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Tecate Original
Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A. de C.V.


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A. de C.V.
- Mexico
- Style:
- American Adjunct Lager
Ranked #248 - ABV:
- 4.5%
- Score:
- 61
Ranked #30,133 - Avg:
- 2.56 | pDev: 26.17%
- Reviews:
- 639
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 08, 2023
- Added:
- May 20, 2001
- Wants:
- 24
- Gots:
- 464
SCORE
61
Poor
61
Poor


Notes:
Born on the western bicultural borderland of Baja California, Mexico, Tecate® was originally created in 1944 to be the perfect thirst quencher for the miners working in the area. We are still proudly brewed in our namesake town of Tecate, using the same high quality recipe. Tecate® Original is a full-bodied lager with a refreshing crisp malt flavor and a pleasant aftertaste – the way a Mexican cerveza should be.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Father-of-two from California
3.96/5 rDev +54.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.96/5 rDev +54.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Presentation: 12 ounce can poured into a pint glass
Looks bright golden but clear. Good size head
Smells a bit more malty than the typical adjunct lager. Bit of a floral smell too.
Taste: has a roasted malt and grainy taste. Minor hops taste. Tastes better than I thought it would.
Feels smooth in the mouth. Easy to drink.
Overall this is better then the average Mexican lager. It is also cheaper than the other Mexican beers somehow. I enjoy this beer with food particularly. Very refreshing after a long day at work!
Apr 13, 2023Looks bright golden but clear. Good size head
Smells a bit more malty than the typical adjunct lager. Bit of a floral smell too.
Taste: has a roasted malt and grainy taste. Minor hops taste. Tastes better than I thought it would.
Feels smooth in the mouth. Easy to drink.
Overall this is better then the average Mexican lager. It is also cheaper than the other Mexican beers somehow. I enjoy this beer with food particularly. Very refreshing after a long day at work!
Reviewed by AzImbiber
3.54/5 rDev +38.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.54/5 rDev +38.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A true sleeper beer. It shapes shifts. Drink from a can and it's a thin mouthful but tasty. Smells like an average macro lager. The recipe is German (they settled Mexico when it came to beer-making) so grains, hops apparent in that smell and taste. Pale mexican lager if you use a glass. It's a full-caloried beer acting like a light beer. I love the taste and there is a clean aftertaste. The only catch is these need to be really cold. The warmer the worse. Yes, on of those beers. I would urge all of you to keep rating it under 2.5 so it will never become cool and always be affordable.
Apr 06, 2023Rated by SoundMakesSense from Indiana
2.83/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
2.83/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Not a bad lawnmowing/grilling beer
Mar 05, 2023Rated by mfletterman from North Carolina
4.54/5 rDev +77.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.54/5 rDev +77.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This is a very good thirst quenching beer.
Mar 05, 2023Reviewed by DrOfGolf from Delaware
2.38/5 rDev -7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
2.38/5 rDev -7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2.25
Clear light copper color with a small white head. Smell was of something dank and no malt and hops Light body with a watery mouthfeel and a strange tin-like bitterness.
Aug 14, 2022Reviewed by Brook82 from Ohio
2.56/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.56/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Had a draft served in 24 oz mug. Hazy, cloudy look that left light lacing. Citrusy aroma and taste was slightly juicy, not sweet. Easy drinking, but didn't really resonate with my taste buds. Won't be ordering again.
Jun 23, 2022Reviewed by JZH1000 from Colorado
3.2/5 rDev +25%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
3.2/5 rDev +25%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Poured from a 32oz bottle best by November 2022.
On the pour a fizzy one finger head forms then dissipates relatively quickly leaving a ring around the glass amd some light bubbles floating on top. It looks quite light, with a not quite yellow light straw colored body and streams of lively carbonation. Brilliantly clear.
Aroma is largely corny malt, with a hit of slightly skunked hops on the back end. The hops are actually detectable which for the style is nice. Slightly funky from the skunk but it sort of brings the mexican beer vibe and some hop aroma is still intact.
