Instant fiesta: Just add any of these local Mexican-style beers Isn t it loco to think that we have Austrians to thank for Mexican lagers? German immigrants greatly influenced non-indigenous brewing in Mexico, but the quintessential Mexican lager is a style more formally known as Vienna lager because in 1864 Napoleon imposed an Austrian-born emperor. Though he was executed by Mexican forces in 1867, Austrian brewers kept emigrating and creating beers like Negra Modelo. The hallmarks of Vienna lager are that it s brewed with Vienna malt imbuing a reddish hue and lightly toasted bread and toffee flavors and Continental noble hops such as Czech Saaz or German Hallertauer. Mexican lagers evolved to become more synonymous with blonde, adjunct lagers such as Corona (the best-selling imported beer in the U.S.).