Corona's Traditional Garnish Gets Attention On Limited Edition Bottle

Some beers develop traditional, strict methods in how they are served. 

A “properly” poured Guinness or Stella has a specific set of steps, tools, timing, and glassware. And unlike most beers, Coronas are typically served with a lime wedge, a more casual tradition that isn’t so ritualistic.

Where Corona got its citrus garnish is unclear, and several theories abound. Some say the lime wedge gets used to wipe off any possible bottle cap rust, while others posit that the lime acts as a fly repellent. One tale is that a bartender bet his friend he could make the unconventional accompaniment popular. No proof will conclusively prove any one theory, though the beer wasn’t traditionally served with a lime wedge until it started getting imported into the US in 1981.

Whatever its origins, lime wedges and Corona are now so connected that it has made its way onto the bottles in the latest campaign for the beer in Paraguay. Conceived and executed with agency Oniria/TBWA, the campaign “Always with a lime” adds a lime wedge engraving onto the neck of the glass bottle, offering a reminder of the ritual and leveraging the custom forever tied to Corona. The six-pack carrier continues on the theme and includes instructions on how to serve a Corona beer along one panel, just in case someone doesn’t know how to slice a lime and stick a wedge into a beer.

In addition to the limited edition bottles, the campaign also includes a clothing collaboration with Paraguayan designer Albertina, which includes hoodies and tees with signature Corona branding and colorful lime wedges.