The Best-selling Beer in America Isn't From the U.S.

7 different brands of bottled beer in a row — Can you pick the U.S.'s top-selling beers from this lineup? Chones / Shutterstock

Beer is as much a part of American culture as burgers and baseball. Look at any tailgating party, Sunday cookout, after-work happy hour or marathon recovery tents; you'll see that ice-cold beer has become a ubiquitous social staple. And the best-selling beer in America reflects trends in consumer preferences.

Beer companies are currently finding their greatest financial success with light, low-carb beers. Let's take a look at the 10 top-selling beer brands in the U.S, available in retail, grocery and convenience stores nationwide.

1. Modelo Especial

Modelo Especial became the best-selling beer in the U.S. in 2023 and maintained its lead into 2024.

The crisp, pilsner-style lager with a orange blossom honey aroma was first brewed in 1925 in Mexico by Grupo Modelo. It's a symbol of cultural pride for Mexicans, but now the brand's largest market is the U.S.

2. Bud Light

Bud Light held the No. 1 spot for 22 years, and it's now the second-best-selling beer. Its sales declined sharply due to consumer backlash in 2023, but it remains a significant player in the beer industry thanks to its light beer profile and wide availability.

3. Coors Light

This light beer is known for its "cold-activated" packaging that indicates when the beer is at the ideal temperature for drinking: The signature mountains in the brand's label turn blue. It's known for its slightly malty sweetness and low bitterness.

4. Miller Lite

A classic low-carb beer option, Miller Lite is known for its "great taste, less filling" tagline that has kept it popular among calorie-conscious beer drinkers who still want full flavor. It's brewed with barley malt, hops and corn syrup.

5. Michelob Ultra

Michelob Ultra, another low-carb beer, is one of the lightest beers on the market, containing 95 calories and 2.6 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving.

The brand makes an effort to engage with consumers with active lifestyles, securing sponsorships with events like marathons and golf tournaments, as well as partnerships with fitness apps like MyFitnessPal.

6. Busch Light

Busch Light, which also has a low calorie count, is known for its smooth, crisp taste with a light malt character.

The brand markets itself as the beer for rural America, featuring camouflage designs, an affordable price and a partnership with the wetland and waterfowl conservation group Ducks Unlimited.

7. Corona Extra

The Mexican lager is known for its iconic lime garnish inserted into the neck of the bottle. The presentation has given it the laid-back reputation of being a tropical, beachy, vacation beer. It's known for having a subtle malt sweetness, notes of grain and a slight citrus zest.

8. Yuengling Traditional Lager

This beer is brewed by D.G. Yuengling & Son, America's oldest brewery which was established in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Founder David Gottlieb Yuengling was a German immigrant who founded what was originally named the Eagle Brewery, but the name was changed to D.G. Yuengling & Son when his son Frederick joined the business in 1873. It's still run by the family, now in its sixth generation.

9. Budweiser

Known as "The King of Beers," Budweiser has a rich history in the U.S., as it was one of the first beers to be distributed nationally in America.

It's also known for its many memorable Super Bowl commercials featuring their signature Clydesdale horses, and its "100% Renewable Electricity" campaign, which ensures that all of its beer in the U.S. is brewed using wind and solar energy.

10. Pabst Blue Ribbon

Founded by German immigrant Frederick Pabst, the brand — commonly abbreviated as PBR — became known as "Pabst Blue Ribbon" after winning a blue ribbon at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

PBR had a renewal in popularity in the 2000's among younger drinkers because it gained a presence at indie music festivals and dive bars. The brand even launched its own music festival — Pabst Blue Ribbon Music Festival, also known as Project Pabst — in 2013 in Portland, Oregon. The festival returned in 2024 after a seven-year break.

How Much Beer Does America Consume Per Year?

According to statistics from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade, the U.S. beer industry shipped 192 barrels (equivalent to 6 billion gallons or 22 billion liters) of beer in 2023.

The U.S. ranks No. 2 globally in total beer consumption, after China — though it trails countries like Germany and the Czech Republic in per-capita consumption.

In the American beer market, beer sales are driven by massive national brands like Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors Beverage Company. Beer consumption skyrockets during the summer, the most crucial sales period stretching from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Beer-sponsored events, such as games and other sporting events, also play a major role in driving sales. Budweiser, for instance, has long been the official beer sponsor of the Super Bowl. The 2024 Super Bowl was sponsored by Bud Light and Michelob Ultra.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.