The puritanical influence of the United States is felt as soon as the website opens, as a request to enter your state (i.e., location, not sober or inebriated) and date of birth appears prominently on the splash page. (Corona is an alcoholic beverage, which in the US is regulated by local authorities for only those over the age of 21; for some reason this regulation is forced on all the other regional sites as well.) Interestingly, there is no warning that you might forever burn in hell if you cheat on your age or state.

The soundtrack is soberly exotic and had a noticeable soothing effect on colleagues during this review. If your boss happens to be around this summer, the Corona tropical sounds are worth leaving on as a non-offensive mental escape from your corporate cubicle. Perhaps it will inspire someone to spring for afternoon beers.

The three displays, with their animated parrots and crabs, are superbly aligned with the imagery of Corona's TV commercials in the US. On the website, the imagery doubles as a game, in which the visitor is supposed to find holiday "activities." The score is counted in the number of Corona bottles piling up in an ice chest. However the games that are currently on the site hardly qualify as strategic or challenging. Basically the viewer goes through all the promotional activities (watch a video, listen to Corona radio) and collects virtual bottles. Perhaps Corona is hoping that the concept will make viewers thirsty during the day but not so tired as to skip an evening at the pub.

Other features also include a set of brief answers to frequently asked questions, sending e-cards to friends, and an e-shop offering items such as coolers, umbrellas, clothes and towels. All add to the fun in the sun, beer sipping, relaxing attitude that Corona is trying to project, without taxing the mind too hard.

It’s difficult to imagine that the average visitor’s expectations to a beer website are terribly demanding. Perhaps bearing this mind, Corona keeps it simple and entertaining. There is no discussion of the product, only an opportunity to buy or play. If the main objective is to support its brand in the US market, Corona.com takes the crown. However, if the objective is to provide something of substance, then perhaps another beer will have to do.