Tecate Beer Review
May 1, 2008
Well, I can’t say I’m on a roll here with The Brew Club Mexican beer reviews lately! The second installment of our Cinco de Mayo beer-review fest is the Mexican beer Tecate.
Maybe I’m just getting tired of drinking and writing about essentially the same type of beer over and over, but as it happens, that’s what I have to do!
Tecate beer comes in a brown bottle, which distinguishes it from Corona, and there are a few interesting theories as to why it comes in a brown bottle instead of a clear one. One theory is that sun is the enemy of beer. Clear glass offers no protection to the beer inside while brown glass does. Is this true? It sure is! One of the worst things for beer is sunlight. There’s an actual chemical reaction that creates that lovely ‘skunky’ smell so brown glass is actually good when it comes to beer. I’ve noticed many Mexican Beers come in clear bottles instead of green or brown.
Anyway, getting back to the Tecate, opening the beer of course produced no Genie, and it poured into the glass producing a very slight, rapidly
disappearing head with minimal lacing on the glass. There was nothing interesting in the smell department either. It has the typical golden-yellow color that Corona had, and for the most-part tasted to me just like Corona.
I would imagine that if you wanted to save a little money, you could get a lime, (or artificial lime flavor for even more savings) squeeze it into the Tecate, and have a less expensive alternative to Corona. The same could also be said without using the lime. I think the Tecate has a slightly more bitter taste that lingers and lingers in the mouth than Corona does.
Tecate seems to be your basic, basic beer. After drinking it, I would not buy it again unless my only goal was to get drunk – I would rather drink almost anything else I think – even something with amoebas in it. There was no enjoyment in consuming this beer, and as you may be able to detect, it is rather hard writing this review. Sorry, but beer should be enjoyable, and the Tecate just aint!
What’s your take on Tecate? Do you like it? Do you drink it straight up or do you add stuff like lime and salt to it? I’ve also heard from more than one person that Tecate in cans is better than the stuff in bottles. That wouldn’t surprise me, but I’m not going to bother making the comparison.
Rating: 
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Posted in 0 Star Reviews, All Brews Reviewed, Lager, Mexican Beers
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May 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I completely agree with your review. I’ve only had Tecante one time and I could barely finish that bottle.
August 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I’m agree with review . And I want to see , if The BrewClub can help me and get contact with the TECATE persons in charge in community or sport event in USA I have an invitation to them ( Im in california ). I now that one of them is Arturo Vargas Event Mgr. I hope you can help me
May 1st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I live in the Houston Texas area. I have been looking for Tecate in full Kegs and can not find in this market. Can you help.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:50 am
I’m not certain what you are used to drinking, but Tecate is actually one of the better Mexican beers and is generally rated quite favorably. It’s not the best, but it’s better than most. Corona on the other hand makes neat television commercials but fairly lousy, uninspired beer.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Tecate is rea really great beer. First you have to drink it out of the can but before you do you sqeeze a slice of lime into it put the grind into the can then sprinkle salt into and let a little fall outside the rim. This is my favorite cerveza, top notch. If you dont have lime or salt dont drink it it is not meant to be drank that way. I wish the can had instructions on it so reviewers would not post horrible reviews just like the one you gave it.
May 30th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
To make this beer palatable, one must first conceal the flavor of the beer with lime, salt and aluminum? Sorry Chief, while I respect your high esteem of Tecate, I don’t think its a great beer no matter what crap is added to it!
Scott-TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Beer Review – Lion Stout and Lion Lager
June 21st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I live in El Paso, Texas. It is very common and preferred to drink Tecate with a Michilada Glass (set-up). That is a salted rimmed glass with ice and plenty of freshly squeezed lime juice. Michilada pronounced Me-chee-law-daw is said to be slang or short for Mi cervesa helada (my beer cold). Try drinking Tecate this way on a hot summer day. And yes, in this area we are amazed at how Corona is overpriced, overated up North (I guess it’s a college thing). I hope this proves helpful for all you beer drinkers! =c)
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Teacte is my Favorite, it is slowly getting around, this beer is not made for the common beer drinker and I don’t expect for them to understand it, it’s like trying to get me to buy a non american car, I can drive one if neeede, but you will never see it on my drive way.. I hope this makes scence, I have tried most beers and alway come back to TECATE, I lived in Baja and California, maybe I just learned what this beer is about. another favorite is ESTRELLA, but can not buy it in the states only in some states in central Mexico, Most beer are good you just have to find your favorite. and forget about It….
