You may remember me from such venues as television advertising, summer vacation, and the Mexican NASCAR series. I am the number one imported beer in the United States. I am Corona. You’ve already had me. That’s right, kids … you’ve already had me.
Tonight’s sudsy companion is accompanying me on a walk through Beef Brisket Forest, along the Green Bean Stream and over Potato Pass. But before I sat down to enjoy the feast, I spent a little time getting to know my fairweather friend. It’s an adjunct lager: light straw colored, extremely clear, with a bubbly white head that’s gone in no time, just like all the other adjunct lagers. It is unassuming and deviously inviting to rookies. Maybe that’s why people who hate beer drink it socially. Or throw fruit in it. It barely smells like some kind of grain, perhaps corn, but really not much else. It has a strange flavor that makes it unique, and makes it more flavorful than BudMillerCoors et al … a little pilsener-y. If I have to drink an adjunct, that’s why I usually would choose Corona. But to be frank, I never go anywhere where I have to drink an adjunct.
I don’t really know what skunk smells or tastes like when it comes to beer, and I’ve read some reviews that call it skunky … I’m not so sure. Skunk sounds bad. And I wouldn’t say that Corona has anything in it that would make your face melt. Unless you were from Belgium: then I would understand that you’d probably drink your own urine before you cracked an adjunct. And I’m on my way there. I like Corona less and less with each bottle I drink.
Now let’s talk about the lime. Here is a tradition that probably is keeping citrus farmers afloat, or aiding greatly in that regard. You never see a Corona without a lime, unless you’re in Mexico. There, it’s about 50/50. Unfortunately for Corona, I’ve had it without lime, and it was super bland and generic. And I think a beer must be able to stand on its own. So, although Corona tastes good on a summer’s day (note: there are WAY better summer beers), I’m giving it a D. It should be ashamed, brainwashing the American public like that and taking money away from Joe American, the hard working craft brewer.
Pobrecito.
ABV: 4.6%
Grade: D
Great review. Poor guy got a D. While I agree with you, Corona is my “go-to” light beer. As for the lime, I’ve tryed putting lime in other lagers (Sierra Nevada Summerfest) and found that it really only goes well with Mexcian lagers. I credit this to the yeast used.
D? Ouch, and yet sitting on a Mexican beach with a bucket (literally) of these babies next to my beach chair…nothing better. Plus, I still like it with Mexican cuisine, but maybe I should be branching out for a better pairing. Modelo? Dos Equis?
Negra Modelo is a damn fine choice. But I’ll admit to throwing back some Coronas or Pacificos or Sols or XX’s or…insert Mexican style lager here–many a time during the warmer months.
Negra Modelo is a great beer.
It was “hard” to give Corona a D, as I have enjoyed it many times. Over the last couple of years I have started moving away from it as my go-to Mexican beer: these days I prefer Pacifico, Negra Modelo, and Dos Equis (their Amber is quite tasty as well) … all great beers that taste great both with AND without a lime.
There’s no escaping Corona’s nostalgic appeal. But I think it blows without a lime, and that means it needs outside help to be palatable. Hence the D.
I concur…I am also of the opinion that Corona sans lime = no gracias. Yet I’m amazed at how they go down so gloriously refreshing (with said fruit) on a hot summer day.
Unfortunately for ‘rona, those are shoes that fit Dos Equis, Modelo, and Sol equally well…and then some.
I forgot about Pacifico. Good call.
I’ve been grabbing some flack for giving this review do some die-hard corona fans. How do I tell them about GOOD summer beers?
Eric,
Granted it all comes down to taste and preference, but here are a few beers I would recommend for the summertime. The range in style so hopefully your friends will find something they like. You really want to find a thrist quenching beer that you can drink multiples of.
New Holland Full Circle
Point Special Lager
Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold Lager
Leine’s Honey Weiss or Sunset Wheat
Anchor Summer Beer
North Coast Blue Star Wheat or Scrimshow Pilsner
Goose Island Summertime
Samuel Adams Pale Ale or Summer Ale (one of my favorites)
Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager
Abita Restoration Ale or Golden Lager
Brooklyn Pilsner
Redhook Sunrye
New Glarus Spotten Cow
Pyramid Curveball
Two Brothers Prairie Path, Bitter End, or Dog Days
Don’t forget Bud Lite Lime! Baaaaahahahahahahaha.
My only complaint about Corona (Extra, don’t really deal in lite beers) is if you let it sit in the sun too long, it turns sour (skunky smell/taste) faster than your every day beer… While I understand your sentiments on the beer not having the “full flavor” most look for in a beer, I have to whole-heartedly disagree that it is “bland and generic”… Like most liquors, people only use a lime with their alcohol because they can’t handle the full experience… And if you’re having to use anything to cover the “harshness” of your alcohol, well, maybe you should pass me your beer, order yourself something fruity and go sit with the ladies. Just sayin’.
Very smooth. One of the better Mexican beers. 8/10