Modelo Especial
Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V.


Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V.
- Mexico
- Style:
- Lager - Adjunct
Ranked #118 - ABV:
- 4.4%
- Score:
- 67
Ranked #29,763 - Avg:
- 2.86 | pDev: 22.38%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Yesterday at 02:13 AM
- Added:
- Aug 22, 2001
- Wants:
- 43
- Gots:
- 812
SCORE
67
Poor
67
Poor


Notes:
Brewed as a model of what good beer should be, this rich, full-flavored Pilsner-style Lager delivers a crisp, refreshing taste.
Well-balanced taste and light hop character with a crisp, clean finish. Modelo Especial is characterized by an orange blossom honey aroma with a hint of herb.
Well-balanced taste and light hop character with a crisp, clean finish. Modelo Especial is characterized by an orange blossom honey aroma with a hint of herb.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.49 by toadpoacher09 on Yesterday at 02:13 AM
3.3/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by tolar111 from New York
This beer pours a dark brown color with a frothy off white head that quickly fades into nothingness, leaving no lacing as the beer is consumed. The smell is light with roasted malt and adjunct corn. The taste is a pleasant bitter sweet interplay between the roasted grains and the sweet corn. The feel is appropriate for the style, moderate and slightly prickly. Overall this is a decent brew. I'm ok with regular Corona and Modelo so this beer isn't too far from either of those.
Sunday at 05:05 PM
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by tolar111 from New York
This beer pours a dark brown color with a frothy off white head that quickly fades into nothingness, leaving no lacing as the beer is consumed. The smell is light with roasted malt and adjunct corn. The taste is a pleasant bitter sweet interplay between the roasted grains and the sweet corn. The feel is appropriate for the style, moderate and slightly prickly. Overall this is a decent brew. I'm ok with regular Corona and Modelo so this beer isn't too far from either of those.
Sunday at 05:05 PM
4.16/5 rDev +45.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by J_Brew_99 from Colorado
Smooth and easy drinking! Very refreshing and a great lager style beer. Can never go wrong with it at the store and has a good mid tier price
Apr 27, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by J_Brew_99 from Colorado
Smooth and easy drinking! Very refreshing and a great lager style beer. Can never go wrong with it at the store and has a good mid tier price
Apr 27, 2022
3.03/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by tekstr1der from New Hampshire
Really nothing offensive going on with this one. I truly enjoy the Negro, but this one is still not quite as good to my taste buds as PBR. I'm searching for a truly tasty adjunct lager as I've been remiss to avoid them over the past decade or so. This was not bad, and I'd happily have another.
Apr 14, 2022
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
by tekstr1der from New Hampshire
Really nothing offensive going on with this one. I truly enjoy the Negro, but this one is still not quite as good to my taste buds as PBR. I'm searching for a truly tasty adjunct lager as I've been remiss to avoid them over the past decade or so. This was not bad, and I'd happily have another.
Apr 14, 2022
3.42 by joran from Kansas on Apr 09, 2022
2.06/5 rDev -28%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
by GuyOnAComputer
This beer gives me a headache after 3 or 4. Flavor is real grainy and bitter, like a 70s American beer. I've tried this in glass bottles and cans and it's definitely better in a bottle, which goes against the general rule of: keg > can > bottle. All should be served in a glass, of course. Apparently, this is one beer that requires slight oxygenation of an imperfect bottle cap seal to give it a better flavor. The bottle isn't real skunky, surprisingly, but still only good for 1-2 beers max.
Apr 08, 2022
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
by GuyOnAComputer
This beer gives me a headache after 3 or 4. Flavor is real grainy and bitter, like a 70s American beer. I've tried this in glass bottles and cans and it's definitely better in a bottle, which goes against the general rule of: keg > can > bottle. All should be served in a glass, of course. Apparently, this is one beer that requires slight oxygenation of an imperfect bottle cap seal to give it a better flavor. The bottle isn't real skunky, surprisingly, but still only good for 1-2 beers max.
