15 Most Popular Beers in America: Listed & Ranked (2023) (2024)

Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Lydia Martin

America’s love affair with beer is as old as the nation itself. The US beer landscape is incredibly diverse, from the craft beer revolution to the classic light lagers.

From tailgate parties in the heartland to late-night conversations in smoky bars, we’ve had the privilege of experiencing firsthand the most popular beer in America that has captured the nation’s heart and taste buds.

Keep reading and be ready to dive headfirst.

Table of Contents

Top 15 Popular Beers in America (2023 Edition)

1. Bud Light

Average Price:approx. $10/6-pack

Alcohol Content:4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022):$4.5B

Crafted by the Anheuser-Busch brand, Bud Light is a light lager known for its refreshing taste, low-calorie count, and fewer carbs.

America’s favorite beer: a taste that brings us together, one sip at a time.

– Liquor Laboratory

In 2020, Bud Light of Anheuser Busch InBev became the top-selling beer brand in the US due to its natural light taste.

After tasting it multiple times, I am still fond of the crisp, dry, and smooth profile of Bud Light. Also, Bud Light comes in cans, bottles, and draft kegs [1], so you have options.

But whattype of beer is bud light?

2. Michelob Ultra

Average Price:approx. $17/12-pack

Alcohol Content:4.2% ABV

Number of Bottles Sold:119,220,402 barrels (2021)

Michelob Ultra is a low-carbohydrate, low-calorie alcoholic drink from Anheuser-Busch InBev, and if you’re health-conscious, it is a must-try.

According to USA Today, it is a top-selling beer, and the brand’s sales increased thanks to the Super Bowl 57 commercial.

Among the most popular beers, this alcoholic beverage is one of the healthiest beers you can find – undoubtedly one of the reasons why it is one of the top-selling beers in America.

3. Coors Light Beers

Average Price:approx. $15/12-pack

Alcohol Content:4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022):$2.9B

Coors Light from Molson Coors Brewing Company is another top-selling beer in the US that boasts a crisp and smooth taste.

Also known as “Silver Bullet,” Coors Light gives a refreshing flavor, and we suggest drinking Coors Light cold for a better experience.

Based on USA Today, Coors Light is a light beer with billion-dollar sales, and beer sales continuously rise every year to date basis.

Read: Recommended Beers For Those Who Don’t Like Beers

4. Miller Lite

Average Price:approx. $15/12-pack

Alcohol Content:4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022):$2.9B

Miller Lite, an American light beer from the parent company MillerCoors (Miller brewing company), is known for its smooth and creamy taste.

It is a top-selling beer (billion-dollar sales) because it has fewer calories than some of the most popular beers like Corona Extra, Stella Artois,

5. Anheuser-Busch

Average Price:approx. $12/12-pack

Alcohol Content:4.1% ABV

Revenue (2022):$57.786B

Another light beer from Anheuser-Busch is Busch Light, which we like due to its fewer calories with a refreshing taste.

Among the light beers from the brand, Busch Light is close to Bud Light. Busch Light and Bud Light have light and subtle sweetness, perfect for hot summer days.

6. Natural Light Beer

Average Price:approx. $15/18-pack

Alcohol Content:4.2% ABV

Number of Bottles Sold:81,313,091 barrels (2021)

Also known as Natty Light, this light beer from the parent company Anheuser Busch has a natural light flavor comparable to Busch Light, Miller Lite, Corona Extra, and Coors Light (from Molson Coors brewing company).

We like the unique notes on this beer – bready, grainy, dry, and light. It is one of the most popular beer brands with a medium body and right alcohol concentration.

7. Bud Specialty

Average Price:approx. $10/6-pack

Alcohol Content:5% ABV

Revenue (2022):$5.6B

Bud Specialty beer brand is another top-selling beer from Anheuser Busch InBev.

In 2020, Budweiser’s sales (off-premise consumption) reached about $717.8 million.

Its smooth taste and crisp profile make it an official Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association beer.

So,how tall is your Budweiser bottle?

8. Yuengling

Average Price:approx. $10/6-pack

Alcohol Content:4.5% ABV

Revenue (2022):$162.8M

Yuengling is one of the most famous beers in America, crafting delicious craft beer [2]. In fact, Yuengling is one of the oldest in the beer industry – its parent company began operating in 1829.

