The 23 Most Popular Beers in America That Everyone Loves
The most popular beer in America is widely consumed by millions of people around the nation. Almost 42 percent of total American drinkers prefer beers over any other alcohol.
Because of this, we have prepared this latest list of the popular American beers that sell millions of barrels yearly. For a beer lover, this is a great opportunity to see if their favorite beer has made the list.
| Beer Name | Why They’re Popular |
| Bud Light | With around 15.4 percent market share, Bud Light is the most sold and popular beer in America. |
| Budweiser | The “King of Beers” has the subtleness of Noble hops and malty sweetness that makes it unique. |
| Coors Light | The malty flavor is complemented by the hint of mild bitterness and mineral water. |
| Miller Lite | The low-carb beer has a corn syrup flavor, but the mystery of this beer is its greatest virtue. |
| Corona Extra | The beer is famous for its golden-pilsner appearance and is one of the best-selling beers across America. |
| Michelob Ultra | It is a light lager beer with a neutral flavor and is a favorite. |
| Modelo Special | This beer is right for newbies with a 4.4 percent alcohol content and a bland flavor. |
| Natural Light | It has a strong grainy flavor with a hint of sweetness to counter the bitterness. |
| Busch Light | With just a 4.1 percent ABV rating, this beer feels light, smooth, and supremely drinkable. |
| Busch | With a 4.3 percent ABV rating and 114 calories per 12oz serving, it is a great choice for amateur drinkers. |
| Heineken | It contains malt and biscuit flavor with the perfect balance of sweetness and malt. |
| Keystone Light | With only 101 calories per serving, the beer is ideal for those on a diet who still wish to try a quality beer. |
| Miller High Life | The beer gives you a slight hoppy feel from the carefully chosen Galena hops. |
| Stella Artois | Many refer to this drink as a floral beer combining hoppy bitterness, malty sweetness, and fruity citrus feels. |
| Bud Ice | For people with a strict diet, this beer will be ideal for tasting something stronger and more flavorful. |
| Pabst Blue Ribbon | This is one of the lowest-priced American-style beers you can get in bars and pubs. |
| Natural Ice | It uses ice for brewing to offer a cold flavor with every sip, while its main ingredients include corn and malted barley. |
| Blue Moon Belgian White | Molson Coors prepared this beer for those who want an original Belgian beer on their favorites list. |
| Dos Equis | It is a pilsner-style beer with a clear and watery taste. |
| Yuengling Lager | It has cascade and cluster hops and is carefully fermented with roasted caramel malt. |
| Coors Banquet | The beer’s key specialty is that it only uses water from the Rocky Mountains. |
| Corona Light | Its crisp and refreshing taste will increase your appetite and leave you wanting more. |
| Guinness | With a 4.2 percent ABV rating and 125 calories, it offers a brilliant mouth-filled experience. |
The 23 Most Popular Beer In America
Saying that Americans love beer can be seen as an understatement. Be it a BBQ party or a cold, lazy evening; people love grabbing a cold one and sipping bottles and glasses of beer. Because of this, there is no doubt that the American market is brimming with many variations of beer brands and types.
– Bud Light
With around 15.4 percent market share, Bud Light is the most sold and popular beer in America. Anheuser-Busch InBev introduced the beer in 1982, which was an immediate hit. The beer has never looked back.
These days, it is considered the heart of American beer lovers. It has a thin and watery formation, and its easy drinkability, smoothness, and refreshing vibe have helped it reach every American. It even combines fruity and citrus flavors for a perfect appetizer.
In 2017, Anheuser-Busch InBev shipped 33 million barrels of Bud Light across America. But, in the recent past, it has seen a slight decrease in sales.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 15.4 percent
- Sales: 33 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Budweiser
Budweiser comes from the Anheuser-Busch InBev family and is a highly revered beer throughout America. It is also one of the oldest beers in the USA, being introduced in 1876. Americans lovingly call it the “King of Beers.”
Budweiser is not only a top-selling beer in America but also worldwide. The company ships it to more than 70 countries. Its wonderful finish with a crisp, clean, subtle fruity note makes it popular.
Whether you are a first-time drinker or a beer enthusiast, it must be on your favorites list. The subtleness of Noble hops and malty sweetness makes it unique. According to Statista, Budweiser had a market value of $14.65 billion alone in 2020.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 6.4 percent
- Sales: 13.3 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Coors Light
Molson Coors Brewing Company largely introduced this beer in the American market in 1991. It soon hit the taste buds of American beer lovers with excellent aroma and taste. Reviewers say that it has a slightly sweet and malty flavor.
The malty flavor is complemented by the hint of mild bitterness and mineral water. Also, the light beer feels smooth and refreshing. Drinkers love it for less dryness as many light beers feel drier on the palate.
