In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 biggest beer brands in America. You can skip our detailed analysis of the growth in the American beer industry, effects of Covid-19 on the beer market and the emergence of craft beers and go directly to 5 Biggest Beer Brands in America.
According to a report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, beer is the most consumed alcoholic drink in the states. The annual beer consumption per capita in the U.S. in 2021 was 23.5 gallons. Over the last few years, the industry has emerged as one of the largest economic contributors in the country.
The Beer Institute, in its press release on May 22nd, has revealed that the U.S. beer industry contributed over 2.4 million local jobs and $409 billion to the national economy, equivalent to 1.6% of GDP. The industry also paid $132 billion in wages and contributed $63.8 billion in taxes.
These economic figures represent substantial growth since the last study two years ago, with an uptick of $78 billion, or a 23.5% growth. Also, 400,000 new jobs were added in the last two years, representing a growth of 20%.
The 2.4 million jobs the industry provides fall into a multitude of sectors, including over 92,000 brewer and beer-importer jobs, nearly 78,000 manufacturing jobs, over 137,000 distribution jobs, more than 52,000 agricultural jobs and close to 98,000 retail jobs. According to Beer Serves America, each job in the brewing industry generates 30 more jobs in every corner of the country.
This news is especially welcomed after the devastating impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had on the beer industry. Due to the strict lockdowns all over the country, bars, restaurants and taverns were shut down for extended periods of time. According to SP Global, 18 out of every 100 barrels are sold in bars, taverns and restaurants in the country, hence negatively impacting sales during the pandemic. Another reason for the decline in sales was the cancellation of live sports and entertainment, thus damaging an industry built on social gatherings. Production constraints also added to the problem.
A sector making a significant impact on the American beer market is the craft beer industry. Craft beers are beers brewed in small amounts by typically smaller and more independent breweries. It’s beer made by a brewery in which ‘craftsmanship’ is key. Craft beers are generally perceived as innovative, flavorful beers made with high-quality ingredients that provide a new, exciting and unique taste to their consumers.
The past five years have seen great innovation and brand maturation in the craft beer industry. A report by the Brewers Association has revealed that the total beer sales volume in the country in 2022 was around 182 million barrels and craft beers had a share of 13.2% in it, while another 22.2% was occupied by imported beers. A popular name in the American craft beer industry is the Boston Beer Company, owned by Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ). With its popular brands such as Samuel Adams and Dogfish Head, the brewery is contributing heavily to the growth of craft beer in the American consumer market.
According to a report by Market Research Future, the global craft beer market is projected to grow from $108.8 billion in 2023 to $232.6 billion in 2030, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 13.5% during the forecast period.
With that said, let's head to the list of 20 Biggest Beer Brands in America.
20 Biggest Beer Brands in America
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Methodology:
To rank the biggest beer brands in the United States, we have taken data from the ever-reliable, Chicago-based, Information Resources Inc. (IRI). The data represents total sales of beer in U.S. supermarkets, drug stores, mass-merchandisers, gas and convenience stores, military commissaries and select club and dollar retail chains, for the 52 weeks ending December 26, 2021. Some of these brands are not based in the US, but we've ranked them solely on their sales in America.
20 Biggest Beer Brands in America
20. Guinness
Dollar Sales in 2021: $184.1 million
The iconic Irish dry stout is manufactured by the alcoholic beverage company Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO). One of the most well-known and successful brands worldwide, Guinness has remained in production since 1759. The brand began using nitrogen in 1959, which changed the flavor and the fundamental texture of Guinness, as nitrogen bubbles are much smaller than carbon dioxide, making the beer ‘creamier’ and ‘smoother’. Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) was formed by the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan in 1997. Several other renowned alcohol brands such as Johnnie Walker, Baileys, Smirnoff and Don Julio are also owned by Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO).
19. Pacifico
Dollar Sales in 2021: $208.2 million
Cerveza Pacifico is a pilsner-style Mexican lager, imported into the United States. The beer is named so because the Pacifico Brewery is located on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Sinaloa. First brewed in 1900 when three Germans opened a brewery in the city of Mazatlán, the lager is 4.5% ABV with a crisp, refreshing flavor and a touch of grass-citrus and Ocean Mist. Pacifico has seen an increase of 3.2% in dollar sales, as compared to the previous year.
18. Samuel Adams
Dollar Sales in 2021: $234.7 million
Named after the Founding Father of the United States, Samuel Adams is the flagship brand of the Boston Beer Company, owned by Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ). Regarded as one the most important craft beers of all time, the Samuel Adams Boston Lager (5% ABV) is a symbol of the emerging American craft beer industry. Founded in 1945, Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:STZ) is a New-York based company with a market cap of $42.6 billion.
