Expert: John Snyder - 8/17/2006

Question
Hi,

Please clear this up for me. Some of the gentlemen in my office think I talk out my a-- when it comes to stupid little facts. I say the real reason why a lime is put in a Corona bottle is because in Mexico they would do that to keep flies out of the beer and possibly clean the rim of their bottle. Would you happen to know the answer to this or where I could find the answer.
Thank you,
Lisa

Answer
That is one of several reasons given for the lime

Another that the beer being so light was almost tasteless

Mexican residents for the most part when drinking Corona do not use lime.It is said to be a tourist thing.

Corona came to the USA in 1979 in California and Texas.

Corona being in a clear bottle is very prone to a taste breakdown,from light and sunlight,in as little as 2 hrs.Traveling of the Corona to foreign markets added to this

The taste and aroma that develops is that of a skunky nature and the lime is used to mask the flavor.The brewing ingredient responsible for this reaction is the hops.This flavor does not develop in cans or brown bottles.Miller Brewing had the same problem,but overcame it with a secret hop processing that they developed.

That is what brewers believe the reason the lime was used,although there is no hard evidence.

Some people believe it was a marketing gimmick