Most Popular Beers Around the World

Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks among Americans, and perhaps, across the globe too. The proof lies in the fact that beer worth nearly $661 billion was sold throughout the world in 2017 (according to Business Insider). Approximately 40 percent of alcohol consumers in America claim that beer is their preferred choice of liquor, and about 75 liters of beer per person were consumed in the country in the year 2016 alone.

In 2019, over 200 million barrels of beer were shipped by the beer industry in the U.S., an amount that could easily fill over 2.5 billion cases, each containing more than 20 12-ounce bottles or cans (as reported by the beer distributors of America). Also, 82 percent of this was manufactured locally. Some of the most popular beer distributors in the nation include Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Advertisements of beers like Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Bud Light are typically seen during the screening of sports/matches on television, and several million barrels of these brands are transported throughout America every year.

In the last few years, there has been an increasing demand for Mexican beer brands in the U.S., which has led to lagers such as Corona and Modelo climbing up the ladder on the nation’s favorite beer list. And even though there might have been an overall drop in the sales of beer across the globe, these lagers have managed to avoid the hit suffered by brands like Bud Light and Miller Lite. Benj Steinman from Beer Marketer’s Insights reports that there are primarily three reasons behind the rising demand for imported Mexican beers. First, the United States has a Hispanic population that’s steadily rising in numbers. The second reason is very powerful marketing campaigns, and the third reason is the increasing appeal of the beers in the local market.

Now, let’s get down to a list that will have the attention of all beer lovers- the most popular beer brands across the globe!

1. Bud Light

Bud Light belongs to the parent company of Anheuser-Busch InBev and shipped around 29,350,000 barrels of beer in the year 2018. Its overall share in the market in the same year was 14.3 percent. Despite the fact that Bud Light has suffered a 20 percent decline in sales since 2013, it continues to remain one of the best selling beers in America. The distinguishing factor for Bud Light is that, unlike other light beers such as Coors and Miller, it doesn’t sweeten the beverage using corn syrup.

2. Coors Light

MillerCoors is the parent company of Coors Light, which shipped approximately 14,875,000 barrels of beer in 2018. Its market share in the same year was second to Bud Light, amounting to 7.2 percent. If you are watching your weight but still don’t wish to give up your favorite alcoholic drink, then this beer brand is perfect for you. It is known for being a low-carb and low-calorie lager and has a clean and light taste. However, there are plenty of other beers that have fewer carbs and calories than Coors Light, so it is not exactly the only ‘diet beer’ option in the market.

3. Corona

Corona ranked as the best imported beer in America in 2017. It sold a little over 28 million hectoliters across the globe and is the leader of the Mexican beer industry throughout the world. While Corona Extra has the maximum takers in the U.S., its low-cal alternative, Corona Light, is quickly gaining a lot of fans. This beer has about 99 calories in a 12-ounce serving.

4. Tecate

One of the most popular Mexican lagers, Tecate, takes its name from a city in the region of Baja, California, where it has been brewing since 1944. It was in 2010 that Tecate, Sol, and Dos Equis were acquired by Heineken. You will find the original Tecate beer being enjoyed at several barbecues. It has two more variants, namely Tecate Light and Diablo. The former is a low-calorie lager containing just 110 calories per serving, while the latter is a twist on Michelada, an iconic cocktail, and is made with tomato juice, extra spice, lime, and salt.

5. Stella Artois

With Anheuser-Busch InBev as its parent company, Stella Artois shipped 2,675,000 barrels of beer in 2018 and acquired a market share of 1.3 percent in the same year. This Belgian pilsner is known for its sophisticated look and stunning glass and was first brewed in 1926 in Belgium by Leuven’s Artois Brewery. Stella is a classic Belgian lager consumed across the globe and was among the fastest-growing beer brands in the U.S. from 2013 to 2018.

6. Busch

Busch was originally called Busch Bavarian Beer and was launched after the 1955 Prohibition by a man named Anheuser-Busch. It shipped a total of 4,175,000 barrels of beer in 2018 and had a market share of two percent in the same year.

