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

akorsak

Pennsylvania

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

A 500 mL glass at a pizzeria in Puerto Vallarta.

A: The lagerbier is an amber color that floats ephemerally between a copper penny and chocolate brown. The lager is rendered opaque as a result of the hues. A small head, surprisingly nonexistent, didn't do much through the glass.

S: The nose lacks some of the chocolate strength that the bottled version has. What remains is a mild grainy aroma that has a noticeable, but not overpowering, roasted aroma.

T: Roasted grains, chocolate and burnt toast define the flavor. The malty base is firm, mildly carbonated, with a strong bready finish. Par for the course, hops really don't add much of a zing, allowing the dark malts to carry the day. By far the most diverse Mexican lager around.

M: The lower carbonation in the draught version allows the roasted flavors to come through with a little more oomph.

D: Very drinkable, possibly my favorite of the trip.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2010 14:37:22 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

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

Pours an amber brown hue with a moccha tan toned head, and this beer has a nice full two fingered head forming. As the lace forms it is evenly trickled around the rim, very nice appearance. The aroma is slightly floral maybe some hop aroma there, with very sweet malty sharp tones and some grainy cereal notes are also present. The taste is slightly caramel with a tingling malty sweetness that's balanced by some mild bittering hops. Some fruit tones were also present, but nothing that completely stood out to me. Medium body with a nice smooth creamy texture and a good amount of carbonation that tickles the back of the throat. Very well conrstucted Mexican delight, that I am sure pairs very well with some spicy Mexican food.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2003 08:53:05 | More by WVbeergeek

Wasatch

Utah

2.5/5  rDev -26%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a brownish color, nice carbonation, small white head, with some sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some hops, slight caramel. The taste is slightly sweet, malty, slight hop note. Medium body. Slightly drinkable, would not buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2010 01:34:52 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours with a two-finger off-white head that leaves very little lace. Clear amber color. Light - medium bodied but slightly watery finish and light carbonation. Multi-sweet nose. Starts sweet finishes mellow. The ABV is 5.3%. $7.99 for a 6-pack of 12oz. bottles, available everywhere in NH.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2004 22:55:17 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

2.58/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a brown body that is transparent with a big carbonation of large bubbles and a thin wisp of foam in the middle.

S- There is an aroma of pale malt with a hint of pot caramel and a faint noble hop finish. The smell is very light overall.

T- The taste of light crisp pale malt has a note of pot caramel or slightly toasted malt with a neutral taste. The finish has a light bitterness and a soft carbonic bite.

M- This beer has a light mouthfeel that was a touch watery in the finish.

D- This beer was very light and flavorless with a dark body. Not to interesting.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2006 19:09:02 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

First off get that god damn lime shit away from my beer. Just leave the beer alone, it is just fine the way it is. Put me in any East Boston Mexican-Latin infused eatery or even a decent chain like Chevy's Fresh Tex Mex and I will in rare form with this beer at my side.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2002 00:18:22 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

2.78/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This pours a nice almond color, little head, no lacing.
No nose to speak of. Minimal malt, very minimal hops. Very subtle in the flavor dept. A bit chalky in the finish. Not very pleasing. I would not waste too much time on this stuff, unless there was only macros around. Might do decently with food, but thats probably a stretch.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2004 01:20:11 | More by Billolick

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

jlindros

Massachusetts

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

Notes from my trip to Cancun a few months back.

Light fizzy head fades med pace, clear auburn molasses brown color.

Nose pretty much macro lager, cheap macro lager malts, a little bit of darker malts and crystal malts but not much, light skunk.

Taste light caramel, hit of mocha and cocoa, crystal malts, light lager, just a hint skunk and cheap lager, hint of earthy hops, light fruity lager, juicy creamy malt. Finish is dry and a bit crisp, bit more darker malts and lager fruits.

Mouth is med to a but lighter bodied, decent carb.

Overall not bad, better than most beers you can get in Mexico, although still cheap tasting and slightly skunked, with unhappy yeast lager flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 16:41:13 | More by jlindros

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appears a transparent dark russet color with a light tan head that quickly fades out into a thin collar. Tiny spots of lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of mild caramel, dusty confectioners sugar, and a slight cocoa aroma.
Taste is of the same aromas with a faint caramel, and cocoa taste mixed in with a touch of toffee.
Mouthfeel is slightly bubbly with a medium body that slips along the plate.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2006 04:12:32 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

3.85/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown brew with lots of carbonation.

Smell is lots of malt and a nice fruit smell.

Tastes like a respectable Dunkel. Mildly sweet and fruity with just the right hops. Mild apple and banana flavors present. Bitterness becomes more noticeable the more you drink it.

Mouthfeel is good.

Very drinkable, try it next time you eat enchiladas.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2004 03:24:33 | More by Zorro

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.3/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, poured into my fancy Negra Modelo glass, came in a gift pack.