Flavor follows the aroma with a bit of a mineral hard water taste on the front that quickly morphs into a corny malty lightly bitter but smooth "beer flavor". Quite crisp despite the hint of skunk and the malts are quite prominent with a corny but not syrupy sweetness that leaves you feeling refreshed but like you're drinking real beer.
Feel is a bit light and watery with a decent carbonation bite before the head builds up and gives a bit of texture. Doesn't feel very big but that makes it quite refreshing. I just wish it was a little less watery, but the strong malt flavor makes up for it.
Overall one of my favorite Mexican lagers solely for the flavor. Cheap beer either gets the feel right or the flavor right and this one almost nailed the flavor, unlike most American beers which go only for a good feel. This one is a bit light but actually tastes quite nice.
Jun 18, 2022On the pour a fizzy one finger head forms then dissipates relatively quickly leaving a ring around the glass amd some light bubbles floating on top. It looks quite light, with a not quite yellow light straw colored body and streams of lively carbonation. Brilliantly clear.
Aroma is largely corny malt, with a hit of slightly skunked hops on the back end. The hops are actually detectable which for the style is nice. Slightly funky from the skunk but it sort of brings the mexican beer vibe and some hop aroma is still intact.
Flavor follows the aroma with a bit of a mineral hard water taste on the front that quickly morphs into a corny malty lightly bitter but smooth "beer flavor". Quite crisp despite the hint of skunk and the malts are quite prominent with a corny but not syrupy sweetness that leaves you feeling refreshed but like you're drinking real beer.
Feel is a bit light and watery with a decent carbonation bite before the head builds up and gives a bit of texture. Doesn't feel very big but that makes it quite refreshing. I just wish it was a little less watery, but the strong malt flavor makes up for it.
Overall one of my favorite Mexican lagers solely for the flavor. Cheap beer either gets the feel right or the flavor right and this one almost nailed the flavor, unlike most American beers which go only for a good feel. This one is a bit light but actually tastes quite nice.
Reviewed by jonmikel from Spain
3.25/5 rDev +27%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.25/5 rDev +27%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Drunk during my trip to Silao (Guanajuato, México). Normal mexican bottle.
Appearance: Pours a clear, pale golden color with a moderate lacy white head.
Aroma: Minimal aromas of cracker malts. Faint.
Flavor: Mild flavors of cracker and pale malts. A balanced finish.
Feel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation.
Overall: A crisp Mexican Lager. Mild on aroma, flavor, and body. Crisp and clean.
May 23, 2022Appearance: Pours a clear, pale golden color with a moderate lacy white head.
Aroma: Minimal aromas of cracker malts. Faint.
Flavor: Mild flavors of cracker and pale malts. A balanced finish.
Feel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation.
Overall: A crisp Mexican Lager. Mild on aroma, flavor, and body. Crisp and clean.
Reviewed by md3kcn from North Carolina
2.53/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
2.53/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Purchased as a 32oz bottle from Citgo for $2.99. Poured into a nonic pint glass.
L - Clear gold, with a quick-to-dissipate two-finger pale white head.
S - Light grains, corn. A little herbal. Oyster crackers.
T - Exactly same as the nose. Better than you'd expect.
F - Light-medium in body, with plenty of carbonation. Filling, but still super drinkable. Refreshing.
O - Honestly, a fairly average Mexican lager - but my favorite (tied with Modelo Negra). Not bad at all, but an objectively bad brew. I'd definitely get this one again, but paired with tacos from a truck. Worth a try.
May 07, 2022L - Clear gold, with a quick-to-dissipate two-finger pale white head.
S - Light grains, corn. A little herbal. Oyster crackers.
T - Exactly same as the nose. Better than you'd expect.
F - Light-medium in body, with plenty of carbonation. Filling, but still super drinkable. Refreshing.
O - Honestly, a fairly average Mexican lager - but my favorite (tied with Modelo Negra). Not bad at all, but an objectively bad brew. I'd definitely get this one again, but paired with tacos from a truck. Worth a try.