Moreover, the beer is free of any lingering aftertaste, so it goes well and is a perfect starter for a long night. It can be the perfect drink for your backyard BBQ parties.
- Company: Molson Coors Brewing Company
- Market Share: 7.7 percent
- Sales: 16.5 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Miller Lite
The popular beer debuted in the American market in 1975. However, unlike the top two beers on our list, Miller Lite took its sweet time reaching its sales peak. In 1990, the company shipped 19 million barrels, reaching a record for beer.
The taste has a carbonated water feel. The low-carb beer has a corn syrup flavor, however, the manufacturer doesn’t reveal all the ingredients used for this light beer. It has remained a mystery among beer lovers. However, this mystery hasn’t stopped the sales of the beer as it continues to grow in sales volume and popularity.
- Company: Molson Coors Brewing Company
- Market Share: 6.7 percent
- Sales: 13.1 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Corona Extra
Corona Extra holds the record of being one of the most popular beers in America 2021. The beer is famous for its golden-pilsner appearance and is one of the best-selling beers across America. It has a fair bit of popularity worldwide too. Constellation Brands is the manufacturer of this beer.
They first introduced the beer in Mexico City. It first came on the market in 1925 and is on the verge of celebrating its 100th year. Reviewers say it has a crisp and clean taste. Also, you will find it refreshing and easily drinkable.
The beer has a perfect balance between malt and hops so it doesn’t feel bitter, and its fruity-honey aroma improves our appetite. The beer is light. In fact, it is lighter than most traditional beers on the market. You will also find a Corona Light version if you want the lightest version of it.
- Company: Constellation Brands
- Market Share: 4.1 percent
- Sales: 8.8 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Michelob Ultra
Business Insider reports that Michelob Ultra is among the top five fastest-growing beers in the last decade. It is a light lager beer with a neutral flavor and is a favorite. Even if you dislike the malty and hoppy bitterness, this beer will fulfill your palate perfectly.
On top of it, this popular beer tilts towards a slight corn-like flavor for uniqueness. The setback of the beer is its dry finish with high-carbonated manufacturing, so it might not feel as easy to drink as the other beers on the list. However, it will be a great selection if you love an incredible experience with every sip that slowly turns into a malty sweetness.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 3.6 percent
- Sales: 7.75 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Modelo Special
Most beer brands hardly have one popular drink on their list. Regarding this, Constellation Brands is unique as it has both Modelo Special and Corona Light on the top beer lists in America. Also, Modelo Special is the 2nd fastest growing beer in the USA market. In fact, it is among the top 10 exported beers from America.
This beer is right for newbies with a 4.4 percent alcohol content and a bland flavor. The beer combines maize, subtle honey, and malt within its ingredients. Plus, it has high carbonation and a crisp finish. The beer follows the traditional lager manufacturing style with a richness of delicate hops.
You can get the beer both in cans and bottles. It allows you to choose the right one depending on your drinkability and budget. Also, its canned version is the most popular in Mexico.
- Company: Constellation Brands
- Market Share: 3.3 percent
- Sales: 7.2 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Natural Light
Many claims that it is among the most popular beers in Texas. Well, the beer has great love among drinkers for its amazing and soothing feel with every sip you take. It has a strong grainy flavor with a hint of sweetness to counter the bitterness.
The hops will provide your stomach with a quick and shocking sting flavor. Thankfully, this shocking feel fades away quickly and won’t linger. So it is perfect for a long beer night without the lingering taste to ruin your enjoyment.
It is also famously called Natty Light. Plus, this beer is highly popular among college and university students in America. Natural Light is among the lightest traditional American beers. It only has 4.2 percent alcohol content, so even a person with low alcohol tolerance can consume it for long periods of time.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 3 percent
- Sales: 6.5 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Busch Light
This beer also comes from the Anheuser-Busch family of traditional lager-style beer. With just a 4.1 percent ABV rating, this beer feels light, smooth, and supremely drinkable. It also contains 95 calories per serving, enough to meet your appetite.
It retains the slightest malty flavor, however, you will hardly feel any smell as you sip the beer. The taste is clear and crisp so it leaves no traces of smell or taste in your mouth. It is useful when you decide to taste multiple beers simultaneously. It won’t overshadow the other drinks.
Although reviewers suggest that it has a boring and flavorless taste, its sales still skyrocketed in the last few years. It is largely because of its lightness that won’t force you to become sleepy even after a few drinks. Naturally, this light version of the popular Busch drink has a good fan following.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 3 percent
- Sales: 6.4 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Busch
We talked about the Busch Light beer above, so how can we skip this list of the most popular beer in the world without the original Busch? Yes, it comes from the same lager-style beer family and is highly drinkable.
With a 4.3 percent ABV rating and 114 calories per 12oz serving, it is a great choice for amateur drinkers. The pleasant aroma it has is truly outstanding. You will also love its clear finish with not-so-high carbonation and lingering flavor.
