Grupo Modelo (Corona) Sunbrew – Non-Alcoholic Beer at 0% ABV (330 ml, packaged on 20-Dec-2024, acquired 7-Apr-2025, reviewed 3-May-2025)
Appearance: clear pale gold with one finger of fine white head diminishing rapidly to nothing, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: honey/corn syrup, grass. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: light body, moderate-lively carbonation, sweetish short duration finish. (3/5)
Almost close enough to the real thing to pass for it, but just slightly darker and with no head retention. I don’t hate this. I’m not sure I actually like it, but I don’t hate it. And at 60 calories with a dose of vitamin D, I’m willing to have it in the fridge as a thirst quencher. (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
Grupo Modelo (Corona) Corona Extra – American Pale Lager at 4.6% ABV (710 ml, packaged on 13-Jan-2025, acquired 3-May-2025, reviewed 3-May-2025)
Appearance: clear straw with one finger of fine white head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: honey/corn syrup, grass. (5/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (6/10) Palate: light body, moderate-lively carbonation, sweetish short duration finish. (3/5)
The classic lawnmower beer that beer snobs love to hate. Maybe I’m mellowing in my old age, but: I don’t actually hate it. It is what it is. Look, if your yardstick is big hoppy aromas and interesting flavours, this is of course going to fail miserably. But many of the same people who denigrate this for needing the standard wedge of lime are perfectly fine with fruit adjuncts in the brew kettle of their favourite craft offerings. Personally, I’ve come out the other side of my craft beer snobbery and am willing to accept this on its own terms. (That being said, the reason I got the big bottle is because that’s the only single my local had. My willingness to accept it on its own terms doesn’t extend to buying a dozen of ‘em.) (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
I did these simultaneously because when I first tried the Sunbrew I figured it was so close to the “real” one that the only way I’d be able to differentiate them was side by side – not least of which because it’s been ages since I had an Extra. I wasn’t wrong. The Extra has a slightly punchier aroma and much better head retention than the Sunbrew, but it’s not enough of a difference to make a measurable difference to the rounded overall score. All things considered, I slightly prefer the Extra – but I’ll still keep the Sunbrew in the drinks cooler as a routine thirst quencher.
