Modelo Especial 24OZ Can

Modelo Especial 24OZ Can is a Mexican pilsner-style lager brewed at 4.4% ABV, served in a large-format 24-ounce single can. Rooted in German brewing traditions transplanted to Mexico in the 1860s, Modelo Especial has grown into one of the top-selling imported beers in the United States, recognized for its consistent balance between light sweetness and crisp drinkability.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.4%  |  Origin: Mexico  |  Style: Pilsner-Style Lager  |  Brewery: Grupo Modelo

Production & Heritage

Grupo Modelo was founded in 1925 on Tacuba Street in Mexico City. Modelo Especial debuted that same year, drawing on German- and Austrian-style lager brewing techniques that arrived in Mexico during Austrian Emperor Maximilian I's brief reign from 1864 to 1867. The beer is brewed with a combination of barley malt, unmalted cereals — primarily corn — and hops, yielding a clean, light-bodied pilsner character. Production today spans multiple facilities across Mexico, including sites in Torreón, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, Zacatecas, and Ciudad Obregón, among others. The 24-ounce can format provides a single-serve option suited to casual drinking without requiring a bottle opener or glassware.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange blossom honey leads the nose, followed by fresh white bread and cracker. A subtle herbaceous note and faint sweet corn round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is clean with a gentle sweetness reminiscent of honey and light biscuit. Mid-palate, mild corn character emerges alongside soft malt, while a restrained hop bitterness builds just enough to keep the beer balanced. The overall impression is smooth and approachable with no harsh edges.

Finish: Crisp and clean with a brief earthy bitterness that fades quickly. The finish is dry enough to encourage the next sip without lingering heaviness.

How to Drink Modelo Especial

Modelo Especial drinks best cold — straight from the can or poured into a chilled glass to release its honey and bread aromas. A squeeze of fresh lime is the classic enhancement, adding brightness without overwhelming the lager's clean malt backbone.

Michelada: The beer's light sweetness and crisp finish stand up well to tomato juice, hot sauce, and lime in this savory Mexican cocktail. Beer Margarita (Beergarita): Blended with frozen limeade and tequila, Modelo Especial's mild corn sweetness balances the tart citrus. Chelada: Mixed simply with lime juice and salt over ice, the lager's clean profile lets the citrus shine without competing bitterness.

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions and summer cookouts
• Pairing alongside tacos, ceviche, or other Latin-inspired cuisine
• Watching live sports with friends
• A convenient grab-and-go single-serve option for outdoor events

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Modelo Especial taste like? Modelo Especial delivers a balanced profile of honey sweetness, light biscuit malt, and subtle corn character, finishing crisp and clean with gentle hop bitterness.

How does Modelo Especial compare to Corona Extra? Both are top-selling Mexican imports brewed in a light lager style, but Modelo Especial tends to have a slightly fuller malt body with noticeable honey and bread notes, while Corona Extra leans lighter and more neutral with a sharper citrus-friendly crispness. The two share a similar ABV range (Corona Extra is 4.6% vs. Modelo's 4.4%).

Is Modelo Especial good for casual drinking? Yes — at 4.4% ABV with a smooth, approachable flavor profile, Modelo Especial is designed for easy, sessionable drinking across a wide range of settings.

Where is Modelo Especial made? Modelo Especial is brewed by Grupo Modelo, originally founded in Mexico City in 1925, with production now spread across multiple breweries throughout Mexico including facilities in Torreón, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, and Zacatecas.

What foods pair well with Modelo Especial? Street tacos with cilantro and onion complement the beer's malt sweetness. Ceviche and raw oysters benefit from its crisp finish. Grilled chicken or carne asada echoes the light toasted character. Chips with fresh guacamole or pico de gallo match the lager's clean, refreshing body.

What sizes does Modelo Especial come in? Modelo Especial is widely available in 12-ounce bottles, 12-ounce cans, 24-ounce cans, and 32-ounce bottles, among other multi-pack configurations.

Is Modelo Especial worth the price? Modelo Especial positions as a mainstream imported lager, sitting slightly above domestic macro lagers in price while delivering a more characterful malt profile — it represents solid value within the imported beer category.

Why Modelo Especial?

Modelo Especial's brewing lineage traces directly to the German and Austrian lager traditions that arrived in Mexico over 150 years ago, giving it a heritage few competing imports can match. The combination of barley malt and corn creates a flavor profile that is distinctly richer than many mass-market lagers, with genuine honey and bread notes rather than a purely neutral base. Its rise to become one of the best-selling imported beers in the United States reflects consistent quality across a massive production footprint. The 24-ounce can format makes it a practical, portable choice that delivers that same balanced, crisp lager experience in a single generous serving.