Apr 08, 2022
3.3/5 rDev +15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by odannyob from Colorado
Right now, the medias are bombarding this beer with massive buck backing (at least in these here parts) and that's just ok, anyway. Go'head and inundate, media-heads. I don't care. The beer is pretty light, real easy to down a few and eventually tastes ok enough to evoke this review. Personally, it's fine and I enjoy having it when I want to. I've also been enjoying Modelo long before the massive ads were let loose to let me know I should be defiant enough to drink it. Its' an ok beer, not an attitude.
Mar 31, 2022
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by odannyob from Colorado
Right now, the medias are bombarding this beer with massive buck backing (at least in these here parts) and that's just ok, anyway. Go'head and inundate, media-heads. I don't care. The beer is pretty light, real easy to down a few and eventually tastes ok enough to evoke this review. Personally, it's fine and I enjoy having it when I want to. I've also been enjoying Modelo long before the massive ads were let loose to let me know I should be defiant enough to drink it. Its' an ok beer, not an attitude.
Mar 31, 2022
3.52 by nicksws6797 on Mar 24, 2022
1.63 by Jwa11s on Mar 21, 2022
3.86 by MatthewJW from Wisconsin on Mar 21, 2022
3.48 by npolak00 on Mar 14, 2022
2.4 by spicychimichurri on Mar 12, 2022
3.78/5 rDev +32.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Dr_Bahmbay13 from Michigan
Great beer. Great beer with food!!!
Mar 06, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Dr_Bahmbay13 from Michigan
Great beer. Great beer with food!!!
Mar 06, 2022
4.5 by etan420 on Mar 01, 2022
4.25 by bottom_ramen on Feb 23, 2022
2.78 by DrewTheBrew from Ohio on Feb 19, 2022
1.64 by WCKDVBZ from South Carolina on Feb 18, 2022
3.41 by jeffch113 on Feb 10, 2022
2.79 by datstankadank from New Jersey on Feb 09, 2022
4.51 by mr_pibb_md on Feb 02, 2022
2.14/5 rDev -25.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2
by TheMatts
Great presentation. Clear golden straw color. Just not a good taste. It doesn’t taste like a whole lot. Basic lager taste with maybe a lil bit more bitterness than other American style macrobrews. It does taste better with a lime. Taste like water down beer. No aftertaste. Fun note: it does make salsa taste sweeter if you pair the two. It’s cold and that masks a lot of flavor, but I can safely say I don’t want it any warmer.
Feb 02, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2
by TheMatts
Great presentation. Clear golden straw color. Just not a good taste. It doesn’t taste like a whole lot. Basic lager taste with maybe a lil bit more bitterness than other American style macrobrews. It does taste better with a lime. Taste like water down beer. No aftertaste. Fun note: it does make salsa taste sweeter if you pair the two. It’s cold and that masks a lot of flavor, but I can safely say I don’t want it any warmer.
Feb 02, 2022
3.77 by willlawrence on Jan 29, 2022
3.23 by WlSH_YOU_WERE_BEER from New York on Jan 19, 2022
3.26/5 rDev +14%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3
by ramseye4 from Virginia
Consumed straight from the bottle as most probably do.
Appearance in the bottle is a nice golden color, thin looking
Aroma is malty, a little grassy, bread, and some caramel. Not bad
Taste is metallic, with some faint grassy malt and ricey taste. Not as good as the aroma
Mouthfeel is highly carbonated and flows around the tongue. Very nice
Overall beers like these can be a bit of a dilemma to review. It’s not really fair to completely hold it to the same rating standard as a Belgian quad, just as I don’t compare a burger from Hardee’s to a burger from a gourmet restaurant. I tried to land it in the middle. It’s a solid, no frills, toss a few back when mowing the grass or grilling beer.
With that being said, a big con is that the value really isn’t there. It’s 15 dollars at my local grocery store for a 12 pack when spending an extra 2 dollars improves your options significantly. If it was 12 bucks for a 12 pack I’d say it would be worth keeping in your stable year round, but priced as is I’d only get it on sale.
Jan 18, 2022
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3
by ramseye4 from Virginia
Consumed straight from the bottle as most probably do.
Appearance in the bottle is a nice golden color, thin looking
Aroma is malty, a little grassy, bread, and some caramel. Not bad
Taste is metallic, with some faint grassy malt and ricey taste. Not as good as the aroma
Mouthfeel is highly carbonated and flows around the tongue. Very nice
Overall beers like these can be a bit of a dilemma to review. It’s not really fair to completely hold it to the same rating standard as a Belgian quad, just as I don’t compare a burger from Hardee’s to a burger from a gourmet restaurant. I tried to land it in the middle. It’s a solid, no frills, toss a few back when mowing the grass or grilling beer.
