taste: The entry is soft with sweet grain and a subtle corn-like maltiness from the Vienna base. Mid-palate, a distinct lemon brightness comes through alongside a faint peppery spice. The finish balances light bitterness against residual malt sweetness, never letting either side dominate.

Finish: Clean and short with lingering cracker-like malt and a dry, slightly citrus-tinged fade. Carbonation stays lively through the close, prompting another sip.

How to Drink Mexico Calling

Mexico Calling is at its best served cold — straight from the fridge at around 38–42°F. A light squeeze of lime complements the existing citrus character without overwhelming the malt backbone.

• Michelada: The lemon brightness and clean malt profile stand up well to tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime without clashing.
• Chelada: A simpler lime-and-salt treatment lets the Vienna malt sweetness shine as the base beer.
• Beer Margarita (Beergarita): The low 4.7% ABV and balanced sweetness blend smoothly with frozen margarita mix for a sessionable warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and taco nights where a clean lager outperforms heavier craft styles
• Introducing craft beer drinkers to an adjunct-free take on Mexican-style lager
• Warm-weather sessions where 4.7% ABV allows for multiple rounds without fatigue
• Pairing with grilled meats and bright, citrus-driven dishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mexico Calling taste like? Mexico Calling delivers a malt-forward sweetness with notes of cracker, light lemon, and a faint peppery spice, finishing clean with balanced bitterness. It drinks lighter than many craft lagers while carrying more depth than adjunct-laden mass-market Mexican beers.

How does Mexico Calling compare to Negra Modelo? Both are Vienna-style lagers, but Negra Modelo is brewed in Mexico at 5.4% ABV and uses a darker malt profile with caramel notes, while Mexico Calling is brewed in Chicago at 4.7% ABV with a lighter body and a zero-adjunct recipe that emphasizes bright, crackery malt character. Mexico Calling is noticeably more sessionable and citrus-leaning by comparison.

Is Mexico Calling good for beginners? Yes — the approachable 4.7% ABV, clean malt sweetness, and light body make it an easy entry point for anyone exploring craft lagers beyond mainstream brands.

Where is Mexico Calling made? Mexico Calling is brewed by Cruz Blanca in Chicago, Illinois. Despite its name and Mexican lager inspiration, it is an American craft beer rooted in the Vienna lager tradition that shaped Mexican brewing.

What foods pair well with Mexico Calling? Carne asada tacos benefit from the beer's malt sweetness cutting through charred, savory meat. Ceviche mirrors the lemon-citrus brightness in the flavor profile. Grilled corn with chili and lime echoes the beer's subtle pepper and citrus notes. Chicken mole provides rich complexity that the clean lager refreshes between bites. Fish tacos with a cabbage slaw match the light body and crisp finish.

What sizes does Mexico Calling come in? This listing is a standard six-pack format, typically consisting of 12 oz cans or bottles.

Is Mexico Calling worth the price? Mexico Calling positions as a craft alternative in the Mexican-style lager segment, and its zero-adjunct recipe and Vienna malt foundation deliver noticeably more character than mass-market options in the same price tier. For drinkers seeking a cleaner, more thoughtfully brewed take on the style, the modest craft premium is justified.

Why Mexico Calling?

The zero-adjunct commitment is the defining feature here. In a crowded field of Mexican-style lagers — many of which rely on corn or rice to lighten body and reduce cost — Mexico Calling takes the opposite path, building its entire flavor profile from Vienna malt and hops alone. That decision produces a beer with more depth, better malt complexity, and a cleaner finish than most of its shelf neighbors. At 4.7% ABV, it also sits at a genuinely sessionable strength that makes it practical for extended drinking without sacrificing the flavor payoff that craft beer drinkers expect.