Study: The Most Popular Beers in America 2023

Beer has always been popular in the United States and a recent Gallup study shows that 39% of Americans prefer beer as their favorite alcohol, but what are the most popular beers in America 2023? We have the answer here, followed by an in-depth analysis of the results…

YouGov recently made a survey where they asked Americans what their favorite beer was and what brands they heard of. We took a deep look at the results and tried to analyze why some beers are more popular than others and what the differences are between age groups and gender. Here are the key findings:

Popularity of brands:

• Overall most popular beer brand is Guinness
• Both men and women prefer Guinness
• Baby Boomers have Miller as their favorite beer
• Generation X likes Budweiser
• Millennials have the most positive opinion of Guinness

*Popularity in this survey is measured by the % of people who have a positive opinion of a beer.

Fame of brands:

• Heineken, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Corona are all equally well-known (97%) among men.
• 98% of all women have heard of Bud Light.
• Among Baby Boomers, 100% have heard of Budweiser and Coors.
• Budweiser tops the list of most famous beers among Generation X
• For Millennials the most famous beer is Corona.

*Fame is defined by the % of people who have heard of a beer.

The Most Popular Beers in America 2023 – A Closer Look at the Results

Now let´s dig deeper into gender and age groups to see what their top 10 most popular beers are:

Most Popular Beers Among All Adults

The top 3 most popular beers are Guinness, Corona, and Budweiser, followed by Heineken, Stella Artois, Miller, Coors, Miller High Life, Blue Moon, and Samuels Adams.

The title for America’s most famous beer brand is a tie between Bud Light, Budweiser, and Corona – all three with a brand recognition of 97%.

Most Popular Beers Among Men

Among men, the most popular beer brand is Guinness, followed by Stella Artois, Budweiser, Miller High Life, Heineken, Corona, Coors Light, Modelo, Coors, and Modelo Especial.

The brands with the highest brand recognition among men are; Heineken, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Corona (97%).

Most Popular Beers Among Women

Guinness and Corona top the popularity list with women, followed by Budweiser, Heineken, Stella Artois, Blue Moon, Corona Light, Miller, Redd´s Apple Ale, and Coors.

The three brands with the highest brand recognition are; Bud Light (98%), Budweiser (97%), and Corona (97%).

Most Popular Beers Among Baby Boomers

With Baby Boomers, the top beer is Miller, followed by Guinness, Heineken, Budweiser, Corona, Samuel Adams, Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, Blue Moon, and Busch.

If we look at beer fame in this group, we have both Budweiser and Coors with brand recognition of 100%.

Most Popular Beers Among Generation X

Popularity vise, Budweiser takes the top spot, followed by Guinness, Stella Artois, Corona, Coors, Samuel Adams, Miller High Life, Corona Extra, Red Stripe, and Blue Moon.

Budweiser is the most famous in this group (100%), tightly followed by Corona Light, Bud Light, and Coors at 98%.

Most Popular Beers Among Millennials

Guinness takes the top spot and in second place we find Redd´s Apple Ale, with its first top 3 position. These two are followed by Modelo, Corona Light, Heineken, Miller High Life, Corona, Stella Artois, Blue Moon, and Miller Lite.

The top three beer brands with the highest brand recognition in the millennials group are; Corona (96%), Bud Light (95%), and Budweiser (94%).

Image source for all images: YouGov

Summary and Analysis:

The YouGov survey presented fascinating insights into beer preferences among different demographic groups in the United States in 2023. The data reveals the most popular beer brands and those with the highest recognition, offering an interesting perspective on American beer consumption.

Most popular beers

The most popular beer brand overall is Guinness, which also happens to be the favorite among both men and women, as well as millennials. However, baby boomers and Generation X show a preference for Miller and Budweiser, respectively. The high popularity of Guinness, an Irish stout, showcases a broad acceptance of international beer varieties across the US.