Pours a clear orange/amber, thin off white head forms, settles to a thin layer and ring, few lace spots, kind of decent looking. Smell is sweet and malty, honey, bread, bit of floral, light grains and brown sugar. Taste is very light, some corn and caramel, light grains, sugar, very bready almost biscuity finish. Mouthfeel is light bodied with medium carbonation. Pretty easy to drink, definitely better than other macro lagers.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2007 00:23:16 | More by Viggo

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

one of my favorite Mexican beers, if not the favorite. Actual color other than yellow! It exists! Thin brown color. No head. Corpulent described it as an "aroma of some sweet Mexican nuts," and I have no reason to doubt his expertise.

Taste, shocker, goes excellent with good Mexican food. Skip the lime. Spice is good, as the small amount of hops will come out. Very carbonated throughout.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2010 22:32:22 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Was drinking margaritas at Tampicos in Santa Cruz, when I noticed they had NM on tap. I'd never seen this beer on draft before, and so of course I had to grab a glass.

The beer pours a reddish mahogany color, with fair head retention and minimal lacing. The nose is not bad at all in this beer (at least for a Mexican lager), as I picked up some cherry, sweet malt, light vanilla and even a hint of smoke. The flavor profile replicated the nose, with some light spritzy, bitterness in the finish. The beer is a bit watery (naturally), and so the dominating, sweet malt flavor wasn't too overpowering. Mouthfeel was light to medium bodied, with a clean, lightly sweet, spritzy finish. The beer was very drinkable and easy to appreciate, and would make a great accompaniment for most of the food items on the menu at Tampicos.

Not too bad at all... this beer reminded me very much of AB's American Ale, though it was bit less sweet and a bit more interesting to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 15:46:38 | More by johnmichaelsen

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.75/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

How beers like this turn up at cut-price supermarkets in deepest rural Shropshire never ceases to amaze me, but every so often I get a real suprise. Anyway 59 Pence got me this 33cl bottle (claims 5.3% not 5.4%). I poured it into a Westmalle chalice, not realising it was supposed to be a dark lager, should have guessed really. The glass showed the beer to be a clear, light ruby red colour, it looked clean and bright, no head even straight after the pour.

Sweet malts and toffee apple treacle smell, without the sickliness that might invoke in your mind.

Lager taste and feel, with a hint of a sweet maltiness in the aftertaste, not complexed, but different enough for me to have enjoyed. One of the best Mexican beers I've had so far.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2009 17:17:29 | More by BlackHaddock

lacqueredmouse

Australia

2.65/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear burnished to dark copper colour, with a filmy head of white bubbles. The bubbles look surprisingly light, and they don't cling. The body, overall looks pretty weak, but the colour is nice, at least.

Very odd nose, a light coppery sourness, metallic twang and a whack of bubblegum, a bit dusty and grainy. Not all that appealing to be honest. It's not terribly offensive, but there are just enough jarring notes to put me off.

Very thin in the mouth, with only a light bubblegum/banana phenolic note through the centre of the palate. Some carbonic bitterness on the finish, but it's not much. The lack of body is the biggest downer to this one, it feels very thin, and with the mildly sweet palate it starts to haunt you with images of sugar water. Not a fan.

Overall, it's not offensive, but it's very very bland indeed, and I really dislike the feel. It's undoubtably drinkable, but it's certainly not something of which I'd choose to partake regularly.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2009 07:45:39 | More by lacqueredmouse

DoubleJ

California

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

I had Mexican food brought to me last night for dinner, and I had two beers of Mexican origin in my fridge. Which one do I consume with the food: the canned Corona, or a bottle of Negra Modelo? For most of us, that's an easy choice when trying to compliment a meal. Guess which one I took? On to the beer:

It's a copper-reddish brown beer with a fairly sweet aroma, balanced by a light hop flavor. The feel of the beer is average, not heavy, but not light. Perfectly suitable for the warm Mexican climate, as it holds some taste and goes down without trouble. Kind of a Mexican Sam Adams if you want a fair approximation, and that's not bad. Went well with my steak taquitos.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2007 23:26:58 | More by DoubleJ

glid02

Georgia

3.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this while at a Mexican restuarant in downtown Atlanta.

Pours a decent brown color, completely clear, with a white head that almost immediately dissipates into a very thin ring of bubbles around the glass. No lacing.

Smells like almost every other Mexican beer. It's got just the tiniest bit more of malt aroma.

Tastes the same as it smells. A little bit of hop bitterness at the end. Dry ending.

Mouthfeel is a little bit thicker than others of the same style. Carbonation is decent, and it goes down smoothly enough.

Drinkability is alright. Better than average for what it is.

I've had this a lot before, but usually when I get Mexican beer I'll go for the lighter ones. After revisiting it however, I might start getting this instead.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2008 03:32:18 | More by glid02

Gusler

Arizona

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

The first time I had "Negra Modelo", was my first trip to Warez, which was my first weekend at "Fort Bliss", in El Paso Texas. I liked it then, and I still like it, while my taste has changed more often than "Venom will change diapers the next few years", it still is a semi-regular in my "DBF". Deep garnet in color, the head is light chocolate, but dissipates a bit quickly, the lace is adequate. Nose is malt, light hints of caramel. The front is sweet, the top is light, the finish is moderately carbonated, dry, lightly hopped, but a very drinkable beer, and it does go good with the spicy food in the country of origin, and I don't mean that "Olde Gringo" stuff. Ranks #907 on my current 1000 beer master list.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2002 16:16:18 | More by Gusler

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

2.4/5  rDev -29%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

BB 14/10/2006, served lightly chilled in a 330ml broad-rimmed weizen glass.