Rated by davidward from Florida
2/5 rDev -21.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
2/5 rDev -21.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
A generic Mexican lager.
Mar 24, 2022Rated by datstankadank from New Jersey
3.31/5 rDev +29.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev +29.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Pleasantly surprised with the quality. Lasting head, sticky lace, malt forward taste. Good beer
Feb 03, 2022Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin
3.52/5 rDev +37.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.52/5 rDev +37.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a clear, pale golden color with a moderate lacy white head. SRM of 7. (3.75)
Aroma: Minimal aromas of cracker malts. Faint. (3.50)
Flavor: Mild flavors of cracker and pale malts. A balanced finish. (3.50)
Feel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation. (3.50)
Compared to Modelo 1/18/22: Pours a more pale color. Milder aromas and flavors. Less honey, bread, and Mexican spice. Winner: Modelo
Overall: A crisp Mexican Lager. Mild on aroma, flavor, and body. Not terrible adjunct flavors though. It probably would drink similar to a Corona. Crisp and clean. (Final Rating: 3.52)
Jan 18, 2022Aroma: Minimal aromas of cracker malts. Faint. (3.50)
Flavor: Mild flavors of cracker and pale malts. A balanced finish. (3.50)
Feel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation. (3.50)
Compared to Modelo 1/18/22: Pours a more pale color. Milder aromas and flavors. Less honey, bread, and Mexican spice. Winner: Modelo
Overall: A crisp Mexican Lager. Mild on aroma, flavor, and body. Not terrible adjunct flavors though. It probably would drink similar to a Corona. Crisp and clean. (Final Rating: 3.52)
Reviewed by chum_husk from Minnesota
2/5 rDev -21.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
2/5 rDev -21.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
tall boy enjoyed this past summer, review from notes
metal and corn. and rotten corn. and aluminum. and skunk. and metal and faint booze. avoid this mexi budweiser
Dec 09, 2021metal and corn. and rotten corn. and aluminum. and skunk. and metal and faint booze. avoid this mexi budweiser
Reviewed by Skywave from Oklahoma
3/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
3/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Appearance:
Golden, with a very slight haze. Thin head, minimal lace.
Aroma:
Corn, white grapes, sulfur.
Flavor:
Corny, syrupy, slight floral hops.
Mouthfeel:
Light, nominal CO2, goes down easy.
Overall:
I am shocked that I have never reviewed Tecate. I have had both it and the light version many times. Overall, It is not terrible, but not great either.
Nov 29, 2021Golden, with a very slight haze. Thin head, minimal lace.
Aroma:
Corn, white grapes, sulfur.
Flavor:
Corny, syrupy, slight floral hops.
Mouthfeel:
Light, nominal CO2, goes down easy.
Overall:
I am shocked that I have never reviewed Tecate. I have had both it and the light version many times. Overall, It is not terrible, but not great either.
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon
3.24/5 rDev +26.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.24/5 rDev +26.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Look: Clear golden in color with a fizzy and noisy head that billows up and quickly recedes to a lid, leaving good lacing behind
Aroma: Barley malt, bread, light floral hop notes, and cereal grains
Taste: Cereal grains and barley malt kick it off and quickly followed by some nice but light floral notes that filter in and blend well. Kind of watery in the middle before grains resurface and close it out
Mouthfeel: Light and a decent body but definitely on the ‘watery’ spectrum, medium-high carbonation, very clean and crisp throughout and on the finish
Overall: I dig it. For a cheap but not “corny” or skunked Mexican lager, I’ve always liked this one and it’s fun to revisit it each year but also a nice test to see if my feelings or palate has changed. It hasn’t – this is still quaffable, refreshing, and not off-putting or cheap tasting, which makes it a winner for me
Nov 27, 2021Aroma: Barley malt, bread, light floral hop notes, and cereal grains
Taste: Cereal grains and barley malt kick it off and quickly followed by some nice but light floral notes that filter in and blend well. Kind of watery in the middle before grains resurface and close it out
Mouthfeel: Light and a decent body but definitely on the ‘watery’ spectrum, medium-high carbonation, very clean and crisp throughout and on the finish
Overall: I dig it. For a cheap but not “corny” or skunked Mexican lager, I’ve always liked this one and it’s fun to revisit it each year but also a nice test to see if my feelings or palate has changed. It hasn’t – this is still quaffable, refreshing, and not off-putting or cheap tasting, which makes it a winner for me
Reviewed by Tony787 from Canada (ON)
3.31/5 rDev +29.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev +29.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I bought a can at the LCBO in Ontario 473ml at 4.5%.