Most famous beers

Looking at brand recognition or “fame”, Bud Light, Budweiser, and Corona lead the charge with almost universal recognition across the board. The only exception is among baby boomers, where Budweiser and Coors have 100% recognition.

Key Takeaways:

1. Guinness, an Irish stout, is the most popular beer brand overall in the US, indicating a high acceptance of darker, robust beers.
2. Domestic American beers such as Budweiser, Miller, and Coors still maintain significant popularity and brand recognition, particularly among older generations.
3. Mexican beer brands, Corona and Modelo, also rank high in popularity and recognition, reflecting the influence of Mexican culture on American drinking habits.

Beer Type and Country of Origin Analysis:

The beers listed range from lagers (Budweiser, Miller, Coors), stouts (Guinness), pilsners (Stella Artois), Belgian-style wheat beers (Blue Moon), to fruit beers (Redd’s Apple Ale). This variety indicates that Americans enjoy a wide spectrum of beer types, with no clear dominance of any particular beer style.

The origin of these beers is also quite diverse, including American (Budweiser, Miller, Coors, Blue Moon, Samuel Adams), Irish (Guinness), Dutch (Heineken), Belgian (Stella Artois), and Mexican (Corona, Modelo) beers. This demonstrates an international taste in beer consumption among Americans, likely influenced by cultural exposure and marketing.

*Samuel Adams offers a variety of beer styles, which is why “Various Styles” is listed under Type of Beer for this brand.

Generational and Gender Differences:

There are noticeable differences in beer preferences between different age groups and genders. For instance, baby boomers and Generation X lean more towards traditional American brands (Miller and Budweiser), while millennials show a broader range of preferences, from the stout Guinness to the fruit beer Redd’s Apple Ale.

Women also seem to appreciate a diverse range of beers, with Guinness and Corona topping the list, followed by various other brands. Men, on the other hand, show a stronger preference for Guinness and other robust beers like Stella Artois and Budweiser.

What possible trends can we see from this survey?

1. Craft and Artisanal Movement: The popularity of brands like Guinness, Blue Moon, and Samuel Adams, which are often associated with higher quality and artisanal production, is indicative of a broader trend toward craft beers. These beers offer a wide range of flavors, styles, and experiences that appeal to consumers seeking diversity and unique drinking experiences.
2. International Influence: The popularity of international brands such as Corona, Heineken, Guinness, and Stella Artois underscores the growing global influence on the American beer market. It suggests an expanding palate among American consumers, who are increasingly open to trying beers from different countries and cultures.
3. Health-Conscious Choices: The presence of light beers like Corona Light and Miller Lite in the list reflects a trend towards more health-conscious choices. As consumers become more aware of their health and calorie intake, beers with fewer calories and lower alcohol content become more appealing.
4. Flavored Beers: The success of Redd’s Apple Ale points to a growing trend of flavored beers. These beers, often fruit-flavored or infused with other unique flavors, can attract a demographic that may not typically consume traditional beers. This trend aligns with the rise of flavored spirits and hard seltzers.
5. Classic Brands Remain Strong: Despite emerging trends and evolving consumer preferences, classic American brands such as Budweiser, Coors, and Miller still hold strong positions. This suggests that, while novelty and diversity are appreciated, there is still a solid consumer base that values familiarity and tradition.
6. Generational Preferences: The survey indicates varied preferences across different generations. Millennials appear more open to trying different types of beers, including craft and flavored options, while Baby Boomers and Generation X seem to lean more towards traditional, well-established brands. This suggests that age is a significant factor in beer preference, likely influenced by a mix of lifestyle, values, and cultural context.
7. Gender Differences: Men and women have different favorites, with women showing a broader range of preferences. This might indicate that female consumers are more experimental with their choices, or that certain brands have succeeded in marketing their products to appeal more to women.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, beer preferences in America in 2023 are quite diverse, influenced by a myriad of factors such as age, gender, cultural influences, and marketing. It’s a dynamic landscape that offers intriguing insights into American drinking habits.