U.S. has a new king of beer, and it’s Mexican

By Jordan Valinsky | CNN

New York  — America’s top-selling beer is no longer American.

Modelo Especial, the Mexican lager brewed near Mexico City by Constellation Brands, became the top-selling beer in May, overthrowing Bud Light from the top spot it has held for more than two decades. The fall from the top further highlighted how much trouble the Anheuser-Busch brand is in following transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s Instagram post showing off a customized Bud Light can.

For four weeks ending on June 3, Modelo captured 8.4% of US retail beer sales, with Bud Light falling to second place with 7.3%, according to NIQ data given to consulting firm Bump Williams. Dollar sales were equally grim for Bud Light during that period, with sales falling 24.4%, while Modelo’s grew 12.2%.

And the trend doesn’t look to turn in Bud’s favor, the firm said.

“Modelo Especial appears to be increasing its sales growth each week as we get deeper into summer,” Williams told CNN. He added that the Modelo Oro, its new low-carb beer, is off to a strong start following its May debut and further bolstering the brand’s sales.

In recent years, drinkers have been switching their beer preference to Mexican beers and spirits, such as tequila and mezcal. Williams said that a number of factors contributed to Modelo becoming the top-selling beer (at least for May), including strong retailer support, great advertising, eye-catching packaging and a “springboard effect” from Cinco de Mayo going into the summer.