Actually, Yuengling Traditional Lager is our first beer in this brand. We like the malty and bready notes, along with its dry character.

We prefer Yuengling over Blue Moon or Pabst Blue Ribbon (from the Pabst Brewing Company) regarding flavor balance and character.

9. Samuel Adams

Average Price:approx. $20/12-pack

Alcohol Content:5% ABV

Revenue (2022):$447M

This Boston lager is flavor-forward and full-bodied. So, if you want some complexity, Samuel Adams is a great craft beer choice.

“If you’re looking for beer, what beer might come to mind first, or what pops out to you on the shelf in the store? It’s the one that shares a name with the topic that you’re hearing most about.”

– Dawn Lerman, Marketing Professor & Executive Director at Fordham University

Sam Adams is one of the top-selling beers in America for its full and refreshing taste.

The ABV is a little higher than the standard, giving the booze – perfect for drinkers looking to deviate from the usual lighter version.

10. Great Lakes

Average Price:approx. $11/6-pack

Alcohol Content:6.5% ABV

Revenue (2022):$648.8M

Great Lakes, from the parent company Great Lakes Brewing Company, is well-known for its hoppy character.

We like how this beer is easy to drink with a mild aroma. It tastes malty but not too sweet with spice, fruitcake, grain, and cereal.

Overall, Great Lakes beer is an excellent beverage that’ll leave you craving more. It is our best alternative if we run out of Michelob Ultra.

11. Guinness

Average Price:approx. $10/4-pack

Alcohol Content:4.2% ABV

Revenue (2022): $8.7M

The original Guinness Draught Stout is made with nitrogen. This beer looks heavy and dark. However, it tastes incredibly smooth and flavorful, with chocolate, caramel, coffee, and roasted barley notes.

Guinness beerhas been around for a long time and is one of the best-tasting we’ve tried so far.

Besides, we like that this drink only has 126 calories – fewer than a typical light-lager beer.

12. Corona

Average Price:approx. $20-$24/12- to 18-pack

Alcohol Content:around 4% ABV

Revenue (2022):$7B

Modelo’s Corona beer is a refreshing Mexicanlager often paired with lime wedges. Despite being Mexican style, it’s a best-selling beer in the US – available at most grocery stores.

This pilsner-style beer is one of the competitive beer brands in the beer industry.

Compared to other beers, Corona Light and Extra have low-calorie counts (99 kcal and 149 kcal, respectively).

13. Heineken

Average Price:approx. $20/12-pack

Alcohol Content:5% ABV

Revenue (2022):$6.9B

Although it’s sometimes called a skunky-smelling brew, this is still one of the most popular lager beers worldwide.

This beer has a crisp and refreshing bite with a distinct aroma, which we’ve never encountered in other beers.

What’s funabout Heinekenis its hop profile tricks drinkers into believing it’s a green beer.

14. Lagunitas

Average Price:approx. $12/6-pack

Alcohol Content:6.2% ABV

Revenue (2022):$75M

From the parent company Heineken International, Lagunitas is a trend for high-alcoholic beer drinkers, with 6.2% ABV.

This Indian Pale Ale (IPA) [3] has bitter and citrus notes alongside hints of floral and hops.

One of the reasons Lagunitas is popular in the US is its highly balanced and drinkable profile.

We find the hops almost similar to

15. White Claw

Average Price:approx. $21/12-pack

Alcohol Content:5% ABV

Number of Bottles Sold:29.1 million cases (2019)

White Claw Hard Seltzer, from the parent company Mark Anthony Group, blends water, gluten-free alcohol, and fruit.

What’s more interesting about this beer brand is its fourrefreshing White Claw flavors: Ruby Grapefruit, Black Cherry, Raspberry, and Natural Lime.

Besides, each pack contains around 100 calories and 2g of sugar, which is lower than most beers like Anheuser Busch Ice Pale Lager (171 kcal) and Pabst Blue Ribbon (110 kcal). Butwhat alcohol is in White Claw?

** Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary per store.

FAQs

Are craft beers more popular than traditional American beers?

Craft beers are becoming more popular than traditional beers nowadays.

In 2021, the volume sales of craft beers improved by 8% to 24.8 million barrels, based on the Brewers Association’s [4] beer marketer’s insights.

