Corona Extra Bottles

Corona Extra is a pale lager brewed in Baja California, and its numbers explain its profile: 4.6% ABV and just 18 IBU. That bitterness figure is low even by lager standards, so hop presence is minimal. Expect a faint grassy or floral hop note at most, with the balance resting on a light, grainy malt sweetness and a dry, quick finish. Styles like this typically show a touch of honeyed cereal and a trace of corn-like sweetness, with carbonation doing most of the work to keep the palate clean. Because the bitterness is so restrained, the beer takes well to additions. The familiar lime wedge works for a practical reason: citrus acidity and a pinch of salt sharpen the otherwise soft malt and cut through the sweetness. Squeeze the lime into the neck or over the top, and skip it if you want to taste the lager as brewed. Its light body and modest alcohol also make it a workable base for a michelada, where tomato juice, hot sauce and lime combine with the lager without being overwhelmed by hop bitterness. At the table, it suits food that is salty, spicy or fried rather than rich. Fish tacos, ceviche, grilled shrimp, chicken fajitas, tortilla chips with salsa and street-corn-style dishes are natural matches, since the low bitterness will not clash with chili heat or acidity. Heavier braised meats and strongly flavored cheeses would overpower it. Serve it well chilled, around 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F), which keeps the crisp character in focus; as it warms, the grain sweetness becomes more noticeable and the beer loses its snap. Straight from the bottle is the traditional route, particularly with a lime. For a cleaner presentation, pour into a pilsner glass or a tall, narrow pint glass, which holds the carbonation and shows the pale straw colour typical of the style.