Modelo Especial Surpasses Bud Light as America's Top Beer, Sales Data Reveals

In a stunning turn of events for the beer industry, Modelo Especial has claimed the number one spot as the top-selling beer in America, surpassing long-standing industry leader Bud Light. Recent sales data released by Constellation Brands, the U.S. distributor for Modelo Especial, shows a remarkable shift in consumer preferences.

According to the figures from Circana, Modelo Especial's store sales reached an impressive $333 million during the four weeks ending May 28. This represents a substantial increase of 15.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, Bud Light experienced a significant decline in sales, amounting to $297 million, reflecting a sharp drop of 22.8 percent.

Additional sales data acquired by Newsweek through industry consultancy firm Bumps Williams Consulting, using NielsenIQ figures, further solidifies Modelo Especial's rise to prominence. The week ending May 27 saw Modelo Especial achieve sales of approximately $341.9 million, surpassing Bud Light, which recorded sales of about $298.6 million.

While Bud Light's recent performance may show a setback, it's important to note that NielsenIQ's longer-term analysis indicates Bud Light remains the leading beer brand in America thus far in 2023. Their data reveals that Bud Light's sales value accounted for 9.1 percent of the total market, compared to Modelo Especial's 8 percent, signifying a significant gap of several hundred million dollars.

Grupo Modelo, the makers of Modelo Especial, has been fully owned by AB InBev, the brewer's parent company, since 2013. However, in order to comply with U.S. regulations and maintain competition in the American beer market, AB InBev was compelled to sell Modelo's U.S. business.

Recent setbacks for Bud Light have been attributed to a conservative-led boycott initiated after the brand collaborated with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Mulvaney's Instagram video on April 1, where she showcased a Bud Light can personalized with her own face, stirred controversy and resulted in a decline in Bud Light sales. Despite Anheuser-Busch dismissing the backlash as unfounded, the repercussions have been substantial, with the company losing nearly $25 billion in market value since the Mulvaney video surfaced.

The most recent industry figures, provided by Bumps Williams Consulting, indicate that Bud Light experienced a significant sales drop of 23.9 percent and a volume decrease of 27.8 percent year-on-year during the week ending May 27. While this decline is substantial, it is worth noting that it was less severe than the previous week's reported figures, which revealed a 25.7 percent sales decrease and a 29.5 percent volume decrease. According to NielsenIQ data cited by Bank of America, Bud Light sold 6.7 million fewer cases during the months of April and May this year compared to the same period last year.

As Modelo Especial continues to make strides in the American beer market, the landscape of beer sales is undergoing a notable transformation. With shifting consumer preferences and evolving market dynamics, it remains to be seen if Modelo Especial's rise will be sustained or if Bud Light will reclaim its long-standing position as the top-selling beer brand in America.