It’s also among the six beer brands from Anheuser-Busch that tops the most-sold American beers worldwide.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 2.2 percent
- Sales: 4.7 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Heineken
Heineken is a Dutch beer with a worldwide fan following with extreme popularity, including in America. According to Business Insider, this beer is the 3rd most valued beer worldwide. It is only after Budweiser and Busch are on the list of top beers around the world.
Drinkers appreciate the beer for its consistency. Also, the lager-style fermentation with snow gives this beer a unique taste. It contains malt and biscuit flavor with the perfect balance of sweetness and malt. You will sometimes get a skunky flavor, but it doesn’t linger for too long.
The beer has been in the market since February 15, 1864. Drinkers love its strong aroma for a steady rise in their appetite for lager-style beers.
- Company: Heineken International
- Market Share: 1.8 percent
- Sales: 4.1 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Keystone Light
Molson Coors Brewing Company doesn’t make many light beers. However, Keystone Light from them fulfills the need of light lager lovers brilliantly. It has a classic American style that goes through your guts without any shocking feel.
In fact, it tastes pretty crisp, clean, and watery. Many people have found the beer not too awesome, but its sales have increased significantly in the past few years. Also, with 101 calories per serving, the beer is ideal for those on a diet who still wish to try a quality beer.
- Company: Molson Coors Brewing Company
- Market Share: 1.6 percent
- Sales: 3.4 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Miller High Life
Fredrick Miller created both the Miller High Life and Miller Lite beer to entertain the palate of every American beer lover. Both beers have shared excellent popularity. However, the high-life version with an average of 4.6 percent ABV rating is slightly more popular than the lighter version.
Once you drink the beer, you will find its similarity with corn flakes or soda crackers, reminiscent of your childhood. Also, you will find it refreshing and drinkable without any shocking or pungent feeling. Ultimately, it gives you a slight hoppy feel from the carefully chosen Galena hops.
It has the secret Miler yeast for fermentation that blooms its aroma, so the golden pilsner beer is ready to meet your beer affection perfectly.
- Company: Molson Coors Brewing Company
- Market Share: 1.6 percent
- Sales: 3.4 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Stella Artois
The root of this craft beer is traced back to the early 17th century in Belgium. Hence, it is one of the oldest beers in America with a European origin. Anheuser-Busch has continuously developed its recipe to meet the changing appetite of alcohol lovers.
The pilsner beer has an ABV rating of 5.2 percent, so it follows a standard ratio to meet the fondness of light and heavy beer lovers. Also, with classic pilsner-style crafting, this beer has seen steady growth in its sales.
Many refer to it as a floral beer combining hoppy bitterness, malty sweetness, and fruity citrus feels. The premium lager is well-balanced with a crisp and clean finish. Because of this, it won’t linger in your palate for too long to ruin date night.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 1.3 percent
- Sales: 2.7 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Bud Ice
Bud Ice is lovingly called the sibling of Bud Light Platinum for its similarity in taste and feel. On the contrary, reviewers and critics have criticized the beer for not having strong characteristics. Yet, the beer has never gone out of the discussion regarding classic lagers.
Although it is not a light version, it has low calories. You will get 123 calories per serving compared to 130 calories of Natural Ice. So, for people with a strict diet, this beer will be ideal for tasting something stronger and flavorful.
Since 2014, this beer has seen steady growth in popularity and sales. In fact, it is one of the fewest craft beers that have seen a growth in sales even during the pandemic.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 1.2 percent
- Sales: 2.6 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Pabst Blue Ribbon
This beer is famously known as beer for hipsters. Its crisp, clean and refreshing mode is truly amazing. Also, its heavy carbonation offers soft citrus feel that goes perfectly with every palate, so you will love its simple yet engaging taste.
However, it’s not the taste but the price of this beer that is responsible for its recent popularity. It is one of the lowest-priced American-style beers you can get in bars and pubs. Thus, during the recession, it has seen serious growth in sales. As the recession deepens, it is anticipated that the beer will see further growth in its popularity.
- Company: Blue Ribbon Intermediate Holdings
- Market Share: 1.2 percent
- Sales: 2.5 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Natural Ice
The beer gets its name from one of its unique brewing ingredients. It uses ice for brewing to offer a cold flavor with every sip, while its main ingredients include corn and malted barley. The main reason it is among the top-selling beers in America 2020 is its strong presence of alcohol. With a 5.9 percent ABV rating, this lager is truly a night entertainer.
At first, you will get a hint of sweetness. You will also get a fruity flavor as it remains in your mouth. It is much like an apple or grape with no harsh bitterness, so it goes easily with every palate.
Furthermore, its bland but crisp feel is something to cherish for a long time. It will also be a good choice to enjoy at a reasonable price.