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Thanks for the comments – not sure I get the car metaphor though. I just saw Estrella in the beer shop I frequent here in NJ. I guess the word is spreading about its amazingness if it got all the way up here!
Scott-TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Budweiser Dark Lager – A Beer Review
August 16th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I prefer Tecate over Corona any day of the week. It is also advised that you drink Corona with lime and salt; just look at their television commercials. I had a chance to try many, many Estrella in Barcelona this summer and it would compare it with Tecate. You do get a good buzz off of just a few of them though. Remember that Tecate sold in the USA has less alcohol content than Mexican sold Tecate. I can only imagine the flavor is much different in Mexico. I proudly recommend this beer to all of my buddies.
Also try mixing Tecate with lemon or lime flavored soda to produce a “Clara”.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Thanks for being the cockiest beer reviewer on the planet. I love listening to you bash other people for enjoying this beer. To each their own I am sure some of the donkey piss you have ranked high on your list of quality beers gives other people the queezy shakes. How bout you let people comment and leave your big mouth to your reviews since I guess you are the end all be all of beer reviewers. You must be a legend in the beer community, wait i mean a legend in your own mind and that isn’t saying much.
Peace I am out
August 21st, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Well EGO, I’m sorry but you obviously didn’t read the review very carefully. I didn’t actually bash anyone for drinking Tecate, I just said that I didn’t enjoy it. Also, in case you were unaware, it’s my blog so IT IS about my opinions. No one is forcing you to visit, read it, or agree with it. Also, as you can see, I do allow people to comment, including you. Unlike you comment however, most others are actually constructive.
Let me know when your beer review blog is up and running so I can see how it’s done right.
Peace. I’m out too.
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I’m surprised you rated Tecate so low and Negra Modelo much higher. They are my two favorite beers and I think they taste very similiar.
I do agree that Corona is pretty bad. Why people like that skunky lemony swill is atributable to lots of advertising I suppose.
I would encourage anyone who likes medium brown ales with low hop flavors like Bass ale or Newcastle to try several mexican beers, which are actually Bohemian Lagers, but are very close in flavor to me.
.-= Joe C´s last blog ..Sean Hannity Waterboard Video =-.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Joe, thanks. I don’t know, but at the time I tried Tecate for reviewing, I could barely finish it. Are you sure you mean Negra Modelo and not the Modelo Especial? I thought the Negra Modello was pretty good. Thanks for commenting!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sweaty Betty Blonde Wheat Beer =-.
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
tecate remember, is not coronas competitor;it is sol;the beer that’s under tecate which similarly looks almost identical to corona.tecate rivals modelo-both are clear lagers.i personally think tecate is a much better beer than corona!!!remember cuahtemoc-moctezuma brewery makes more beer than the modelo group,example:sol,tecate,tecatelight,dos equis lager,dos equis amber,carta blanca,and noche buena.tecate can’t be that bad of a beer,history has it that german brewmasters landed in monterrey to create this beer,that’s why the german eagle insignia is displayed on tecate can and bottle.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:04 am
I agree with the review, I’m not a fan of any of the Mexican beers I’ve had and this one is the worst of the bunch. I bought a 6 pack and drank one and that was enough, I hate to waste beer but it was drain-pour.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Thanks Rob. A lot of people seem to like it though, it just wasn’t for me.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Brewing Beer at Home With the Coopers Homebrew Kit =-.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Personaly I think tecate is one of the better mexican beers. I have a broad span of likes in beer and in mexican beer I like tecate (tall can). Then pacifico. Then XX. Can’t stand corona or sol. My other lines are pyramid hef. New castle and guiness
April 24th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I also live in El Paso,Tx and love Tecate beer. It must be enjoyed with salt and limes.
Alot of American beers are coming out with “lime beers” but whoa “puck city”.Tecate
doesn’t work without lime and salt but it is my favorite beer.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I’ve drank and tried many a Mexican beer. Tecate is one of my favorites. You have to like a good medium hearty beer to like Tecate. I don’t like Coors and to me it compares to Corona which I don’t like either.
I’m not knocking your review, everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Opinions are like armpits everyone has them, and sometimes they stink.
Many of my friends have tried Tecate now, and have stopped drinking Corona.
Those who like a full-flavored beer should at least give Tecate a try.
May 5th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Joe, you’re right about the opinions, and the review reflects mine. However, I don’t think we can objectively say that Tecate is a ‘..medium hearty beer.’ Its thin and watery aside from whatever flavors might be found.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Can Cannon – Gotta Love It! =-.
