Negra Modelo - Grupo Modelo S.A. de C.V.

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

It is really interesting getting a lager from Mexico and tasting German malts in the preparation. This is the first time I have had a Negra Modelo, and I thought, "Why not?"

Overall this beer is very thin. There isn't any body, and even less foam. The color is a very light brown.

The flavor is subtle... and that is the nice way of saying that you have to work hard to pick up the flavoring in this beer. It tastes good, but it is very watered down in the flavoring.

The smell is decent, but it gets bad after warming. I would suggest that you only smell it off the initial pour.

It is a decent beer, but I only recommend it for entry level lager drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 02:45:52 | More by ummswimmin

Wamesit

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a dark copper with a thick slightly off-white head that gives way quickly to moderate lacing.

S - Caramel malts, a hint of bread and fruit.

T - Sweets malts set the stage. Caramel, the faintest hint of chocolate malts. There is a bread/toasted grain flavor that has allusions to a bit of spice and fruit (banana?) that gives way to a slight hops bitterness, although no real hops flavor of any kind.

M - Medium. Smooth.

O - A good (but not great) and affordable Munich Dark. Should compliment a Mexican meal quite nicely, as I hope to soon find out.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 00:10:39 | More by Wamesit

jkrich

Indiana

3/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle ordered at a Mexican restaurant. Poured a clear, dark brown with an inch white head that slowly dissipated.
Very minimal aroma: faint malt aromas at best.
The lager is rather one dimensionally sweet with little of the nuances of other dunkels I have tried. There was no hop bitters for balance, but it was tasty and did complement the Mexican food I had.
Surprisingly fuller bodied than I expected with too much carbonation.
The choices at this restaurant were minimal, and I think this was the best choice. It was not bad for a dark lager but far from my first choice for the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 19:23:21 | More by jkrich

UCLABrewN84

California

3.75/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear iced tea color with a 1 inch light beige head that fades to a thin film. Thick foamy rings of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt and grains. Taste is of toasted malt, grains, and slight caramel. There is a very slight roasty bitterness on the palate after each sip. Mouthfeel is crisp and smooth with a pretty good level of carbonation. Overall, this is a pretty good beer for what it is and one of the best beers coming out of Mexico in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 05:25:21 | More by UCLABrewN84

farrago

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thin, less than half finger, head of loose larger bubbles, wastes little time all but totally evaporating, insufficient foam to leave much lacing behind, no stickiness. Deep brown hued liquid, however, crystal clear and transparent, mixes in light orange rust to yellow nearer the glass bottom. The nose is gentle and engaging, featuring caramel, toffee and corn syrup notes, honey and challah bread, brush of orange citrus and white pit fruit, low but noticeable toastiness, the hops kick it in a little late but stiffen the texture before it all dissolves. Medium-bodied, the carbonation a bit excessive for the level of body and flavor but does help on the refreshing scale. More of an orange to lime citrus presence as well as flowers and scrub grass, still there’s little debating that the caramel, malt, butterscotch and danish flakes remain in the driver’s seat. Any nuttiness weaves in and out, inconsistent. Apple, grape and apricot fruit flavors stay in the background. By the finish the carbonation weakens enough to create a smoother mouth feel. Earns its place as one of the more credible Mexican beers generally available.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 02:10:24 | More by farrago

mdfb79

New York

3.15/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 07/18/11 notes. On tap at Los Tios in Alexandria, VA last night with dinner. Served in a pint glass.

a - Pours a dark brown color with some amber notes, one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident. No head rentention or lacing on the glass.

s - Smells of toasted malts, bready malts, light toffee and caramel, roasted malts, and light fruit.

t - Tastes of toasted malts, bread, roasted malts, light caramel malts, light fruit, and some hops.

m - Light to medium body and moderate carbonation. Pretty easy to drink.

o - Overall a pretty average beer, but this was my go to in Mexico and still is at Mexican restaurants. Lots of malts but easy to drink, and a good alternative to the Corona's and Sol's usually offered. Woudl certainly order it again at a restaurant, though don't like it enough to pick up a 6 pack at the store with better options available.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2011 13:47:24 | More by mdfb79

DirtyPenny

Massachusetts

2.98/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a frosted pint glass with a lime wedge on top. Wedge came with the glass. Well, when in Mexico, Ole!

A: Dark amber with a bit of burnt umber where the light catches it. Head reaches critical mass and fizzes out within seconds.

S: Lime... no, wait, that's the lime. Removing the wedge and taking a deeper draw does nothing but send cold air up my nose.

T: Caramel malt through and through. This is a one note beer. It's not a bad note, and pretty refreshing for a dark lager.

M: Though part of why it's so refreshing is that it's rather watery.

O: A pretty basic option that you'll find at most Mexican restaurants, and a better option than Corona.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 13:18:09 | More by DirtyPenny

PhiloPsych

California

3.25/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This is my go-to beer at Mexican restaurants that have things like Corona, Pacifico, Tecate, Dos Equis, etc. I prefer Negra Modelo to all of those. It's not craft beer, but isn't bad beer, either. It's a smooth, crisp, slightly caramel-flavored lager. The color in the glass is nice amber brown with virtually no head and moderate carbonation. The smell is slight (and slightly bad).

