Modelo vs. Corona Beer: Key Differences and Which One Tastes Better

Modelo vs. Corona debates have been divisive, but they don’t have to be. One of the most common comparisons is which tastes better between Corona and Modelo beer. Although people argue for both sides, there isn’t a definite answer because good taste is subjective.

In this article, we’ll discuss all the differences experts have found between Modelo and Corona beer and how to judge which one tastes better.

Quick Overview – Comparison Table

Before we get into the nitty-gritty part of this review, here is a quick comparison overview of both beers and their components. Here we can see the key differences both beers have, as well as the various similarities they share.

Features	Modelo	Corona
Taste	Rich flavor and taste	Crisp, clean taste
Price	Cheap	Cheap
Ingredients	Barley malts, hops, water and non-malted cereals	Barley malts, hops, water and non-malted cereals
Nutritional composition	Carbs: 13.7g – 15.8g   Calories: 1.1g – 1.5g Protein: 144 – 173	Carbs: 4.8g – 13.9g   Protein: 0.8g – 1.2g Calories: 99 – 148
Alcohol content	3.5 – 5.4 percent	3.4 – 4.8 percent
Types	4 (Modelo Light, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra and Modelo Chelada)	4 (Corona Light, Corona Extra, Corona Premier and Corona Familiar)
Origin	Mexico	Mexico

What Is the Difference Between Modelo vs Corona?

The main difference between Modelo and Corona beer is that Modelo has a richer, fruitier flavor while Corona has a crisper, cleaner taste profile. Although there are striking similarities between the Modelo Especial and the Corona Extra beer, they are both unique in even more ways such as their nutritional components and types.

Does Modelo Taste Better Than Corona Beer?

There’s no definite answer to which beer tastes better between Modelo and Corona. While many people prefer Modelo beer because of its richer and stronger taste, that isn’t enough to pick a side or make a consensus.

Why?

Because Corona Beer is also widely in demand and is one of the best-selling imported drinks in the U.S.

Individual Differences

It all boils down to individual differences. If you’ve had both, your preferred taste in beer will determine which one you think is better for you. For example, if you don’t like beers with a strong smell when you drink, you’d be better off drinking Corona beer, but if your preference is a strong, fuller taste, you should probably go with Modelo.

Modelo beer has a solid and richer flavor that leaves a lasting taste in your mouth after downing a pint or a bottle. It also has a fruity composition and a slight hint of herbs to give it that exceptional taste.

On the other hand, Corona beer has a unique, crisp taste and aroma that makes it stand out from other beers.

Alcohol Content

Modelo alcohol content varies between 3.5 – 5.4 percent. The most popular Modelo beer is the Modelo Especial with an alcohol content of 4.4 percent. However, if you want something stronger, you might want to go with Modelo Negra, which has a higher alcohol content of 5.4 percent. The Modelo Light or Michelada is an excellent choice for light drinkers since it contains about 3.5 percent of alcohol.

Corona beer alcohol content, on the other hand, is only slightly lower than that of Modelo. The most common type of Corona, Corona Extra, has an alcohol content of 4.5 percent.

The Corona Familiar contains a higher alcohol content of 4.8 percent, and the Corona Premier contains 4.0 percent alcohol. For light drinkers and people who are careful about gaining weight, the Corona Light beer has an alcohol content of 3.4 percent and contains low calories.

Health Information

The Modelo and Corona beers are considered low-alcohol drinks and hence good for your health when taken in moderate quantities. First of all, the main ingredients in both beers, barley malts, hops, water and non-malted cereals, are used to reduce the cholesterol and carbohydrates in these drinks.

With that being said, these beers are relatively safe for your heart and do not increase the risk of obesity or other issues associated with unhealthy beers. In addition, both Modelo and Corona contain vitamin B6, which reduces the risk of heart disease. Despite this, it is always a good idea to drink alcohol in moderation.

Nutritional Content

Modelo has a good nutritional composition as its carb composition is between 13.7g – 15.8g. It also contains protein of between 1.1g – 1.5g, 144 – 173 calories and a low-alcohol content of 3.4 – 5.4 percent.

Modelo, however, is not gluten-free but considered friendly for vegans since its ingredients are wholly plant-based. Corona beer is also a healthy beer in that regard, thanks to its plant-based ingredients.

Corona beer contains gluten and ingredients made up of barley malt, water, hops and non-malted cereals, making it a healthy and excellent choice for drinkers, including vegans. It also has nutritional content of 4.8 – 13.9g of carbs and about 0.8 – 1.2g of protein. This beer contains 99 – 148 calories and alcohol content between 3.4 – 4.8 percent.

