Modelo Especial has ascended to the position of premier-selling beer in the United States, a feat that highlights the dynamic beverage landscape. Sales surged by 12% from 2023 to 2024 — a significant accomplishment for the century-old cerveza. Nonetheless, this delicious triumph certainly did not happen overnight. In June 2023, Modelo unseated Bud Light, the Anheuser-Busch entity that had reigned dominant for more than twenty years. By August of the same year, Modelo commanded an 8.34% stake of U.S. beer sales, surpassing Bud Light’s 8.28%, as indicated by NielsenIQ statistics. In October 2024, over 82 million gallons of beer were brought in from Mexico.
Established in 1925 by Cervecería Modelo in Mexico City, Modelo was crafted as a premium lager inspired by German brewing heritage. Its founders endeavored to fuse high-quality components with a brewing method that emphasized artistry. With its distinctive clear bottle embellished with a gold seal, Modelo has distinguished itself. Today, it exists as one of the many Mexican beers you may wish you had discovered earlier, including Negra Modelo, Victoria, Sol Cerveza, and Estrella Jalisco.
Modelo Especial is the newest beer champion
It required several decades for Modelo Especial to journey northward, where it would eventually ascend the hierarchy. After establishing its name in Mexico, Modelo first appeared on American shelves in 1990. Its acclaim grew, and in 2013, Constellation Brands acquired U.S. distribution privileges, introducing marketing tactics that highlighted durability and quality.
Modelo Especial is a pale lager that features a crisp, refreshing finish and a 4.4% ABV. Its fragrance carries notes of orange blossom honey alongside a hint of herbal essence. The taste of the beer is both dry and well-rounded, presenting a malty foundation accentuated by a trace of citrus brightness. This equilibrium has arguably aided Modelo in attracting both casual consumers and beer enthusiasts.
In contrast to many mainstream lagers that favor neutrality, Modelo retains a sense of genuineness. Whether savored at a backyard cookout, a relaxed social event, or at a bar, Modelo encapsulates moments of unity and celebration.
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