7. Budweiser

When we say beer, one of the first names that come to mind is Budweiser. This is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular beers sold in America, and had a market share of 5.5 percent in 2018 when about 11,300,000 barrels were shipped into the country. A special process, known as ‘kraeusening,’ is used for brewing Budweiser. It involves carbonating with fermenting beer that helps in removing off-flavors and also reduces carbonation duration. Manufacturers add beechwood strips to the beverage during kraeusening with the aim of collecting yeast and increasing its interaction with beer.

8. Kölsch

If there is one place in the world that is supremely famous for its dynamic beer culture, it is Germany. You’ll find several different kinds of brews in this country, and one of the best among them is Kölsch. This is a light beer, which has its origin in Cologne in Germany. For those looking to try a brand, Heinrich Reissdorf Brewery is a great option and sells excellent Kölsch beers throughout the world.

9. Miller Lite

Coming from the parent company, MillerCoors, Miller Lite is one of the first few light beers to hit the market, or so they’d like to believe. In reality, low-calorie beer was the invention of a company called Rheingold Brewing Company, which introduced this healthier version of beer in the year 1967. It was made available in the market under several different brands until 1972. Miller basically reformulated the beer and launched it in 1972 with the name of ‘Miller Lite.’ In 2018, its market share in the U.S. region was 6.1 percent.

10. Heineken

Heineken is a beer brand that originates from the Netherlands and made quite a few headlines in the year 2017. It introduced ‘Beavertown,’ a cult brewer from the United Kingdom, launched a brand of sparkling water infused with THC through its subsidiary called Lagunitas Brewing, and also closed a deal with the biggest brewery in China worth $300 million! This brand dates back to 1864, and its trademark products include Heineken 0.0, Heineken, and Heineken Light. Besides this, it also manufactures Newcastle Brown Ale (U.K.), Affligem Blonde (Belgium), Murphy Stout (Ireland), and Amstel Light (Amsterdam). That’s not all; Heineken also makes low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer brands Sagres and Buckler.

11. Guinness

As mentioned earlier, the majority of popular beers in America are either made in the country or shipped from Mexico. However, Guinness is the exception to the rule and is a bestseller from Ireland. Brewed by Diageo, Guinness is a dark, rich stout that’s got its loyal share of consumers around the world. It is manufactured in nearly 50 nations and sold in more than 120. Guinness Draught was launched in the year 1959 and was the only beer at that time to use nitrogen rather than carbon dioxide. Today, craft brewers around the world are making different types of nitro beers for the growing beer-drinking population.

12. Yanjing

Originating from China, Yanjing was introduced to the beer industry in 1980 and earned HK$6.64 billion (approximately $850) in that period. It appealed to the younger beer drinkers as a personalized and fashionable beer and steadily grew in sales year after year. It is manufactured by Beijing Enterprises Holdings Limited. Yanjing can best be described as a smooth, refreshing, and clean rice beer. It was also one of the official sponsors of the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008.

13. Dos Equis

This 19^th-century brew was manufactured in Veracruz by a brewmaster from Germany. This is a Mexican beer brand and is known for its refreshing, crisp taste. The lager has the perfect balance of flavors and earthy tones. Dos Equis comes with a mix of hops and malts, but it is the unique yeast that is utilized in the fermentation process that gives the beer its distinct taste.

14. Corona Extra

It would not be wrong to say that Corona Extra is one of the bestselling Mexican beers in the U.S. First produced in 1925, Corona only made its appearance in the market in 1981. Similar to Tecate, this one is usually had with a tinge of tangy lime juice. In fact, in 2018, Earth Produce, a known produce firm, struck a deal for marketing branded limes with Corona Extra.

15. Skol

Crafted by a mix of British, Canadian, Belgian, and Swedish breweries, Skol was meant to be a lager with an international appeal and is currently one of the bestselling beers across the globe. It is produced using pure water, and the highest quality grain-malt and hops. The result? An incomparably refreshing and smooth-tasting beer!

16. Michelob Ultra

Ask all those into fitness and physique in the United States, and they will tell you that Michelob Ultra is their favorite beer. This is light beer made for drinkers who are on a low-calorie and low-carbohydrate diet and is quite enjoyed by them during the hot summer months. Advocates of this beer comment that it does not have that typical fruity flavor, and is rather crisp and refreshing. Michelob’s carbohydrate and calorie content are lower than Bud Light (95 calories in a 12-ounce serving). Its parent company is Anheuser-Busch InBev.