June 25th, 2010 at 12:19 am
i took a chance on this -i’m drinking my second can outta this case and if i woulda paid $11.00 instead of $18.00,i wouldn’t complain BUT-this can’t compare with a beer of similiar price say… yuengling lager-this shit is not any better than milwaukee’s best or coors light-ICK!
July 20th, 2010 at 12:36 am
I will put my 2-cents in. In the realm of lightly hopped beers the Mexican Tecate is as good as any. It’s a warm weather brew and it is best consumed very cold and with the, almost requisite, dash of lime and, if possible salted rim. I feel it isn’t about covering up a lackluster light weight brew, but more about the combination of flavors that quench a thirst born out of heat and humidity. Very refreshing when taken that way.
July 20th, 2010 at 9:08 am
@John, good points all. Its like a customized beer, or a refreshing summer drink that just has to be modified a bit per individual taste. Again, its not my thing, but I can see how its a popular option. Stay cool!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..What’s Your Favorite Summer Beer =-.
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:20 pm
I am a beer enthusiast and in general enjoy heavier beers, mainly IPAs. I bought an 18-pack of Tecate recently to give it a try. The first can was horrible, just as you intimate. After reading the posts I tried chilling it to near freezing and adding the requisite lime and salt.
I now have to agree with other posters. It is an entirely different drink this way. It’s not a classic beer drinking experience, it’s really a whole different drink. I’ve since learned to enjoy this, especially now that it’s July here in Texas. I suggest using the small, tart Mexican limes which seem to taste best.
I will respect your opinion that this is not a “pure” beer experience.
Cheers!
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Ya know, I’m more and more inclined to try this with the lime and salt just to see what the deal is!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Magic Hat Brewing Company – Wacko =-.
August 14th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@Mike – <q cite="I bought an 18-pack of Tecate recently to give it a try." This is what you buy to just "TRY" a beer??!!! What do you buy once you decide you like it?! LOL!
Anywho…I just bought a twelve pack in bottles for a BBQ im going to this afternoon. I've only tried it twice before at Mexican restaurants and it was with lime and salt out of a can. It was ok; refreshing…
I bought the bottles cause I'm not into the aluminum flavor. Hope I made the right choice.
wish me luck…
August 14th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
@Jose – If you’re bringing it to a BBQ, no doubt it’ll be fine! Food and friends can make any beer better – even Tecate!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Mi Chelada =-.
August 15th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
bottles are the best. any beer will taste different drinking out of a can. I (almost always) pour the Tecate into a glass, and sometimes add the lime n salt. And as most beers of this type the cold is best.
I guess price and quantity is a problem where most of you guys are at. I get tecate for $9.99 a 12pk cans…$11.99 a 12 pk of bottles. But I can’t get the Light version.
November 17th, 2010 at 2:31 am
I personally think Tecate is a really good beer and one of the better Mexican beers. And I’m definitely not clueless to beer. I’ve tried great beers including Fullers’ Porters, Samuel Smith’s, Baltika, Paulaner Salvatore, and many great IPA’s. Unlike alot of beer “experts” I refrain from dismissing all domestic and popular beers as garbage. I try to appreciate a beer for what it is.
Tecate is similar to other Mexican beers in its light-medium body and “corn” like taste and smell. I think of it as a stronger Corona that gives a harder buzz.
Of course I understand why the author may dislike Tecate, some people have preferences to certain brews, they may hate pilsners but love Porters. Tecate does have a more hoppy and bitter taste, I recommend a lime or lemon to balance out the bitterness.
November 17th, 2010 at 8:58 am
@Jav – Nicely put! Personal preference is certainly the biggest factor when it comes to what beers people like or don’t like. Sometimes, people dislike a beer, and then grow to appreciate it over time. That’s what happened to me with the IPA style. I really couldn’t stand it, but now, while it still isn’t my favorite beer style, I can appreciate a good IPA much, much more than before.
Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about Tecate! I’ve had it several times (with Mexican food) and that’s the only way its palatable to me! But, that’s just me. I only hope people find beers they love and for many, Tecate is it – which is cool by me!