With that being said, a big con is that the value really isn’t there. It’s 15 dollars at my local grocery store for a 12 pack when spending an extra 2 dollars improves your options significantly. If it was 12 bucks for a 12 pack I’d say it would be worth keeping in your stable year round, but priced as is I’d only get it on sale.
Jan 18, 2022
1.8/5 rDev -37.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2
by hankp59 from New York
Clear bottle skunk. Pours a nice golden color with small head and lots of bubbles. Light mouthfeel with no sense of carbonation on palette. Very little malt and a slight bitterness but no sense of hops. Pass
Jan 10, 2022
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 1.75 | overall: 2
by hankp59 from New York
Clear bottle skunk. Pours a nice golden color with small head and lots of bubbles. Light mouthfeel with no sense of carbonation on palette. Very little malt and a slight bitterness but no sense of hops. Pass
Jan 10, 2022
3.22 by Zaphog from Michigan on Jan 09, 2022
3.28/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by wadamslll
Been wanting to try this one for a while. Bohemia is my favorite Mexican lager. Modelo is #2. It’s a crisp, sweet solid lager beer. I should pour the next one into a glass, but straight out of can is fine. It’s a bit close to regular Budweiser but without the bitter aftertaste. $15 for a 12 pack but worth the extra $5 over a 12 of Bud. While I had the funds I mean. PBR is next for me, then Rolling Rock. Just trying to nail down a good cheap lager. On the hunt as it were. Cheers!
Jan 03, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by wadamslll
Been wanting to try this one for a while. Bohemia is my favorite Mexican lager. Modelo is #2. It’s a crisp, sweet solid lager beer. I should pour the next one into a glass, but straight out of can is fine. It’s a bit close to regular Budweiser but without the bitter aftertaste. $15 for a 12 pack but worth the extra $5 over a 12 of Bud. While I had the funds I mean. PBR is next for me, then Rolling Rock. Just trying to nail down a good cheap lager. On the hunt as it were. Cheers!
Jan 03, 2022
2.65 by Stevedore from Oregon on Jan 02, 2022
4.25/5 rDev +48.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Fordcoyote15 from Pennsylvania
Above average AAL.
Dec 25, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Fordcoyote15 from Pennsylvania
Above average AAL.
Dec 25, 2021
2.7/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
by bushbeer75 from Michigan
poured from a 12oz brown bottle
Modelo Especial poured a clear yellow in hue with a 1-finger white head that dissipated quickly. Just a very thin ring of foam remained. The aroma is clean /fresh of light corn, malt and a little grassy. The taste matches the aroma with a very light bitterness. Mouth feel is light bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation.
These Mexica Lagers sure are designed for a hot Mexican climate as they go down easy. To date, Dos Equis is my favorite Mexican brew…especially their Amber.
Dec 03, 2021
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
by bushbeer75 from Michigan
poured from a 12oz brown bottle
Modelo Especial poured a clear yellow in hue with a 1-finger white head that dissipated quickly. Just a very thin ring of foam remained. The aroma is clean /fresh of light corn, malt and a little grassy. The taste matches the aroma with a very light bitterness. Mouth feel is light bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation.
These Mexica Lagers sure are designed for a hot Mexican climate as they go down easy. To date, Dos Equis is my favorite Mexican brew…especially their Amber.
Dec 03, 2021
3.42 by ohbigun from West Virginia on Nov 24, 2021
3.93 by Rhetion from Florida on Nov 18, 2021
3.31 by Curt3 from New Jersey on Nov 18, 2021
2.24/5 rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
12 oz clear bottle
clear, light golden color, foamy white head. not much of an aroma until it starts to warm then it starts to get a little vegetal. taste is bland corny grainy flavor, a little sweet. thin and fizzy
Nov 12, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25
by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania
12 oz clear bottle
clear, light golden color, foamy white head. not much of an aroma until it starts to warm then it starts to get a little vegetal. taste is bland corny grainy flavor, a little sweet. thin and fizzy
Nov 12, 2021
3.14/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
by JZH1000 from Colorado
12oz glass bottle
On the pour I had to get aggressive to create any head, which disappears in front of my eyes before I even put the bottle back down. Obviously no lacing its generic beer color just a tad darker than straw.