17. Snow

It is likely that you have not ever heard of Snow, especially if you live outside of China, because Snow is almost exclusively sold in the Asian country only. One of the bestsellers, the Chinese lager gave tough competition to Bud Light back in 2008.

18. Carlsberg

Carlsberg is one of the bestselling beers in Russia but is actually of Danish origin. The brand is based in Copenhagen and runs 73 breweries across the world in 33 different nations. As such, it employs over 40,000 people, producing several hundred brands, including the famous Brooklyn lager.

It was in 1875 that J.C. Jacobson started a laboratory for studying malting, fermentation, and brewing. The reputed Carlsberg Foundation was founded in 1876 with the aim of overseeing the laboratory and for supporting scientific research. Today, Carlsberg operates the Carlsberg Research Laboratory, Carlsberg Group, two museums, and three foundations.

19. Shiner Bock

Shiner Bock is perhaps the most consumed beer in the state of Texas, USA. Taking inspiration from German Bock, this beer is prepared with German ingredients, such as hops; however, its execution is very American. The alcohol percentage in Shiner Bock is only 4.4 percent in comparison to German beers that have more than six percent alcohol content. The beer goes perfectly well with several Texas recipes.

20. Hoegaarden

The first time that Hoegaarden was brewed was in 1445. This beer has the typical Belgian Witbier flavors- coriander and orange peel. However, the taste of spice and fruit is not overwhelming; in fact, it goes quite well with pale beer’s wheat body.

There are three primary factors contributing to the taste of Hoegaarden. First, the beer is unfiltered, which is the reason it appears hazy or milky and has a thicker texture. Second is the addition of coriander and orange flavors, as mentioned earlier, and finally, the beer is bottle-conditioned. Now, bottle-conditioned implies that more yeast is added to the beer that has already been fermented before, and this helps create carbonation.

21. Anchor Porter

It is common for certain dark beers to be excessively roasted. But that is not true for this American beer. Anchor Porter tastes smooth, thanks to the blend of caramel, chocolate, pale, and black malts. It was the original porter made in the American style in 1972. Though Anchor Porter takes its inspiration from the famous English Porter, it is brewed using typical American ingredients.

22. Toppling Goliath Brewing Company’s Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout

An enchanting aroma, the richness of mocha, and robust flavor- Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout is nothing less than a treat for beer drinkers. If you like experimenting with stouts, and a little twist of flavor does not scare you, then you will love the creamy texture of Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout, a beer manufactured in the USA. It has a punch of coffee and leaves a delicious maple aftertaste. Some would even call it the perfect dessert beer, as its subtle sweetness might be exactly what you need after a meal.

23. Russian River Pliny The Younger

This hoppy brew is the contribution of Russia, as the name suggests, and its hoppy flavor can be attributed to the fact that it’s a TIPA, rather than a DIPA. This means it has thrice the amount of hops than a regular IPA. Some might think that strong-smelling hops is the overruling characteristic of Pliny The Younger, but when you sip the top-rated beer, you find that the hops subside, and on your tongue, is a greatly refined flavor. The beer has certain fruity overtones too, along with hints of pine and wheatgrass, but it leaves behind a playful and light taste.

24. Trappist Tripel

Trappist beers from Belgium are popular across the world and are known for their consistency and high quality. This pale, in particular, has a light, fruity, and slightly sweet taste and is highly carbonated. It is the local Belgian yeast that contributes to red fruit notes in the flavor and aroma of Trappist Tripel, not any added ingredients. For those of you who didn’t know, the famous snack of ‘French Fries’ comes from Belgium, so why not pay homage to it by pairing it with the Trappist brew?

25. Dark Lord Imperial Stout: Three Floyds

This is a dynamic imperial stout brewed in Russia and is available on just a single day every year. Dark Lord is made with Mexican vanilla, Indian sugar and coffee at a brewery in Indiana. Its ABV content is 15 percent. Do not be fooled by the ‘comic cartoony’ label on the bottle; this beer is quite a catch, literally. Beer advocates rank Dark Lord as one of the best beers across the world, and if you wish to get yourself a six-pack of the stout, you would have to travel all the way to Munster in Indiana!