10 Best Selling Beer Brands In The World In 2017

The 10 Best Selling Beer Brands In The World In 2017 appear to be headed for continued growth. According to a 2015 report from Allied Market Research, the global beer market will generate $688.4 billion in sales by 2020, achieving an expected CAGR of 6% between 2015 and 2020. Hence, even small shifts in market share for beer brands is of high significance. And if you’re one of the 10 Best Selling Beer Brands In The World In 2017? Well, you pretty much have a license to print money.

However, despite the expected strong growth, 2016 didn’t actually live up to expectations, as global beer consumption actually fell by 1.3%. Several European nations, including France and Germany, bucked this trend, while the Asian and African markets also showed strong growth. In Asia, China is a fast growing hotbed for beer consumption and the Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for nearly 30% of global beer consumption by 2020. That spike will be evident in the forthcoming list, as several obscure (to many Westerners) Chinese beers have vaulted into the 10 Best Selling Beer Brands In The World In 2017. Aside from local brands, other popular beers in China include Coors Light, Heineken, Budweiser, and Brahma (the Brazilian beer, not the Hindu god).

Some non-Chinese brands are also enjoying their fair share of growth in the market. Anheuser Busch Inbev NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD)’s revenue grew by 2.8% in the third quarter of 2016 in terms of organic growth, to $11.11 billion. When we look at the leading brands of the company like Corona, Stella Artois and Budweiser, revenue for those names grew by 8.7% in the quarter. That strong showing was powered by Corona, with growth of 14.8%, while Stella Artois grew by 12.2%, and Budweiser by 4.8%. Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) also had a strong fiscal third quarter, with sales growing by 10% to $1.81 billion. EPS of $1.96 also crushed estimates and was 38% higher than a year earlier. On the other hand, Molson Coors Brewing Co (NYSE:TAP) endured a tough quarter, with net sales sliding to $947.6 million from $1.02 billion quarter-over-quarter.

9. Brahma

Brazil’s finest beer is Brahma, with two specific variations called Brahma (4.3% alcohol) and Brahma Chopp (5% alcohol). The brand was founded in 1888 by Companhia Cerejaria Brahma, and is now owned by Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD). The beer’s taste is that of a classic lager with a strong body and neutral aroma.

8. Harbin

Harbin holds 1.5% of the global beer market, thanks primarily to its huge presence in China, where the company ranks as one of the oldest breweries. Harbin is a light, refreshing lager with 4.8% alcohol, and is most popular in North East China. As with Brahma, the brand is now owned by Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD), along with many other popular beer brands on this list.

7. Heineken

Seventh spot goes to Heineken, which also has a 1.5% share of the global beer market. Founded in 1864 in Holland by Gerard Heineken, the brand has since grown into one of the leading premium lagers on the market and one of the most popular import beers in North America. Its light, slightly sweet taste has contributed to its popularity, as has the brand’s marketing, with the company having won the Creative Marketer of the Year Award twice. Its latest campaign encourages people to consume less Heineken (oddly enough).

6. Yanjing

Yanjing is another Chinese brand to make the list, holding down sixth spot with 1.9% of the global beer market. Founded in 1980, the brand became the official beer of China (who knew countries had official beers) in 1995, which has surely helped contribute to its success. The brand from Beijing Yanjing Brewery Company comes with a pale and thick head of white foam, and has a flavor that is faintly bittersweet.

5. Skol

Skol was created through a joint effort by Canadian, British, Belgian and Swedish breweries in 1964, with the aim of creating a brand that could be successful globally. Clearly, that effort has paid off, as half-a-decade later, it ranks fifth among the top beer brands globally, with market share of 2.1%. Surprisingly (or perhaps because of), it’s been successful despite just 2.8% alcohol content, which ranks it as one of the weakest popular beers in the world. It is yet another brand that is now owned by Anheuser Busch Inbev SA NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD).

4. Budweiser

Anheuser Busch Inbev NV (ADR) (NYSE:BUD) also makes Budweiser (of course), its famous American lager. It is the top selling beer brand in the U.S and has a massive overseas footprint as well. This is another brand which was helped by iconic advertising, including its “wassup” commercials. Unfortunately for BUD, it can’t fully take advantage of its brand’s cachet in Europe, where the Budweiser trademark is owned by Czech brand Budejovicky Budvar. Budweiser accounts for 2.3% of the global beer market.

3. Bud Light

Budweiser’s little brother, Bud Light, is one of the top-three beer brands in the world, outranking Budweiser itself thanks to its greater share of the international market, and that despite not being brought to the market until 1982, more than a century after Budweiser. Bud Light has less calories and less alcoholic content than Budweiser, making it the ideal alternative for those who are trying to stay healthy while still indulging themselves now and then. Bud Light has global market share of 2.5%.

2. Tsingtao

Two Chinese beers are all that stood in Bud’s way of dominance of the global beer market, starting with Tsingtao, which has 2.8% market share. The brand, which is the top selling Chinese brand in the U.S, was actually founded in Hong Kong by Germans in 1916. As China’s disposable income and appetite for beer has grown, so too has Tsingtao’s market share; it’s gained at least 0.1 percentage points in global market share annually since 2009. The pilsner with a 4.7% ABV also has an unpasteurised version under the brand name Tsingtao Draft Beer.

1. Snow

Snow is by far the most popular beer in China, which also propels it to the top of the most popular beers in the world list, which it dominates with 5.4% share of the global market, more than double that of every other brand not named Tsingtao. Its success shows the rapid growth of the Chinese market, as it ranked just 11th in 2005, with sales having grown by 573% since then. Its success is partly due to its entry-level price point, with it selling for just 9 renminbi (about $1.31) per liter (by comparison, low-priced beers in other parts of the world sell for about twice that amount, or more).

That wraps up the list of the 10 best-selling beer brands in the world in 2017. Did your favorite make the list? Or are the best selling beers just swill for the masses? Let us know in the comments.

Disclosure: None