The 6 Most Popular Craft Beer Styles in Mexico

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Mexico is the fourth largest beer consuming country in the world, with 10,787 million liters in 2024 according to the latest report from Kirin Holdings, and since 2010 it has been the largest beer exporter on the planet. Almost all of that volume is industrial lager.

Craft beer is still a tiny fraction of the market, just 0.22% of total volume according to the Unión Cervecera Independiente, formerly ACERMEX, with 2023 data. But its production grew from about 15,000 hectoliters in 2012 to more than 337,000 in 2022.

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Fortunately, and thanks to the wide variety of styles offered by Mexican craft beers, tastes are gradually changing.

There is no official record of which craft styles sell best in Mexico, so this list brings together the six styles that appear most often on the menus of the country’s craft breweries and specialty bars.

1. India Pale Ale

Probably the style most often ordered by craft beer lovers is India Pale Ale, better known as IPA.

Although it is a beer style that originated in England, American versions have made a powerful comeback in recent years.

The main feature of these beers is the strong bitterness that comes from the hops, along with their typical amber color and an aroma with citrus notes. In recent years Hazy IPAs have also become popular, cloudy and low in bitterness, and they taste like fruit juice without containing fruit.

2. Stout

Stout style beers are one of the favorites among Mexican consumers of craft beer.

They are considered the darkest and heaviest beers, although their alcohol level is often lower than that of other beer styles.

In the craft beer world it is hard to tell the styles apart, Stout and Porter, but as a general rule Stouts are said to be made with unmalted roasted barley, which gives them their characteristic roasted coffee flavor.

3. Porter

Porters are an English beer style lighter than Stouts, with a full body and dark hues, although slightly less opaque.

It is the favorite group for those who want a dark beer that is not too heavy, which is why it has become a style that lends itself very well to pairing with different cuisines.

Unlike Stouts, these beers are made with malted barley.

4. Pilsner

The Pilsner style belongs to the pale lager family, the most consumed in the world, and although it is a style generally associated with large industrial breweries, the craft versions are worth trying, as they usually have more defined flavors.

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Although it is considered a light beer compared with other craft styles, it has refreshing qualities that make it an ideal drink for warm climates like those in many Mexican states.

Close by is Vienna Lager, an amber lager that arrived in Mexico in the 19th century and that many craft breweries reinterpret as a tribute to that tradition.

5. Seasonal Styles

Seasonal beer styles are those that use ingredients different from the ones we usually find in a beer.

We know the basic ingredients for brewing beer are water, barley or wheat malt, hops and yeast, but in the craft beer world experimenting with more ingredients is fair game, as long as they add flavor and are not simply there to cut costs.

You can find pumpkin beers, cempasúchil flowers, Oaxacan chocolate, hazelnut and vanilla, coconut and chiles, among many others. And the Mexican tradition of fermented drinks goes beyond European beer, as shown by the Rarámuri tesgüino, made from corn.

6. Wheat Beers

Wheat beers are considered one of the most refreshing styles out there. The names used to identify them are Hefeweizen or Weissbier.

They are characterized by their pale color and a certain level of haze, since the style guidelines recommend leaving them unfiltered.

They have a bready note, with a touch of sweetness and a very light sour flavor. Many consider them the gateway to the world of craft beer.

How to Pair These Styles with Mexican Food?

Wheat beers and Pilsners go well with seafood, ceviches and fish tacos, because their lightness does not mask the acidity of the lime. IPAs stand up to spicy and fatty dishes, while Stouts and Porters go with mole and chocolate desserts.

To go further, there is a complete guide to beer and Mexican food pairings. And anyone who wants to get into the business on the mass consumption side can read how to open a Modelorama.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where does Mexico rank in beer consumption?

Mexico is the fourth largest country in the world in total beer consumption, with 10,787 million liters in 2024, behind China, the United States and Brazil, according to the Kirin Holdings report published in December 2025. In per capita consumption it ranks 12th, with 83.4 liters.

2. How big is craft beer in Mexico?

According to the Unión Cervecera Independiente, formerly ACERMEX, Mexican craft beer accounted for just 0.22% of total volume in 2023. Its production grew from about 15,000 hectoliters in 2012 to more than 337,000 in 2022.

3. What are the 6 most common craft beer styles in Mexico?

The styles that appear most often on the menus of Mexican craft breweries are India Pale Ale, Stout, Porter, Pilsner, seasonal beers with local ingredients such as cempasúchil or chocolate, and wheat beers such as Weissbier.

4. What is the difference between a Stout and a Porter?

Stout usually contains unmalted roasted barley, which gives it a more pronounced coffee flavor and a black color, while Porter uses roasted malts and is somewhat lighter and browner. Historically, Stout was born as a stronger Porter.

5. Does Mexico export more beer than any other country?

Yes. Mexico has been the world’s largest beer exporter since 2010, according to Cerveceros de México. In 2023 it exported about 6.35 billion dollars’ worth of beer, almost three times as much as the Netherlands, the second largest exporter.