- Company: Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Market Share: 1.1 percent
- Sales: 2.4 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Blue Moon Belgian White
Molson Coors prepared this beer for those who want an original Belgian beer on their favorites list. The beer is a white ale, following the Belgian beer style. It is ready to entertain our appetite with variations of bitterness, sweetness, and fruity citrus feels.
What’s more, the beer comes unfiltered, so you can please your stomach with the raw taste without any turbulence. As you start sipping the beer, you will feel a citrusy flavor coming from the orange. Then, you will get a spicy flavor as it has coriander in its recipe that offers a sharp taste.
Previously, beer has been the talk of the town for its controversy. Its manufacturer marketed it as a carefully produced craft beer. On the contrary, it is a mass-produced beer.
- Company: Molson Coors Brewing Company
- Market Share: 1.00 percent
- Sales: 2.1 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Dos Equis
Dos Equis is a pretty new beer on this list. Yes, it was marketed only in the late 19th century. In fact, its brand name XX came from the Roman numeral that means 20. Originally, Wilhelm Hasse made this craft beer in Mexico.
Later, it was taken by Heineken and since then, beer has seen mass production. It is a pilsner-style beer with a clear and watery taste. Its main ingredients use malt and corn. As it has no hoppy ingredient, you will hardly feel any bitterness.
Moreover, the absence of any off-flavor makes it the right choice for new drinkers. They can drink it with ease without any rough experiences. Each serving has a 4.2 percent ABV rating, so it won’t make you drunk even after a few bottles.
- Company: Heineken
- Market Share: 1.00 percent
- Sales: 2 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Yuengling Lager
This highly flavorful yet tasty beer comes from a family brewery. The brewery is in Pennsylvania and has a rich history of more than 200 years, so it is the oldest family-owned beer in America. In fact, this is one of the fewest prevalent American beers still owned by a family.
With this beer, you will get careful preparation with amazing craftiness. It has a 4.4 percent ABV rating with a crisp and clear flavor. It has cascade and cluster hops and is carefully fermented with roasted caramel malt.
The sweetness of the malt reduces the effect of hoppy bitterness, so you don’t need to worry about any odd notes. On top of it, its rich amber color makes it look awesome during a BBQ party. You can serve it to guests with BBQs without worries.
The most amazing fact is that this beer still ranks among the top 20 popular American beers even though a family owns it. Also, it has retained the original taste, which gives it a great advantage.
- Company: D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc
- Market Share: 1.00 percent
- Sales: 2.1 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Coors Banquet
In 1873, the beer was originally marketed as Golden Lager. Albert Coors introduced this beer in Colorado as the first beer of his company. Soon, the beer became popular among the miners throughout the Rocky Mountain area.
Later, the beer name was changed to “Banquet” to honor the sacrifice of the miners. The beer’s key specialty is that it only uses water from the Rocky Mountains. Plus, it uses Moravian barley that is produced locally in Colorado.
The beer contains 5 percent alcohol, which is standard for the most popular beer by state.
– Corona Light
In recent years, Mexican beers have become popular in America. Following it, this Corona Light beer has been enjoying superior popularity among all. One of the key reasons for its ever-growing popularity is that people love it for its original Mexican-style preparation.
Nonetheless, its increasing sales also showcase that it is popular among Americans. It has 99 calories per serving and a 4.00 percent ABV rating. Also, its crisp and refreshing taste will increase your appetite and leave you wanting more.
- Company: Constellation Brands
- Market Share: 0.65 percent
- Sales: 1.3 million barrels in 2017-2018
– Guinness
This is an Irish beer that sells pretty well in America, which highlights the excellent flavor and taste this beer has. With a 4.2 percent ABV rating and 125 calories, it offers a brilliant mouth-filled experience.
Like most beers, it has a combination of slight bitterness and sweetness. The beer stands out with its notes of chocolate and coffee. It isn’t strong but enjoyable without any boring feel, so you should find this Irish beer quite tasty.
- Company: Diageo
- Market Share: 0.50 percent
- Sales: 1.1 million barrels in 2017-2018
Conclusion
We have presented you with the top 23 most popular beers in America. These beers have wonderful tastes and flavors that are sure to fulfill your appetite.
- Some popular beers in America include Bud Light Platinum, Rolling Rock, Samuel Adams, etc.
- Anheuser-Busch InBev has 6 beers in the list of top 10 beers in the USA. It makes the company the world’s most valued brewer.
- Yuengling Lager in this list is the only beer still owned by a small family. Its craft brewing technique has remained the same for more than 200 years.
- Beer shipment in America has reduced by 1 percent compared to 2017, and more people prefer wines now.
On top of it, many of these beers are shipped worldwide with excellent value. Pick one or multiple beers from this recommended list and enjoy them today!
