Clear Lagers (All 4.5% alcohol unless otherwise indicated)

Bohemia Lager—By far the best beer in Mexico that you can see through. It’s an unabashedly European lager with far more complexity than the competition, and 5.3% alcohol. One to sip and savor. There’s also a wheat beer version—for you Shock Top and Blue Moon fans.

Modelo—This sister beer to Negra Modelo is touted as a premium beer and comes with a neck wrapped in foil in bottles, but in reality most people wouldn’t be able to distinguish it from most others in a taste test. It has a little more body and heavier finish than the Corona class though and also comes in cans.

Dos XX Lager—The Rolling Rock of Mexico, in a green bottle with a strangely sweet taste. Available in cans as well.

Carta Blanca and Estrella—These two similar-tasting brands used to be quite common, but seem to be fading away into obscurity. Neither is a standout, but Carta Blanca is now the cheapest one on the shelf in a store. That would normally make it popular with those on a budget, but at just 4% alcohol, it’s not.

Corona—One of the five best-selling beers in the world, but it usually tastes better in Mexico, where the bottles don’t have so much time in transit and on shelves. (Sunlight coming through clear bottles is never a good thing for beer.) This is the typical “drink all afternoon” beer, working well on its own or with a plate of tacos. Refreshing with a lime.

Sol—While Corona wins the marketing wars in the U.S., Sol is the winning brand in much of Mexico, despite not being a standout in any respect. You see the logo plastered everywhere and it’s seemingly on every restaurant and bar menu. Like Corona, it’s simple and inoffensive, but still slightly more flavorful than your typical American macrobrew. At its best ice cold, and progressively worse as it gets warmer.

Montejo—Named after the Spaniard who conquered the Yucatan and left a trail of blood in his wake. Less dramatic than its name would suggest, but a nice change of pace.

Superior—Very similar in taste to Montejo and available in big returnable bottles or cans.

Pacifico—A bit more bitter and hefty than Corona, Montejo, or Sol, many beer drinkers view this as the best of the light lagers and it is especially popular in the western half of the country. Launched by three Germans in Mazatlan in 1900 and still brewed there.

Corona Especial—There’s nothing “especial” about this cheaper beer and it bears little resemblance to the regular Corona. Available in big quart bottles when quantity is more important than quality.

Tecate—Sold mostly in cans, this is a “load up the cooler” kind of beer that is nothing to get excited about. If you are staying at a low-end all-inclusive resort, this is what they will probably be serving.

Tecate Titanium—An old-school malt liquor like you find in 40-ounce bottles in the USA, but here “high alcohol” is relative. This one is at 5.5% and is basically regular Tecate with a bit more buzz for your buck.

Tecate Light—Billed by a friend who lived in Mexico for a year as “the worst beer I have ever tasted,” this is one to avoid at all costs unless you are on a crash diet. It’s as bad as Coors Light, which is saying a lot. Has 3.9% alcohol.