I've been drinking Negra Modelo (occasionally) for years, but had never bothered to write a review. I took a trip to Costa Rica recently and had Bavaria Dark which is the same style lager as Negra Modelo; I wanted to compare the two. Maybe the pleasantness of the vacation and lack of alternatives biased me in favor of Bavaria Dark, but I think it was better than Negra Modelo.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 22:20:45 | More by PhiloPsych

BeerAmbassador

Arizona

2.98/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a sort of reddish brown color, almost like maple syrup. Very thin head that dissipated quite quickly. Bit of fruitiness on the nose along with dark grain and caramel, not overly expressive. Bit of nuts and caramel flavor that borders on brown sugar. Medium carbonation, but still a bit creamier than most mexican lagers. Overall an ok beer for its style, but definitely one of my preferred mexican beers.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 02:37:55 | More by BeerAmbassador

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Clear, light brown color. Poured a 1 finger cloud-white head with poor retention. Decanted continually. Random spots of lace.

S: Toasted bread. A little nutty and some caramel. Green apple and some floral character.

T: Very malty on the palate. Caramel, nuts and some floral hop character transition quickly to a mild finish that lingers.

M: Light-to-medium body. Moderate carbonation. Smooth middle transitions to crisp finish.

O: Flavorful and malty. Moderately balanced.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2011 23:22:58 | More by Haybeerman

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

People are starting to wonder about my wandering so far afield from The CANQuest (TM), bottle be off of this kick before long, I promise you. In fact, I am to take a delivery of CANs later today!

I got a disappointingly-less than a finger of light-tan head with such poor retention that I began to wonder if I had done something to make it go away so quickly. Bye! Color was an orangish-amber, but definitely NOT ruby, and with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a pleasant malty bitterness, but nothing earth-shattering. I am having a difficult time buying into this being one of the top rated beers of the style. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full, approaching creaminess with a pleasant sweetness on the tongue. Finish was likewise pleasantly sweet, but not enough to really wow me.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 20:45:36 | More by woodychandler

spitInTheOcean

Michigan

3.2/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

nice reddish brown color, and crystal clarity. quickly dissipating head though.

smells like like a lager but not much malts in the aroma

soft, subtle malt flavor in the forefront, nice little hop bitterness in the finish and crisp lager character. there is a very subtle toasted malt flavor there for the discerning but no hop flavor.

a pretty, watery thin representation of the vienna lager. finishes sweet but dries out nicely.

overall, lacks complexity.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 02:58:54 | More by spitInTheOcean

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.35/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had a couple of these with dinner tonight at a local Mexican restaurant. Poured into a chilled mug. Dark tea-like colored body that lets a little light through. About a two-finger off white head when first poured, but it quickly dissipates and leaves very little lacing.

Light aroma that is very malt forward and sweet smelling. Just and minor hint of hops, a little nutty aroma. Not much else.

Decent lager flavor that follows the aroma. Some caramel malt and a slightly nutty taste. Overall, fairly sweet finish.

This is the only Mexican beer I like much at all and is my go-to in Mexican restaurants.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 00:34:57 | More by FanofHefe

sixerofelixir

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle. An undecipherable (to me) code on the side.

Pours a smooth, dark tea color. A small, tan head sticks the glass. Smell is a pleasant, crisp hop and some roasted, brown sugary maltness. Taste starts out low with that sweet malt, then drifts into a woody, bitter hop. Good body. Feel is cool and lasting. I'd drink a few of these with some good barbocoa..

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 04:52:02 | More by sixerofelixir

Redfoot19

Mexico

4.33/5  rDev +28.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was very impressed the first time I tried Negra Modelo. It is hard to find a beer in the Supermarket that I can always rely on. Goes awesome with a nice meal, watching sports (for me Futbol), or any leisure activity. Smells good, mouthfeel is on point. The taste is great...not real strong, but has a nice potency to it. Overall a beer I can turn to if I need to find a quick dark beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 02:56:14 | More by Redfoot19

mdaschaf

Washington

3.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Have had this one a bunch of times before, one of my go to beers when in Mexico for work.

A: Negra modelo is light brown in color, with a small egg-white colored head on top. Retention was not very good, minimal lacing left behind.

S: Toasted bread, some nuts, light floral notes, a bit of caramel, and some lager yeast.

T: On the malty side, similar to the aroma with some caramelized malt, a little bit of nuts/toffee, and some light floral hops.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Drinks smooth with a nice crisp mouthfeel.

O: One of the better beers I have had in Mexico. It actually has flavor and doesn't drink very heavy, but is far better than most macro-lagers down here. Pretty easy to find in Mexico as well.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 00:50:14 | More by mdaschaf

RickS95

Indiana

3.28/5  rDev -3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Light brown in color, like watered down cola or icea tea, almost opaque. Little head and what's there isn't there very long.

