One of the most drunk beers in the world is undoubtedly the Mexican Corona beer, of which more than 25 million bottles are sold a year in Spain, but do we know what the history of this beer is ? We explain it below, also focusing on why Mexican Corona beer is called that.
Why is the Mexican beer Corona called like that?
The history of Corona beer begins in 1922 in Mexico, albeit from Spanish “parents”. Apparently it was a group of Spanish immigrants in Mexico who decided to create the Cervecería Modelo SA
It was not until 1926 when the brewery launched its first beer called precisely the same as the company, that is, Modelo, but that same year Corona was launched, which would end up being the most successful for the beer industry in Mexico and the world.
The name of Corona was inspired by what is seen in the crown that is found as a central element of adornment of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the city of Puerto Vallarta and that was also a source of inspiration for the beer logo.
Since they launched Corona in 1926, the brand has evolved to the point of having different varieties. Currently they are:
- Corona Extra : The most classic Corona as well as the one that is best known in the world (and in the United States mainly) since it is the most sold. It has an alcoholic graduation of 4.5% and in its formula we find malted barley, yeast, hops and water
- Corona Light: The “light” version of Corona has 30% calories and an alcohol content of 3.9%.
- Corona Cero : The non-alcoholic version of Corona that was released in 2016.
What was Corona’s other name in Spain?
Despite the fact that the name Corona is related to the famous Mexican drink worldwide, the truth is that when it arrived in Spain in the 80s, it was not called Corona and not Corona Extra. In fact, it was called Coronita and it was not until 2016 when it changed the name,
The reason why in Spain Corona beer was sold as Coronita (which by the way also exists in the United States and Mexico but as a reduced version of Corona Extra), was that in our country the Catalan Torres wineries already had the name registered from Corona for an alcoholic drink sold under that name.
However, in 2014 the company reached an agreement with the Mexican brewery so that they could use the Corona Extra name also in Spain in the beer category, while Bodegas Torres would keep it for wine. Thus, for five years in Spain we can buy Corona Extra just as in the rest of the world.