April 30th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
I am a beer drinker and have had the opportunity to have lived and traveled many countries on three continents. England, South Africa, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, Canada and the USA to name a few. I am in no way a beer snob. I like to try all kinds of beers. No matter where I am, I always look at what’s on other peoples tables. That said. It’s 110 degrees outside, you’re Hot and thirsty, Crack and Ice cold can of Tecate, Smash a lime around the hole, sprinkle some salt? Man it hits the spot. I wouldn’t drink the stuff if I were in Belgium of course but Houston or Acapulco? Hell Yea.
May 2nd, 2011 at 9:17 am
@Mark – good point. When in Rome…
Except I still think a lot of times, metaphorically speaking, the Romans aren’t aware of the better choices available!
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:51 am
Mark, glad you enjoyed. Great with BBQ and friends. And the Lite version, which I found in Cabo was v good also. Still can’t find it in Detroit metro area.
May 2nd, 2011 at 10:59 am
Tecate lite? Haven’t seen that one in the Jersey area either.
May 2nd, 2011 at 11:09 am
You can get it in Chicago. Friends of ours (who we took a cruise with and found it in Cabo) tells me that it’s available there.
May 9th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Tecate is way better than any American Beer. It’s got that creamy flavor as any trditional imported beer and not the typical carbonated feel to cheap beer.
I recommend this beer.
May 10th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Junior, thanks for the comment! I’m happy that you love this beer, but I really hope that you try other beers too. You’re missing out on a lot of awesome beers if Tecate is your gold standard!
May 15th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Ok, I know beer in general is better from a bottle vs a can, and both are almost always trumped by a tap. But if you can’t find tecate on tap, it is by far, better in a can than any bottle I’ve ever gotten.lol Tecate is a great family reunion beverage.haha
May 15th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Hey, Pat. Thanks for the comment! While not a fan of Tecate, I will agree that it was better from a can than the bottle. I’ve probably had it on tap – just don’t remember!
May 20th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Not being a young buck anymore, I’ve really moved towards the Mexican beers due to the lower ABV of 4.5% . Living in Buffalo,NY there is only one store that sells Tecate Beer. It is $5.99 for a bottled 6 pack which is way better than Corona which I feel is worse tasting and overrated. My personal favorite is Dos Equis with Tecate being second as far as Mexican brewed beers sold in Western NY.
I agree that Tecate isn’t quite as “smooth” as Dos Equis. There is a bit of a metallic aftertaste. I do not do the salt and fruits either. I drink it straight from the bottle. The taste has grown on me and is way better than other American Light beers I used to drink like Coors Light. For basically $1 a bottle, I find it very economical and enjoyable. My only regret is that it’s sold at one location and is not more accessible up this way in Buffalo.
May 21st, 2011 at 12:49 am
@Chris – Thanks for the great comment! I hope it becomes more available for you in the future!
May 28th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
TECATE is great with lime salt….excellent beer you can hate on it, thats cool leaves more for me….supply and demand put that in your pipe and smoke it…..
July 8th, 2011 at 1:32 am
For all of you who think Tecate is just not a great beer you are wrong. Tecate is full of flavor and it doesnt taste like corona at all. If you want to taste the real tecate you have to drink it fresh from mexico the ones they sell in the usa ill agree they taste like shit i will never buy one in the u.s but anytime iam in mexico its the only beer.
July 8th, 2011 at 9:14 am
@elchingon – thanks for the comment! I gotta say that when it comes to Tecate tasting like Corina, I say close enough.
August 2nd, 2011 at 10:41 pm
tecate=headache beer big time!!!
August 20th, 2011 at 12:39 am
Tecate is one of my favorite beers when it comes to pistear (drink). Here in Cali, is been getting more popular over the last couple of years. There’s a lot of people going for these other crappy beers like: Bud Light, Coors Light, MGD, New Castle etc… Tecate definetely is Recommended if you want to pistear like we Mexicans do.
Also Reccomend: Bohemia, Victoria, Dos Equis, Modelo Especial/Negra, Heineken, Red Stripe & Stella Artois. Pretty Good Beers!!
August 20th, 2011 at 12:45 am
Hey Tony, thanks for stopping by!
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Hello All, Hello Scott -
I must agree with other posters. Tecate is best ice-cold with lime and salt.
Oh, and the Mexican Tecate is stronger. Cheers.
August 24th, 2011 at 12:13 am
@j. mann – thanks for the comment! In my opinion, if you have to hide the beer with lime and salt, well….
August 24th, 2011 at 9:10 am
@Scott
“you have to hide the beer with lime and salt”
Ah, I see.
