Not Bud Light or Michelob Ultra: This is the most popular beer in the United States
April 7 is National Beer Day in the United States commemorating the beginning of the end of Prohibition. Here are Americans’ favorite brews in 2025.
While Americans awaited the repeal of prohibition, the Cullen-Harrison Act was passed to allow them to enjoy a low-alcohol beer or wine in the meantime. Signed by FDR on April 7, 1933, the date is celebrated annually as National Beer Day in the United States.
There are now over 9,700 breweries operating in the United States. Americans consumed an estimated 6.5 billion gallons in 2021 according to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Bud Light no longer the top beer in the US
2024 was a tumultuous year for one of the biggest brands in the nation, and world for that matter. Bud Light found itself at the center of controversy that was spiraling out of control when it teamed up with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a social media campaign.
An ensuing boycott by conservative consumers pushed by the far-right caused sales of the brand and others owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV to plummet. The company’s response led to backlash from the LGBTQ+ community.
Sales of Bud Light are still down and the once dominant brand has lost its crown. Modelo Especial became the best-selling beer in the US in May last year and has stayed there ever since. Other brands affiliated with the new Number One owned by Constellation Brands have gained in popularity as well.
According to NIQ the following are the current top-selling beers in the US:
- Modelo Especial
- Bud Light
- Michelob Ultra
- Coors Light
- Corona Extra
- Miller Lite
- Budweiser
- Busch Light
- Natural Light
- Heineken Original
What are the 10 most popular beers in America?
While Americans may buy more of the aforementioned beers, they aren’t necessarily the ones people enjoy drinking the most. At least that is what data from YouGov would indicate. As of the first quarter of 2025 the following brews are the most popular:
| Brand | Popularity | Fame |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Guinness | 55% | 93% |
| 2. Heineken | 51% | 93% |
| 3. Corona Extra | 49% | 93% |
| 4. Corona | 48% | 93% |
| 5. Blue Moon | 45% | 86% |
| 6. Stella Artois | 44% | 84% |
| 7. Michelob Light | 44% | 87% |
| 8. Samuel Adams | 44% | 84% |
| 9. Miller Genuine Draft | 42% | 80% |
| 10. Modelo | 42% | 86% |
Despite its sales falling, the popularity of Bud Light has only slipped slightly in the rankings. However, there has been no change in the amount of people who have a positive view of the brand, with 41 percent of respondents saying they like it. Budweiser is at 42 percent popularity in 2025.
Corona Light has dropped to #12. Respondents who had a favorable view of the beer decreased to 41 percent from 42 percent last year. Likewise, Corona Extra and Modelo are both in the top ten again this year.
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