Smells of roasted malts is all that's present.

There's almost a mild caramel sweetness before some hoppy pilsner-like flavors emerge.

Doesn't feel like a dark beer. Feels like a pilsner only sweeter.

I generally don't car for Mexican beers, but this isn't awful. Not great, or even good, but not awful.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 15:44:11 | More by RickS95

womencantsail

California

3.58/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours light to dark brown in color with a finger of off-white head.

S: A rather strong aroma of nut shells comes through initially. There is some toffee and toasted bread, and definitely some lager yeast, too. Light earthy and floral hop notes.

T: The flavor is quite similar, but the bulk of the flavor comes in the form of toasted bread and toffee. A light nuttiness in the background with minimal hop bitterness and flavor.

M: Light to medium in body with a medium to high level of carbonation.

O: As bad as many Mexican lagers can be, this has always been one I enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 18:35:02 | More by womencantsail

milner

California

2.17/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

This beer has a real nice looking bottle and gold label that looks like a quality beer. Unfortunately it does not taste like one.

The head is weak and goes away after the first few sips. The color is nice ,just a standard dark amber.

What I really notice here is the lack of body, just seems to wisp away just like the head does. Slightly bitter aftertaste, but drinkable.

This is a beer that's trying to be both a lighter Mexican beer like Corona as well as a dark crafted beer at the same time, but instead comes out as a wispy lack of confidence. Disappointed in this beer, and the price paid.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 03:15:43 | More by milner

mdvatab

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz. bottle into imperial pint glass.
No bottled-on date to be found

Aroma: Toasted, nutty, and light brown sugar from malt. A bit of diacetyl. Very light herbal noble hop.

Appearance: Very light tan one-finger head disappears quickly to small patches of thin foam on the surface. Beautiful crystal-clear copper body.

Flavor: Toasted bread, light carmelized sugar, and tofee. Hops lend light bitterness, but almost no hop flavor. Crisp, dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium to med-high bite from carbonation. Light sweetness & bitterness on the tongue.

Overall: Very drinkable and easy on the palate. Diacetyl is probably slightly outside style guideline, but not by far. This is my favorite Mexican beer by far, and is definitely recommended if you have the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 02:40:27 | More by mdvatab

SisuPride

Tennessee

3.9/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

When I am south of the border the "Black Model" is my beer of choice. It is the only dark beer I have ever had lime in and somehow it works - and that always makes me feel like I am on vacation. Solid taste, best dark Mexican beer I've ever had but the closest thing I can recall is Dos Equis Amber. Mouth feel is light and head of beer is pretty weak.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 01:17:05 | More by SisuPride

ferrari29

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Beer poured from bottle into hour-figure Pint glass

A - Beer poured with a one finger white colored foam; held well; no lacing; appearance of thin body and very subtle appearance of carbonation was visible in the dark brown, almost black, colored body

S - Grains and corn; subtle notes of roasted malts; some yeasty or fruit sweetness

T - Some mild sweetness; more flavor packed than the rest of the Mexican beer; grain and corn; lager "airiness" to it

M - Thin and watery; needs more body, doesn't make the palate feel "alive" with activity; typical adjunct type lager

D - Good drink if you have limited options, especially if you're at a Mexican style restaurant, its either this or Dos Equis; good for the summer time

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 05:14:27 | More by ferrari29

beerdown77

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Negra Modelo pours brown with minimal head. Like all Mexican beer, it’s refreshing and delicious when it’s super cold. There is a decent malt complexity and a little bit of bitterness to this. I like that it isn’t super sweet. This is a great beer for the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 18:40:45 | More by beerdown77

ktrillionaire

Florida

2.9/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - This beer is a drab brown tint, like tannic streamwater. Visibly thin, with a soda wisp of bubbles.

S - Vaguely sweet malt is about all I get here, perhaps a suggestion of honey. Inoffensive.

T - The taste is watery and mineral-y and has a slight honey sweetness.

M - Feel is thin and watery, but works well for a Mexican Lager.

O - I would not be terribly interested in drinking more than one of these, but it is ok with Mexican food.

It is best used as a base for a Michelada, which I do quite often. To keep this review as useful as possible, here is a recipe for the Sangrita which comprises the non-beer half of Michelada:

1/4 cup lime juice
1 cup orange juice
2 cups tomato juice, Clamato or V8
1 tablespoon of minced onion
1 tablespoon of very finely chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon of minced jalapeno
Stir all ingredients, chill for at least 20-30 minutes to let the flavors marry, then serve. Keeps overnight, may be better that way.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 11:07:22 | More by ktrillionaire

1Adam12

Indiana

1.63/5  rDev -51.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Poured a very light see through brown color. Didn't have much of a nose on it, maybe a bit of coffee. The taste reminded me of cold watered down coffee. Mouthfeel was light with not much body at all. I actually refused to finish this in the restaurant. This is the first beer I've ever sent back and I won't be trying this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 22:25:07 | More by 1Adam12