Alternatives

Although Modelo and Corona beers are the most famous Mexican beers, both drinks have several alternatives. If you’ve had too much Modelo beer and want to try other options, here are some similar beers you can drink instead of it:

• Beerito Mexican Lager
• Don Equis Ambar
• A Plethora of Piñatas Mexican Lager
• Tecate
• Don Equis Lager
• Insurgente

There are other beers like Corona that you can also try.

Some alternatives to drinking Corona beer are:

• Presidente
• Sol
• Carta Blanca
• Pacifico
• Victoria
• Ex Novo (Most Interesting Lager in The World)

All of the beers mentioned above are Mexican beers which you can drink instead of Corona or Modelo. If you want something entirely different, you can also spice things up with some German beers such as Kölsch, Pilsner, Dunkel or Berliner Weisse.

What Is Modelo Beer Best For?

Modelo Especial is best for those who are looking for beers with hints of honey, maize and malt with a refreshing, delicate and crisp taste. This makes it one of the best-selling imported beers ever. All Modelo beers have a rich, robust aroma and flavor that leaves a lasting taste in your mouth after every sip.

Pros and Cons of Modelo Beer

Aside from being the second best-selling international drink in the U.S., Modelo beer is known for its rich taste. It’s a favorite among native and foreign drinkers because its fuller taste sets it apart from other Mexican beers.

Although there is a faceoff between Corona and Modelo, both beers have the same manufacturer. Modelo might be a trendy beer among American drinkers, but the beer has its origin in Mexico City, where the Cerveceria/Modelo Grupo company brews it. The same company also brews the popular Corona beer, but the two beers are very distinct.

There are three different types of Modelo beer, and they all fall under the pilsner-style beer category. The three types include Modelo Especial, Modelo Light and Modelo Negra. Modelo Especial is the most common type of Modelo beer on the market today.

Pros

• Modelo has a rich, intense taste and flavor
• It has a unique aroma
• Modelo beer pairs with most foods
• Modelo is quite cheap and effortless to purchase

Cons

• Flavor and taste is too strong for light drinkers or non-beer drinkers
• The alcohol content is somewhat high

What Is Corona Beer Best For?

Corona beer is best for those who are looking for a beer with a clean aroma. Its versatility is a bonus because the Corona beer is an excellent choice among expert bartenders when it comes to making the much-loved Margarita and Michelada drinks.

Pros and Cons of Corona Beer

Corona beer is the best-selling imported beer in the United States and other countries and is well known for its crisp, clean taste and refreshing flavor. It is a favorite summertime drink and an excellent choice for both heavy and light drinkers.

Corona beer is a pale lager beer, and it is one of the most popular imported beers in the US. Like we mentioned earlier, the Cerveceria Modelo Grupo company also produces it.

The most common Corona beer in circulation is the Corona Extra with active ingredients like yeast, hops, barley malts, corn and so on. There’s also the Corona Light, which contains fewer calories than Corona Extra.

Other variants include the Corona Familiar and the more recent Corona Premier. Most Corona beers are sold in bottles, although some are now available in cans. It has an unmistakable, clear taste that you can pair easily with any food without it tasting weird.

Here is a list of its pros and cons:

Pros

• It has a clean, crisp and refreshing taste
• It is affordable
• Easily accessible
• It goes with any food

Cons

• Its alcohol content is somewhat high for light drinkers
• Some consider the taste basic

Conclusion

Since individual preferences differ, there is no definite response to whether Modelo tastes better than Corona beer.

Let’s go through the factors we have discussed in the article above to summarize the key points about both beers:

• A more robust and fuller taste sets Modelo beer apart. It also has a fruity aroma and a slight hint of herbs in its composition.
• Corona beer has a much crisper and clear taste. It is light and doesn’t have an overpowering flavor.
• Although both are produced by the same company, Modelo and Corona beer are two different brands with unique tastes.
• There is no clear-cut answer to whether Modelo beer tastes better than Corona. It’s up to you to decide.
• Corona beer has a slightly lower alcohol content than Modelo beer, but they’re both considered low-alcohol drinks.
• You can try out other Mexican beers like Presidente, Tecate, Beerito Mexican Lager, Insurgente, etc.

From the points highlighted above, it’s clear that there is a lot of difference between Modelo and Corona beer. You can go for Modelo’s rich taste or Corona’s crisp taste; either way, you’re in for a treat.