How to Brew a Negra Modelo-Style Dark Mexican Lager at Home
If you've ever sipped a Negra Modelo and thought, "I wish I could brew something like this at home," you're in the right place. This dark Mexican lager is beautifully balanced. Not too hoppy, not too bitter, not too malty. Just smooth, flavorful, and incredibly drinkable.
At Small Batch Brewing, we're all about helping people discover the craft of brewing, whether you're making beer at home or working with us to create a custom keg for your next event. This recipe is perfect for homebrewers who want to try their hand at a classic style with a unique twist.
Let's break down how to brew your own Negra Modelo-inspired dark lager, step by step.
What Makes Negra Modelo Special?
Negra Modelo stands out among dark lagers because of its balance. It's not a heavy, roasty stout. It's a crisp, clean lager with just enough Crystal and Chocolate malts to give it rich color and subtle caramel-chocolate flavor. The use of German hops adds a touch of earthy, floral character without overpowering the malt.
This recipe captures that same balance in a one-gallon homebrew batch, making it perfect for experimenting at home before scaling up.
This recipe was heavily influenced by Clawhammer Supply's original recipe, just scaled down for a one-gallon batch.
Ingredients You'll Need
Grain Bill (Total: 33 oz)
Pilsner Malt – 26 oz (79%) The base malt that provides a clean, crisp foundation for the beer.
Vienna Malt – 5 oz (15%) Adds a subtle sweetness and golden color, giving the lager a fuller body.
Crystal Malt 60L – 1 oz (3%) Brings caramel flavor and enhances the beer's color and mouthfeel.
Chocolate Malt – 1 oz (3%) Contributes the dark color and subtle roasted notes without making the beer heavy.
Hops
Tettnang – 11 g A classic German hop known for its earthy, herbal character.
Hallertau – 6 g Adds mild floral and spicy notes, keeping the hop profile balanced and traditional.
Yeast
White Labs Mexican Lager Yeast (WLP940) – 1 package The key to achieving that clean, crisp lager finish. This yeast ferments at slightly warmer temperatures than traditional lager strains, making it more accessible for homebrewers.
Equipment You'll Need
To brew this recipe, you'll need basic homebrewing equipment. If you're just getting started, Brooklyn Brewshop offers great brewing kits and equipment that make the process easier for beginners and experienced brewers alike.
Basic Equipment List:
Two large pots (one for mashing, one for sparging)
Thermometer
Strainer or grain bag
Fermentation carboy (1-gallon size)
Blow-off tube and airlock
Bottles or kegging equipment
Optional: pH meter and water chemistry tools
Brewing Instructions
Ready to brew? Here's the full step-by-step process for your brew day.
For full detailed brewing instructions, [click here](link to full brewing guide).
Step 1: Mashing (60 Minutes)
Heat 0.8 gallons of water to 170°F. Add your grains and hold the temperature at 150-155°F for 60 minutes. This is the mashing stage, where enzymes in the malt convert starches into fermentable sugars.
During the last 10 minutes of mashing, fill a second pot with 1 gallon of water and heat it to 170°F. This will be your sparge water.
Step 2: Mash Out & Sparging
After 60 minutes, heat the mash up to 170°F and hold for 10 minutes. This step helps rinse out any remaining sugars from the grain.
Strain the mash into a large container. Pour the 170°F sparge water over the grains in the strainer slowly, collecting the liquid (wort) until you have about 5 quarts total.
Step 3: Boiling (60 Minutes)
Bring your wort to a boil. Once boiling, add all of your hops, both the Tettnang and Hallertau. This recipe only requires one hop addition at the start of the boil, keeping things simple and balanced.
Boil for a full 60 minutes to extract hop flavor and bitterness, and to sterilize the wort.
Step 4: Cooling & Pitching Yeast
After boiling, cool the wort down to about 70°F as quickly as possible. You can use an ice bath or a wort chiller for this.
Once cooled, transfer the wort to your fermentation carboy and pitch a quarter of your Mexican Lager Yeast (WLP940) (save the rest for another brew day)
Step 5: Fermentation (14 Days Total)
Let the beer ferment at 65-70°F for three days with a blow-off tube attached. The blow-off tube prevents any foam or krausen from clogging your airlock during the most active fermentation stage.
After three days, the bubbling should have subsided. Replace the blow-off tube with an airlock and let it sit for another 11 days (for a total of 14 days of fermentation).
Step 6: Bottling or Kegging
After 14 days, your beer is ready to bottle or keg. If bottling, add priming sugar to carbonate naturally. If kegging, you can force carbonate and enjoy your homebrew even sooner.
Let it condition for at least a week before cracking one open, and enjoy your homemade Negra Modelo-style lager!
Optional: Water Chemistry Adjustments
Water chemistry can take your homebrew from good to great. If you want to dial in your water profile for this recipe, here's what we recommend.
Total water needed: 1.8 gallons
Water Treatment Process:
Measure out 1.8 gallons of water into a pot.
Dissolve half of a Campden tablet and let it sit for 15 minutes to remove chlorine and chloramines.
Mineral Additions:
After treating the water, add the following:
Gypsum – 0.9 grams
Calcium Chloride – 3.4 grams
Epsom Salt – 1.6 grams
These additions help achieve the ideal water profile for a balanced, crisp lager.
Note: These measurements are specific to my water profile. Your local water may require different adjustments. Check your water report or use brewing software to calculate your specific needs.
pH Adjustment:
After the first 15 minutes of mashing, add about 0.25 ml of Lactic Acid to lower the pH to 5.45. This helps with enzyme efficiency and overall beer quality.
Split Your Water:
After making adjustments, split your water:
0.8 gallons for mashing
1 gallon for sparging
Want to Brew Big?
Work with Small Batch Brewing
Love this recipe but don't want to brew it yourself? Or maybe you want to scale it up for a party, wedding, or corporate event? Small Batch Brewing can create custom kegs inspired by your favorite beer styles, including dark Mexican lagers like this one.
We work with clients across Richmond VA and Central Virginia to design custom brews, deliver kegs, and provide full mobile bar service for events of all sizes.
What We Offer:
Custom keg brewing designed around your taste
Keg delivery and mobile bar setup
Professional bartending service
Local, Virginia-sourced ingredients
Non-alcoholic options for inclusive celebrations
Lead time: 4-8 weeks for custom brews. Reach out early to lock in your date.
