Michelob Ultra Takes the Lead as Best-Selling Beer

Michelob Ultra has officially claimed the title of the best-selling beer in the United States. The announcement came from its parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, citing data from Circana for the 52 weeks ending September 14th.

Light and lager style beers have also topped sales in bars and restaurants over the past year, according to Nielsen IQ data.

This new success marks a significant comeback for AB InBev, especially after a challenging period involving a controversial collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. This partnership faced backlash, prompting loyal consumers to call for a boycott, which severely impacted Bud Light’s sales in the months that followed.

Former Anheuser-Busch executive Anson Frericks noted that this downturn allowed Constellation Brands’ Modelo to rise to the top spot for beer sales in 2023, a tough blow for Bud Light, which had maintained its leading position for over two decades.

Constellation, which also markets other brands, has struggled with declining sales, with its CEO pointing to weak demand from Hispanic consumers, who make up a large portion of their market. This decline is said to be linked to various economic factors, including rising food prices and challenges in the job market, compounded by immigration issues arising from strict policies.

Newlands, the CEO, explained that beer consumption is being affected by these broader concerns, particularly in areas where Hispanic consumers traditionally enjoy beverages. He added that tariffs on aluminum and Mexican imports pose additional hurdles for beer manufacturers.

Recently, Constellation revised its full-year forecast, now anticipating a 2% to 4% drop in net beer sales, a shift from prior expectations of stable sales or a slight increase.

In contrast, AB InBev’s shares have seen a notable increase of 17% this year, while Constellation’s stock has plummeted by 40%.