17. Sierra Nevada
Dollar Sales in 2021: $317.7 million
Sierra’s flagship Pale Ale is a 5.6% ABV balanced beer that’s heavy on hops without sacrificing on its rich flavor. The iconic craft beer is made from Cascade hops and caramelized malt, hopped to perfection. Established in California in 1979, Sierra Nevada is a family-owned-and-operated brewery.
16. New Belgium
Dollar Sales in 2021: $351.8 million
The New Belgium Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in Colorado. The brand produces Fat Tire Amber Ale, Voodoo IPA, Mural Agua Fresca Cerveza, among others. Being the first wind-powered brewery in the country, New Belgium was established in 1991. The Fat Tire recipe originates from a co-founder’s bicycle trip, brewery-hopping through Belgium. New Belgium witnessed an increase of 14.9% in dollar sales, as compared to the previous year.
15. Blue Moon
Dollar Sales in 2021: $370.9 million
Introduced in 1995, Blue Moon is a 5.4% ABV Belgian-style wheat beer produced in Colorado by the Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP). The beer has a noticeable citrus character with a hint of spice, due to the use of coriander and orange peel in the brewing process. The company witnessed a decrease of 7.8% in dollar sales, as compared to 2021. Blue Moon also produces other beers, such as Honey Moon, Full Moon, Pale Moon, Harvest Moon and Rising Moon, among others.
14. Yuengling
Dollar Sales in 2021: $376.5 million
A true American classic, Yuengling is a 4.5% ABV traditional, amber lager produced by the oldest brewery in America, the Pennsylvania-based D.G. Yuengling & Son. Established in 1829, the company is the largest wholly American-owned brewery in the United States.
13. Miller High Life
Dollar Sales in 2021: $400.6 million
Owned by the Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP), Miller High Life was launched as Miller Brewing Company’s flagship beer in 1903. It is a 4.6% ABV American lager with a crisp sweet-bitter taste. It is known for its high level of carbonation, thus leading to its longtime slogan ‘The Champagne of Beers”.
12. Keystone
Dollar Sales in 2021: $428.5 million
Produced in Colorado, Keystone beer is also a product of the Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP). One of the most popular beers of the brand is Keystone Light, which is a 4.1% ABV triple-filtered, American style lager with a clean, crisp and smooth taste. With a market cap of $13.1 billion, the Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) employs over 17,000 people around the world.
11. Stella Artois
Dollar Sales in 2021: $434.3 million
First brewed in 1926, Stella Artois is a 5.2% ABV Pilsner beer from Belgium. Named after the Christmas star, the beer is traditionally enjoyed in a Stella Artois chalice. The brand witnessed a decrease of 3.7% in dollar sales since the previous year. Stella Artois is a fruity, crisp and soft beer, made from barley malt, water, hops and maize. Yeast is also used in the fermentation process but almost all of it is removed before packaging.
10. Dos Equis XX
Dollar Sales in 2021: $463.9 million
Imported into the U.S. from Mexico, Dos Equis is a crisp, refreshing and light-bodied amber lager made from pure spring water. In 2014, the brand also introduced Azul, made from blue agave nectar and some new spices. The company witnessed an increase of 5.7% in dollar sales, as compared to 2020.
9. Heineken
Dollar Sales in 2021: $916.1 million
One of the most popular brands in the world, Heineken is sold in 192 countries worldwide. It is a 5% ABV Dutch pale lager imported into the U.S. Introduced in 1873, Heinken is sold in a green glass bottle with its iconic red star. The brand also introduced its non-alcoholic variant Heineken 0.0 in 2017. Heineken is also famous as the major sponsor of the famed soccer competition, the UEFA Champions League. It is one of the biggest beer companies operating in the US.
8. Natural
Dollar Sales in 2021: $1.34 billion
Introduced in 1977, Natural Light was the first reduced calorie, light beer introduced by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD). The brand witnessed a decrease in dollar sales of 8.5%, compared to the previous year. The beer’s longer brewing process produces a lighter body, fewer calories and an easy-drinking character. Due to its light nature, the beer is especially popular among the younger, inexperienced consumer segments.
7. Busch
Dollar Sales in 2021: $1.73 billion
Introduced in 1955 as Busch Bavarian Beer, the brand name was changed to Busch beer in 1979. It is a 4.7% ABV economy brand lager, made with water, barley malt, yeast, hops and rice. With a very soft, feathery and smooth flavor, Busch is an easy-drinking beer for your average consumer. The brand is also owned by the industry giant Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD)
6. Miller Lite
Dollar Sales in 2021: $2.13 billion
Also owned by the Chicago-based Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP), Miller Lite is a 4.2% ABV light American lager. Introduced in 1975, Miller Lite competes mainly with Bud Light, owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD). The brand witnessed a 5.5% decrease in dollar sales compared to the previous year. In 2011, Miller Lite partnered with actor and comedian Jimmy O. Yang to launch Beernaments or ‘drinkable ornaments’ for Christmas.
