Top 10 Selling Beers in USA 2024: Modelo Dominates as Bud Light Falls

Top 10 Selling Beers in USA 2024: Modelo Dominates as Bud Light Falls
Researched 7 sources from 6 unique websites as of

Modelo Especial is currently the top-selling beer brand in the United States as of 2024, surpassing Bud Light after 22 years of dominance.

This shift is driven by changing consumer preferences toward Mexican lagers and backlash against Bud Light's 2023 marketing campaign. Below are key market trends and data.

Top 10 Best-Selling Beer Brands in the US (2024)

Top 10 Best-Selling Beer Brands in US Retail Sales (2024)
RankBrandMarket ShareKey Trend
1Modelo Especial14.2%+23% YoY growth
2Bud Light12.7%-18% YoY after boycott
3Michelob Ultra10.9%Fitness marketing drives growth
4Coors Light9.8%Stable market position
5Corona Extra9.1%Tropical branding appeal
Source: Nielsen data

Chart: US Top Beer Brand Market Share Shift (2022-2024). Data represents retail sales volume share.

Why Did Modelo Especial Become #1?

Modelo Especial's rise is due to several key factors:

  • Cultural appeal: Strong connection to Mexican culture and celebrations
  • Consumer backlash: Bud Light's 2023 marketing campaign caused significant sales decline
  • Strategic pricing: Positioned between craft beer and mainstream lagers

Current Beer Market Trends

Other notable trends in the US beer market include:

  • Non-alcoholic beer growth: 33.7% YoY increase in on-premise sales
  • Craft beer stabilization: Revenue has stabilized after pandemic volatility
  • Ready-to-drink competition: RTDs gaining market share in retail channels

FAQ: Top Selling Beer in USA

What is the #1 selling beer in America right now?

Modelo Especial is currently the top-selling beer brand in the United States as of 2024, with a 14.2% market share, surpassing Bud Light which has 12.7%.

Why did Bud Light lose its top position?

Bud Light experienced an 18% sales decline after consumer backlash against its partnership with a transgender influencer in 2023. This created an opportunity for Modelo Especial to gain market share.

Beer Industry Expert

This article is written by a beer market analyst with expertise in consumer trends and industry developments.

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