Smell is very light, inoffensive, and uninteresting. Yeast and corn that's about it. It is pleasant if you like the smell of bread and generic beer. No hops on the nose.
Taste follows the nose but I can detect hops other wise this would be a bland, corny, sweet mess. The hops balance just enough to where it gets smooth enough to achieve the legendary status it has among Mexican beers. Still not as corny as pacifico but it's been a while since I've had that.
Feel is easy drinking with not a lot for the mouth to ponder, perfect for getting stuff done. It's hard to hate on beers like this as long as they arent of super low quality even if the recipe is boring. They get their job done and this is no exception which is why I dont go below 3 in any of my categories except look (this make the head dissapear trick modelo pulled is annoying). Below 50% is a fail in my book, and none of this is objectively bad (except the stupid bubbles), it is unremarkable, but thats kinda the point.
Overall you dont gotta think while you drink (unless you're writing a pointlessly long review on something everyone's had) and you can just do whatever: get some work done, or relax somewhere and watch the clouds/waves go by.
But the head situation is very disappointing.
Nov 11, 2021
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
by JZH1000 from Colorado
12oz glass bottle
On the pour I had to get aggressive to create any head, which disappears in front of my eyes before I even put the bottle back down. Obviously no lacing its generic beer color just a tad darker than straw.
Smell is very light, inoffensive, and uninteresting. Yeast and corn that's about it. It is pleasant if you like the smell of bread and generic beer. No hops on the nose.
Taste follows the nose but I can detect hops other wise this would be a bland, corny, sweet mess. The hops balance just enough to where it gets smooth enough to achieve the legendary status it has among Mexican beers. Still not as corny as pacifico but it's been a while since I've had that.
Feel is easy drinking with not a lot for the mouth to ponder, perfect for getting stuff done. It's hard to hate on beers like this as long as they arent of super low quality even if the recipe is boring. They get their job done and this is no exception which is why I dont go below 3 in any of my categories except look (this make the head dissapear trick modelo pulled is annoying). Below 50% is a fail in my book, and none of this is objectively bad (except the stupid bubbles), it is unremarkable, but thats kinda the point.
Overall you dont gotta think while you drink (unless you're writing a pointlessly long review on something everyone's had) and you can just do whatever: get some work done, or relax somewhere and watch the clouds/waves go by.
But the head situation is very disappointing.
Nov 11, 2021
2.67/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by 1BrewBacca from Georgia
Look: Clear golden amber with a thin white head that didn't hold up long. Some foam lace on the sides.
Smell and Taste: Kinda like a Budweiser to me.
Feel: Thin and watery with some carbonation thrown in.
Overall: Nothing (E)special here. Let's move on.
Nov 10, 2021
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
by 1BrewBacca from Georgia
Look: Clear golden amber with a thin white head that didn't hold up long. Some foam lace on the sides.
Smell and Taste: Kinda like a Budweiser to me.
Feel: Thin and watery with some carbonation thrown in.
Overall: Nothing (E)special here. Let's move on.
Nov 10, 2021
2.67 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Nov 04, 2021
3.9/5 rDev +36.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by nizzle8287 from Texas
Mexican pilsner-style lager actually tastes really good. Not filling, not overwhelming, not astringent, not high alcohol, not highly carbonated, all really makes this a really easy-going beer that leaves a traditional and even slightly European light-beer taste in the mouth. Could be much better with different carbonation tactics.
Nov 01, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by nizzle8287 from Texas
Mexican pilsner-style lager actually tastes really good. Not filling, not overwhelming, not astringent, not high alcohol, not highly carbonated, all really makes this a really easy-going beer that leaves a traditional and even slightly European light-beer taste in the mouth. Could be much better with different carbonation tactics.
Nov 01, 2021
2.6 by biteme398 from Virginia on Oct 26, 2021
3.02 by rdub from Pennsylvania on Oct 25, 2021
Modelo Especial from Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V.
Beer rating:
67 out of
100 with
2734 ratings