What factors contribute to the popularity of beer brands in America?

The biggest factors contributing to beer brands’ popularity in America are taste and quality.

According to research, over 91% of drinkers prefer craft beers over big-name brands, and 86% stated they would pay more for such beverages even if there were cheaper options.

As an avid enthusiast and expert in the world of beer, my extensive knowledge spans various facets of the brewing industry, from the rich history of American beer to the nuanced characteristics of popular brands. The information I provide is not only based on comprehensive research but also on personal experiences and tastings that have deepened my understanding of the diverse beer landscape.

Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about the Top 15 Popular Beers in America (2023 Edition):

Bud Light:
- Crafted by Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light is a light lager known for its refreshing taste, low-calorie count, and fewer carbs.
- Top-selling beer in the US in 2020, with a crisp, dry, and smooth profile.
Michelob Ultra:
- Anheuser-Busch's low-carb, low-calorie beer, Michelob Ultra, gained popularity, especially after a Super Bowl 57 commercial.
- Considered one of the healthiest beers with 4.2% ABV.
Coors Light:
- From Molson Coors Brewing Company, Coors Light is a top-selling beer in the US known for its crisp and smooth taste.
- Referred to as the "Silver Bullet," it is recommended to be consumed cold for an optimal experience.
Miller Lite:
- Miller Lite, from MillerCoors, is an American light beer with a smooth and creamy taste.
- A top-selling beer with fewer calories than some other popular brands.
Anheuser-Busch:
- Busch Light, another light beer from Anheuser-Busch, is praised for its refreshing taste and lower calorie content.
- Busch Light and Bud Light share light and subtle sweetness, suitable for hot summer days.
Natural Light Beer:
- Also known as Natty Light, this light beer from Anheuser Busch has a natural light flavor with unique notes – bready, grainy, dry, and light.
- Considered one of the most popular beer brands with a medium body and the right alcohol concentration.
Bud Specialty:
- Bud Specialty, another offering from Anheuser Busch InBev, is a top-selling beer known for its smooth taste and crisp profile.
- Official beer of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.
Yuengling:
- Yuengling, a renowned beer brand in America, is known for crafting delicious craft beer since its establishment in 1829.
- Yuengling Traditional Lager, with malty and bready notes, is favored over other brands for its flavor balance and character.
Samuel Adams:
- Samuel Adams, a Boston lager, is flavor-forward and full-bodied, offering complexity and a higher ABV of 5%.
- Considered one of the top-selling beers in America for its full and refreshing taste.
Great Lakes:
- Great Lakes Brewing Company produces Great Lakes beer, known for its hoppy character and easy-drinking nature.
- The beer has a mild aroma, malty but not too sweet, with spice, fruitcake, grain, and cereal notes.
Guinness:
- The original Guinness Draught Stout, made with nitrogen, has a heavy and dark appearance but tastes smooth and flavorful.
- Notably, it has only 126 calories, fewer than a typical light-lager beer.
Corona:
- Modelo’s Corona beer, a Mexican lager, is a best-selling beer in the US and often enjoyed with lime wedges.
- Despite its Mexican style, it competes well in the US market, offering low-calorie options.
Heineken:
- Heineken, a popular lager worldwide, is known for its crisp and refreshing bite, with a distinct aroma.
- Despite occasional remarks about its smell, it remains one of the most popular lager beers globally.
Lagunitas:
- Lagunitas, under the parent company Heineken International, is a high-alcohol beer with 6.2% ABV, known for its balanced and drinkable profile.
- Lagunitas IPA has bitter and citrus notes alongside hints of floral and hops.
White Claw:
- White Claw Hard Seltzer, from the Mark Anthony Group, is a unique blend of water, gluten-free alcohol, and fruit.
- Known for its refreshing flavors, low-calorie content, and popularity, with various flavor options.

FAQs:

Craft Beers vs. Traditional American Beers:
- Craft beers are gaining popularity over traditional beers, with a reported 8% increase in volume sales of craft beers in 2021.
Factors Contributing to Beer Brands' Popularity in America:
- Taste and quality are the primary factors contributing to the popularity of beer brands in America.
- Research indicates that over 91% of drinkers prefer craft beers, willing to pay more for quality beverages.