A: lightly-infused black-tea to tawny colour with russet hints; the moderately frothy off-white beer head slowly settles down, forming a rimmed foam on top of a gently-carbonated body.
S: caramely sweetness plays a considerable part at the front, but not as OTT as I anticipated--not bad; a flow of lemony hops and apple-ish fruity hints quietly join the main theme at the back, leaving a malt-grist like chewy and rough malty note going deep in the background. Not quite aromatic overall.
T: a slightly metallic taste accompanies a rather neutral flavour of caramel maltiness that has but a malty gloss without a necessary body to be a firm platform; the palate picks up at the back a mild tinge of bitter roast tea-leaves and burned sugar, with a slightly dryish grassy touch. But by no means can there be said of a considerable aftertaste, which is weird for this style I reckon?
M&D: light and loose in body and overly mild (next to bland) in flavour, only the clean and softly-fizzy mouthfeel (normal for a lager) prevents it from being a total failure. Easty-drinking for a 5.3%abv. beer? Yes. An impressive example of Vienna Lager? Negative! For this beer style, this is easily the least impressive to me so far, for its lack of body AND flavour... It really needs more, and/or better, ingredients to juice it up. "Semi-disappointing", given my high expectation~~

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2006 03:00:05 | More by wl0307

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark cranberry red with a huge frothy off white, light tan head.

S: Some sweet Vienna malt makes a presence on the nose, along with some brown sugar notes as well.

T: The malting is very warm and dark roasted with some dried apples, pears and cider juice flavors coming through. There is some burnt woodiness, warm bread and smoky notes for flavor along with some dried fruit (raisin grist) and some dark licorice. There is also some nice dark roasted coffee notes, caramel and a very rich dark roasted nuttiness along with a nice earthy hop bitterness and a grainy dry malt bitterness for a finish and fade with a touch of smokiness to round it out.

M: A very nice grainy feel on the tongue.

D: Overall a very drinkable beer, very rich and big per style drinking like a octoberfest bock.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2008 00:09:44 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Crystal clear brownish copper with an off white cap that fell fast and left a thin collar and skim of bubbles on the surface of the beer. A bit of spotty lacing clung to the glass for a few minutes too. Malty aroma, brown sugar and caramel, a bit bready, slightly fruity. Mild bitterness, a bit spicy and herbal, with caramel and toasted malt flavours. Faint fruitiness that was more of an indistinct dried fruit rather than fresh and juicy. Quick finish, leaving only a mineral aftertaste. Light to medium bodied with ample carbonation, some malty dryness and fairly crisp. Not bad at all and much more enjoyable than most other Mexican lagers I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2010 23:12:31 | More by DrJay

plaid75

New York

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

On draft at the Buoy Bar, Point Lookout, New York.

Poured a deep brown hue with a half finger whispy white head. There was decent retention and lacing.

The smell featured some roasted malts, caramel and a bit of adjunct sweetness.

The taste was upfront grainy and moderately sweet. No doubt there is some amount of corn in the grist. Bready toward the finish.

The mouthfeel was relatively full.

Overall a good and decent brew. Likely the best effort from this brewer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2010 16:21:29 | More by plaid75

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

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.23/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Negra Modelo has more colour than all the other Mexican beers combined. Its deep brown shade is accented by, not only a glint of auburn, but a very sharp, glassy complexion. Its clarity, despite the dark tone, is completely unhindered. But it must have at least some head - this has none at all - before we can describe it as looking any better than just 'good'.

For all its extra colour, however, there is no equally jazzy aroma to match. In fact, there's virtually no aroma. While it seems to have shed most of the corn-y smelling adjuncts, there is very little malt - toasted or otherwise - to supplement them. Where all this colour came from then seems to be a bit of a mystery. Maybe tasting it will reveal more...

No, the flavour also vouches that, for the most part, there was only enough toasted malt used to impart colour and that stopping short of a rich, full-bodied character was intentional on the brewer's behalf. The colour, understandably, led me to hope for flavours of caramel and toasty bread crumbs, but alas, I am disappointed. Is this brewed from extracts?

Since the beer doesn't claim anything more specific about its style other than that it's 'dark', we won't nitpick too much about guideline expectations. It is fair, however, to have anticipated some flavour (which even with warmth never comes) and some mouthfeel (be it bitterness or toastiness or savor). Unfortunately, the beer is entirely void of essence.

Despite what its striking appearance suggests, Negra Modelo offers no more character than the other mass-produced beers of Grupo Modelo (Corona) or Mexican brewers at large. I understand it gets hot down there but is the concept of brewing a thirst-quenching beer that *also* has flavour and personality still that foreign to them? 111 million people in that country and you're telling me this idea has yet to occur to anyone? Really?

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2010 19:25:03 | More by biegaman