Poured a 1finger head into glass
Clear golden color with good carbonation.
Sweet corn and a little apple
Smooth and light makes it easy to drink.
Overall an ok beer from Mexico.
Cheers.
Oct 14, 2021Poured a 1finger head into glass
Clear golden color with good carbonation.
Sweet corn and a little apple
Smooth and light makes it easy to drink.
Overall an ok beer from Mexico.
Cheers.
Reviewed by BPVandenbroek from Canada (AB)
3.03/5 rDev +18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.03/5 rDev +18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Tecate is crystal clear, and the color of ripe hay, much like any mainstream lager. The head is cloudy, bone white, and shows decent retention.
At first blush, Tecate smells of white bread and soda crackers. From there, the aroma thins out somewhat, initially leaning more towards the aroma of soda cracker. In the middle, the nose becomes more neutral, lacking the roundness you might find in European pilsners. The finish offers hints of leafiness and fresh cut grass, indicating use of European hops, at least.
On the tongue, Tecate starts out smooth, and light in body. Malt profile makes itself known in the form of soda crackers, and yesterday's biscuits. In the center there's just a hint of green apple tartness, although still none of the rounded quality of a European pilsner. The finish is European enough, giving me hop flavors in the form of peppercorns and dried leafiness.
It's not a world class lager by any means. But it is crisp, light in body, and completely refreshing. And that is in large part what you pay a lager to be on a hot, summer day.
Jul 07, 2021At first blush, Tecate smells of white bread and soda crackers. From there, the aroma thins out somewhat, initially leaning more towards the aroma of soda cracker. In the middle, the nose becomes more neutral, lacking the roundness you might find in European pilsners. The finish offers hints of leafiness and fresh cut grass, indicating use of European hops, at least.
On the tongue, Tecate starts out smooth, and light in body. Malt profile makes itself known in the form of soda crackers, and yesterday's biscuits. In the center there's just a hint of green apple tartness, although still none of the rounded quality of a European pilsner. The finish is European enough, giving me hop flavors in the form of peppercorns and dried leafiness.
It's not a world class lager by any means. But it is crisp, light in body, and completely refreshing. And that is in large part what you pay a lager to be on a hot, summer day.
Reviewed by JohnniEMc from Pennsylvania
2.44/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.44/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
The contents of two 12 ounce cans were combined until a clear glass Imperial pint mug was filled. The beer is a bright and very lightly colored amber, almost as clear as seltzer water. A slight head occurred during the pour, but there's very little within a minute or so. It's almost odorless, unlike some American Adjuncts which at least throw a little malty sweetness or a little yeast toward the nose. There is far more glass lacing than there is taste. But, it's not all bad. Somehow the malt that doesn't show in the taste, creates a pleasantly bodied brew. This isn't malty to taste, so it is in good balance with the very mild dose of hops. Perhaps, under the right circumstances, this might pass as an acceptable session beer.
Jun 29, 2021Reviewed by Tacoma223 from New York
5/5 rDev +95.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +95.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Absolutely enjoyed this beer a lot. Pours a nice golden beer color. Nice foamy head that goes away rather quickly . But seriously smooth/ malty/sweet corn taste. Amazing on a nice hot day outside. It goes down super easy and doesn’t make you feel bloated. Don’t know why this is rated so poorly.
Apr 25, 2021
Tecate Original from Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A. de C.V.
Beer rating:
61 out of
100 with
2236 ratings
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