Modelo Especial Mexican Lager Import Beer, 18 pack 12 fl. oz. Bottles, 4.4% ABV

The finish is dry and refreshing, with a pleasant aftertaste of yeast and wheat. Overall: La Sol de Verano is an artisanal Otrigo beer that more than meets expectations. It is refreshing, aromatic and tasty, with a perfect balance between the different components. It is ideal to enjoy on a hot summer day, alone or accompanied by light and fresh dishes.

Coming from a background in craft brewing, I had previously dismissed Modelo Especial as one of "the usual suspects"...but it was through my sommelier training that I learned to open doors previously closed to food and people pairings. At a recent carne asada, or bbq event, in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas, someone gave me a 7oz Modelito served in a tall wine glass. It was delicious and refreshing with a slight bready flavor, as if I were tapping a barrel at the cervecería (brewery) myself. It also positively changed my perspective on the brand after I tasted a few more that day, including a sampling of the mysteriously dark Modelo Negra.