For me however, that is my preference. I would drink Tecate before Corona with or without l & s any time
Actually, I think a person’s preference for Corona vs. Tecate depends
on what beer they drank first. Skoal.
August 24th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@j. mann – I agree its a preference thing and that’s cool! Honestly, I’m just about people being happy with their beer and I too have enjoyed the lime/salt on Dos XX now and then. I just feel that the beer itself really can’t be enjoyed as-is when masked.
September 19th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Well, IN Mexico I loved Victoria, which I have never seen in the US, and Carta Blanca which is, happily available to me, nearby, but was indifferent to Tecate and loathed Sol. So how come I’m thrilled to find a Beers of Mexico 24 pack at my local Sam’s Club that has six each of Sol, Tecate, Dos Equis Amber and Dos Equis pale? I don’t know..I guess it was because the last of the Bud Light with Lime had gone, thankfully, and in comparison this selection seems positively exotic. I don’t know, ice cold and nursed by a barbecue perhaps, in their own way, they will pass muster. Like your blog and yes, dammitt, it’s YOUR blog and so opinionize away mate!
September 20th, 2011 at 12:53 am
@Mike L – I say to each his own! I’ve enjoyed all of those beers as you do with friends @ a BBQ or Tex-Mex place. ANY beer is better with friends or good food I think. And so, I am happy my friend that you are enjoying your beers, whatever they are!
October 26th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
I’ve always liked Coronoa and Sol, and several of the other mexican beers, but never cared for Tecate. I found it harsh and bitter, with or without lime. Over the past year or so we’ve been buying a 24-variety pack of mexican beers. It always comes with 6 Tecates. My wife doesn’t like the Tecates, so I’ve been stuck drinking them. About a month ago I discovered I no longer disliked the Tecates, and last week I drank a Dos Equis and it tasted like a flat sprite to me, but my wife said it tasted fine. Now I find the Tecates DELICIOUS and many other beers weak and watery… So perhaps it is a bit of an acquired taste, like some of the ales, stouts, etc.
October 27th, 2011 at 1:10 am
@Bob – your tastes will change over time, I know mine do. Just be sure you don’t just drink Tecate – mix it up a bit to keep your edge! Thanks for commenting too!
October 29th, 2011 at 7:43 am
This beer always shows up @ family gatherings. So when I drink it, it’s free. If I drink enough, it makes me angry. Artificial cabonation is a bad thing. I prefer home brew.
October 30th, 2011 at 12:41 am
@russell – beer shouldn’t make you angry, and if it does, that’s probably a good clue to switch brands!!!
November 29th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
This negative review is nothin but boulderdash I tells ya! Check out this beer’s rating world wide and youll see that it outranks corona. As a person living in Tecate I can tell you that I DONT drink anything lighter than Tecate Reds (as opposed to whites which is the light version) because theyre flavorless. Heineken now owns half of Tecate Brewery for a lot of reasons, million dollar making reasons sucka. Keep up the crappy work steve or scott wgasa? If you can get your gritty lil paws on some INDIO BEER, try it and youll love it and feel like a jackass for talking smack about Mexican beers A! Lates Holmes
November 30th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Wow. It outranked Corona worldwide. Case closed! Best. Beer. Ever.
December 7th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Did I just read in the comment section that someone opened their Tecate and couldn’t even finish it? Did I seriously just read that? This is basic beer that you can get cheap. Given that, it’s very drinkable and doesn’t taste horrible like your generic American beers. That being said, there’s nothing exotic or unique about it, but it will get you drunk. Why complain about that?
December 8th, 2011 at 1:18 am
@williewanka – believe it or not, a lot of people don’t drink beer to get drunk. I drink beer because its enjoyable. If it isn’t enjoyable, I’d not waste time finishing it. Life’s too short for crappy beer. Of course, that’s just my opinion and you’re entitled to yours and I do thank you for sharing it!
January 31st, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Tecate in cans is very delicious – on a hot summer day or any day. Prechill your glass and beer. Pour beer into glass and put into freezer for 5 min. Add juice and pulp of half a lime to the beer. Shake on some salt. Best refreshment ever.
My favorite beer.
January 31st, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Margo – that doesn’t sound bad actually, but between the cold, the lime and the salt, there’s not much in the way of tasting the Tecate anymore!
January 31st, 2012 at 10:55 pm
@Scott
If you recall, our first “discussion” on this site (which thankfully you deleted) was over Tecate…..
FYI – I don’t care for it anymore.
February 1st, 2012 at 12:13 am
@Steve – I remember well!