You know what they say, “Taste is a subjective sensation”. Ask any number of beer lovers to compile a list of their favorite ten beers and it is highly unlikely that any two lists would be the same. And it is not a bad thing because if we all liked the same beer, life would be so dull. Well, maybe the question itself is absurd. We have been drinking beers for more than 10,000 years. Believe it or not, but for most of that time people just drank homemade beer or the beer that was made in a communal brewery. The evolution of styles and names of beers is a relatively recent activity.
There is not just one beer that is best for everyone. Today, there are several internationally recognized beer brands and many countries have their own thriving beer industry. Beer is more like a community these days which is different from others in that it provides an affordable, consumable luxury. That being said, the Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev, commonly known as AB InBev, is the largest beer company in the world which owns over 200 global brands, including the Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo which in fact, sells two of the top-selling brands – Corona and Modelo.
What is Corona?
Corona beer is one of the top-selling beer brands in the world and the top-selling beer in Mexico. Corona is the leading export brand of Mexico which is exported to over 150 countries. From no presence in the United States three decades ago to its current status as the leading imported beer in the U.S., Corona has carved out a niche of its own. The sales of Corona have far outpaced the number two in the world, Heineken. Corona is available in Corona Extra and Corona Light. In the 1980’s, a rumor began to circulate that Corona was being contaminated with urine by brewery workers, although that rumor has faded over time. Its light brown Corona Extra is one of the top-selling beers worldwide and is famously served with a slice of lime. The flagship Corona Extra weights 4.6% alcohol by volume and 3.6% by weight, it’s a bit bitter than a regular larger. A second Corona Light is also available with an alcohol content of 3.4% by volume.
What is Modelo?
Modelo is a popular beer brand produced under the banner of Grupo Modelo, which is owned by the same parent company AB InBev. Modelo is the second most favored beer in Mexico and the third best selling drink in the United States. Modelo is exported worldwide in two styles Modelo Especial and Modelo Negra. The Negra Modelo, better known as “the cream of the beer”, is the Mexico’s best-selling dark beer with rich, savory flavor that strikes a perfect balance of caramel, dark malt and hops to offer a remarkably smooth taste. Negra Modelo was initially draught-only and wasn’t bottled until 1930. Further, Modelo Especial is the third most imported brand in the United States and it’s a light, crisp, Pilsner-style beer with rich and refreshing taste. Brewed with premium two-row barley malt, Especial is characterized by an orange blossom honey aroma and slight hint of herb which gives it a clean, crisp taste.
Difference between Corona and Modelo
Type
– Corona is the top-selling Mexican beer and the leading imported beer in the United States, although it is exported to more than 150 countries worldwide. Corona comes in four different types: Corona Extra, Corona Light, Corona Premier, and Corona Familiar. Corona Extra is one of the first beers produced by the company, which has become the world’s best-selling Mexican beer. Corona Light is the lightest of all and is a favorite among light-beer consumers. Corona Premier comes in six packaging options, while Corona Familiar comes in three options.
Modelo is the second-best selling drink in Mexico and the second most popular imported name in the United States. Modelo beer is mainly popular for its two specials – Modelo Especial and Negra Modelo. Modelo Especial is available in both bottles and cans, and it comes in a unique shape sealed with gold. Negra Modelo is the Mexico’s best selling dark beer. There’s Modelo Light, which is the lighter version of the Especial, and then Modelo Chelada which is a classic michelada-style beer.
Content
– Corona Extra is the main Corona brand with an alcohol content of 4.5% by volume and it contains all the natural ingredients, including water, rice, corn, hops, yeast, and barley. Corona Light, as the name suggests, is the lighter version of Corona with an alcohol content of 3.4% by volume, maintaining low carbs and calories. Corona Premier contains 4.0% of alcohol by volume and Corona Familiar contains 4.8% alcohol by volume.
The Pilsner-style Modelo Especial is the number two imported beer in the United States which falls in the range of light beers with a 4.4% alcohol by volume per 12 ounce serving. Its younger sibling Negra Modelo is a 5.4% abv Munich-type beer that strikes a perfect balance of caramel, dark malt and hops. Modelo Chelada is a 3.5% abv michelada-style beer with a perfect mix of tomato, salt and lime.
Corona vs. Modelo: Comparison Chart
Summary
Both Corona and Modelo are two of the top-selling imported beers in the world by Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo, which is owned by the largest beer company in the world AB InBev. Corona beer is one of the top-selling beer brands in the world with a strong presence in over 150 countries. Corona Extra is the flagship brand of the Corona beer and the world’s top-selling Mexican beer. Modelo is quite popular for its two specials, Especial and Negra. While Modelo Especial is a rich-flavored pilsner beer, its younger sibling Negra Modelo is a Munich-style beer.