Pacifico 32OZ

Pacifico 32oz is a pilsner-style Mexican lager brewed at 4.4% ABV, available here in a generous 32-ounce bottle. First brewed in 1900 in the port city of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, this beer earned a cult following after surfers discovered it along the Baja coast in the 1970s and brought it stateside — a grassroots origin story few imported beers can match.

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

Production & Heritage

Cervecería del Pacífico was founded in 1900 by three German immigrants — Jorge Claussen, Germán Evers, and Emilio Radostits — who brought European brewing traditions to Mexico's Pacific coast. The brewery was acquired by Grupo Modelo in 1954, which itself became part of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Pacifico is brewed with water, barley malt, non-malted cereals including rice and corn, American hops, and yeast, resulting in a clean, light-bodied lager that registers a mild 18 IBUs — firmly on the approachable end of the bitterness scale.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with subtle malt sweetness and gentle grain before giving way to grassy, floral hop accents. There is a faint, almost saline freshness that nods to its coastal origins.

Taste: The entry is crisp and clean, with light malt character arriving first. At mid-palate, a mild hop bitterness emerges alongside a bright citrus quality. The overall impression stays dry and balanced, never heavy.

Finish: Short to medium in length with a refreshingly dry close. Lingering traces of grain and a whisper of grassy hops fade quickly, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink Pacifico

Pacifico is best served ice-cold, straight from the bottle or poured into a chilled pilsner glass with a lime wedge squeezed in. Its clean, neutral profile also makes it a versatile base in beer cocktails.

• Michelada: Pacifico's crisp dryness stands up to the bold mix of lime juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and Clamato without getting lost.
• Chelada: A simpler lime-and-salt preparation that highlights the beer's inherent citrus character and oceanic freshness.
• Beer Margarita (Beergarita): Blended with frozen margarita mix, Pacifico's light body and low bitterness keep the drink smooth and drinkable.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and taco nights where a crowd-friendly, easy-drinking lager is essential
• Beach days, camping trips, and outdoor sessions in warm weather
• Watching surf competitions or sporting events with friends
• Pairing with Mexican cuisine — fish tacos, ceviche, elote, and grilled shrimp

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pacifico taste like? Pacifico is a crisp, clean, and dry pilsner-style lager with a light malt body, subtle citrus brightness, and gentle grassy hop notes. It finishes dry and refreshing with minimal bitterness at 18 IBUs.

How does Pacifico compare to Corona Extra? Both are light-bodied Mexican lagers, but Pacifico is generally considered to have a slightly bolder, more complex malt and hop character than Corona Extra. Corona tends to present as lighter and more neutral, while Pacifico delivers a bit more grain depth and a drier finish.

Is Pacifico good for beginners? Pacifico is an excellent entry point into imported lagers — its low bitterness (18 IBU), light body, and clean flavor profile make it immediately approachable for anyone who enjoys easy-drinking beer.

Where is Pacifico made? Pacifico is brewed at Cervecería del Pacífico in Mazatlán, a Pacific Ocean port city in the state of Sinaloa, México. The brewery has operated at this location since its founding in 1900.

What foods pair well with Pacifico? Fish tacos and ceviche benefit from the beer's citrus-tinged crispness. Grilled shrimp and elote (Mexican street corn) complement its light malt sweetness. Spicy salsas and chile-rubbed meats are balanced by the beer's clean, palate-cleansing finish.

What sizes does Pacifico come in? Pacifico is widely available in 12oz bottles and cans, as well as this 32oz bottle format; 24oz cans and multi-pack configurations are also commonly found.

Is Pacifico worth the price? Pacifico positions as a mainstream imported lager and is priced competitively within that tier. The 32oz bottle format provides solid value for a well-established, consistently brewed Mexican pilsner with over a century of heritage behind it.

Why Pacifico?

Pacifico's strongest claim is authenticity — this is a recipe that has been brewed continuously in Mazatlán since 1900, rooted in German brewing methods adapted for Mexico's Pacific coast. Its popularity in the United States didn't come from a marketing campaign; surfers physically carried it across the border from Baja in the 1970s, and word of mouth did the rest. The 32oz bottle format is particularly well-suited to sharing or extended sessions in the heat. For drinkers who find Corona too mild and Modelo Especial too malty, Pacifico occupies a balanced middle ground — crisp, dry, and genuinely refreshing without sacrificing flavor.