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Top 12 Most Popular Beer Brands In The World in 2024: Chinese Snow vs Bud Light

beerThere is no doubt that beer is one of history’s oldest alcoholic beverages. Historical references suggest that beer has been around since the fifth millennium BC and evidence indicates that it was widely used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Today, beer is an important element of human life. Whether to cap a hectic day or to celebrate a promotion, beer remains a ubiquitous drink that is present in almost every region in the world.

There are so many beer brands in the world today, indicative of how embedded the beverage is to the fabric of human existance. Below is a list of the 12 best selling beer brands from around the world. Some of them may not be easily found in your local supermarket though.

12. Keystone Light (U.S)

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Produced by MillerCoors Brewing, Keystone Light is one of the most consumed beer in the United States. Statistics have shown that the number of Keystone Light consumers rose from 2.46 million in the autumn of 2014 to 2.55 million in the spring of 2015. At the end of 2014, the brand raked in over $466 million in the United States alone.

11. Busch (U.S)

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Brewed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, this top selling pale lager garnered $648.38 million in 2014 in the United States.

10. Coors Light

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Another popular brand from MillerCoors Brewing, Coors Light is among the most heavily consumbed beers in the United States. This is indicated by the huge profit the brand gained in the end of 2014, whopping $2.4 billion.

9. Brahma (Brazil)

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While Brahma is manufactured in Brazil, it is owned by the Anheuser-Busch InBev company, which also owns the Busch and Budweiser brands to mention a few. This Brazilian pale lager owns 1.5% of the global market share.

8. Harbin (China)

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Another international brand now owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, Harbin Beer is a highly popular pale lager in China. Under the management of Anheuser-Busch InBev, Harbin managed to break into European and North American markets, although its market share is small compared to bigger Chinese brands such as Tsingtao.

7. Heineken (Netherlands)

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A very popular brand with a global reach, Heineken has stood the test of time. It is the oldest brand in the top 10 at 142 years and still it remains a heavily consumed beer on a global scale.

6. Yanjing (China)

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Branded as the state beer of China, Yanjing is one of the most consumed pale lagers in its home country. As it is a state-owned brand, Yanjing beers are significantly marketed to Chinese consumers, although it is also exported to other countries.

5. Skol (Brazil)

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With 2.2% of the global beer market, Skol from Brazil continues to make waves in the international scene. Skol was InBev’s leading beer brand prior to the merger with Anheuser-Busch.

4. Budweiser (U.S.)

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Once branded as the “King of Beers”, Budweiser has long been dethroned with the entry of Asian beers into the global scene. Even so, Budweiser remains a top beer brand in the world, still commanding a 2.5% market share (down 7% since 2009).

3. Bud Light (U.S.)

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Sales of Bud Light beer have been declining for the past years but the brand still stands as one of the most popular beer names in the world.

2. Tsingtao (China)

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With about 15% of the global market share, Tsingtao has cemented itself as one of the top beer brands in the world today. The second best selling beer in the world, Tsingtao is the top selling beer in the United States and is sold in 95% of all Chinese restaurants in the country.

1. Snow (China)

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The Chinese brand Snow tops the list with a dominant 21% market share. That said, the Snow brand includes a variety of beers, whereas Budweiser, Bud Light, and Budweiser products are counted as individual brands. This is perhaps one the main reasons why Snow nabbed the top spot as the best selling beer in the world.

How has the craft beer movement impacted the global beer market?

In recent years, the craft beer movement has significantly reshaped the global beer landscape, offering consumers more diverse and unique beer options. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Rising Popularity: Craft beer has surged in popularity, particularly in North America and Europe. It emphasizes quality, flavor, and small-batch production, attracting beer enthusiasts seeking unique and artisanal brews.
  • Consumer Preference: Many consumers are moving away from mass-produced beers in favor of locally brewed craft options that offer distinctive flavors, seasonal varieties, and experimental ingredients.
  • Market Share Growth: While craft beer holds a smaller market share compared to giants like Anheuser-Busch InBev, it continues to grow steadily. In the U.S. alone, craft beer accounts for about 25% of the beer market by retail dollar sales.
  • Impact on Major Breweries: The rise of craft beer has pushed major breweries to adapt by acquiring craft breweries or launching their own craft-style brands to cater to changing consumer preferences.

As craft beer continues to influence the beer industry, its impact on both local economies and global beer trends is expected to grow.

Key Insights

  • Historical Significance: Beer is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages, with references dating back to the fifth millennium BC, and has been a staple in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
  • Global Presence: Beer is a prevalent beverage worldwide, enjoyed in various social contexts from casual gatherings to celebratory events.
  • Market Diversity: The list of the top-selling beer brands highlights a diverse range of beers from different countries, showcasing the global beer market’s reach.
  • Brand Dominance: Anheuser-Busch InBev owns several top brands, indicating its significant influence in the global beer industry.
  • Chinese Market: Chinese brands, particularly Snow and Tsingtao, dominate the market, holding substantial global market shares.
  • Consistency and Growth: Brands like Heineken have maintained their popularity over many years, demonstrating longevity and consistent consumer demand.

FAQ

  1. What are the origins of beer? Beer dates back to the fifth millennium BC and was widely used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It is one of history’s oldest alcoholic beverages.
  2. Which country has the top-selling beer brand? China has the top-selling beer brand, Snow, which holds a dominant 21% market share globally.
  3. Who produces Keystone Light? Keystone Light is produced by MillerCoors Brewing and is one of the most consumed beers in the United States.
  4. Which brand is known as the ‘King of Beers’? Budweiser was once branded as the “King of Beers,” although it has been surpassed by other brands in recent years.
  5. How significant is the Chinese market in the beer industry? The Chinese market is very significant, with brands like Snow and Tsingtao holding substantial global market shares and dominating the beer industry.
  6. What is the oldest brand among the top-selling beers? Heineken, originating from the Netherlands, is the oldest brand among the top-selling beers, with a history spanning 142 years.
  7. How has Bud Light’s market performance been in recent years? Sales of Bud Light have been declining over the past years, but it remains one of the most popular beer brands globally.
  8. Which company owns Brahma and other notable beer brands? Brahma, along with Busch and Budweiser, is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev, a major player in the global beer market.
  9. What is the market share of Skol beer? Skol beer holds 2.2% of the global beer market and continues to be influential internationally.
  10. Are all Snow beers considered a single brand? Yes, Snow is considered a single brand, although it includes a variety of beers, contributing to its top position in the global beer market.
Astrid Eira

By Astrid Eira

Astrid Eira is a resident B2B expert of FinancesOnline, focusing on the SaaS niche. She specializes in accounting and human resource management software, writing honest and straightforward reviews of some of the most popular systems around. Being a small business owner herself, Astrid uses her expertise to help educate business owners and entrepreneurs on how new technology can help them run their operations. She's an avid fan of the outdoors, where you'll find her when she's not crunching numbers or testing out new software.

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1 Comments »
Steve M says:

Tsingtao is the best selling beer in The United States???? Tsingtao might be the best selling beer in Communist China but not in the United States

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