The Real King of Beer – A Shift in Beer Royalty
Everyone's pretty familiar with Budweiser's claim of being the King of Beers™. The brand has held that title since Adolphus changed it from The Beer of Kings. It has come to refer to the brand's immense sales around the world, rather than anything to do with quality or taste. However, it might be time for the brand to back off their claims – Bud isn't the king of brews any longer, and astute craft beer lovers have realized this fact for quite some time.
The Changing Face of the Beer Industry
Yes, Bud has been de-throned, but the company's successor might not be obvious. This is particularly true given the immense popularity that some craft breweries have generated. For instance, Sam Adams is one of the most popular beer brands in the country and has gained significant traction outside the world of craft brewing. Other companies that have garnered similar success include the likes of Sierra Nevada.
The changing face of the beer industry is obvious when you take a look at brands that have seen successive sales losses year after year. There are some surprisingly large (and still very visible) brand names that fall into this category. Those fallen industry leaders include the names like:
• Michelob (72% sales loss since 2006)
• Michelob Light (64% sales loss since 2006)
• Bud Select (60% sales loss since 2006)
• Milwaukee's Best (53% sales loss since 2006)
• Old Milwaukee (52% sales loss since 2006)
• MGD (51% sales loss since 2006)
• Milwaukee's Best Light (34% sales loss since 2006)
• Budweiser (30% sales loss since 2006)
The fall of these giants should really come as no surprise – they're among the least innovative in terms of taste and body, and among the most "watered-down" brews on the face of the earth. In fact, many of these beers helped to generate America's reputation for bad beer with the rest of the world. Consumers have spoken out against those mega-brewers, though. The falling sale percentages are just one example of how things are changing.
The New Reigning Kings
Budweiser might no longer be the king of all brews, but there's no clear-cut winner. In fact, the title of ruling beer has to be shared by quite a few different brands (some of which are actually part of major brewers like MillerCoors). What are the most popular brews in the nation? Here's a quick look:
• Heineken (Growth of almost 3%)
• Modelo (grow of almost 23%)
• Sam Adams Lager (Growth of 6%)
• Guinness Stout (Growth of almost 17%)
• Newcastle (Growth of almost 7%)
• Sierra Nevada (Growth of almost 16%)
• Blue Moon (Growth of almost 27%)
• Yuengling (Growth of almost 37%)
What can we learn from looking at the numbers above? Actually, quite a few trends can be seen from studying the growth percentages for the new members of the beer world's royal family. For instance, you'll find Yuengling at the top of the list in terms of growth percentage and popularity. The brand reemerged from obscurity, offering quality lager, a good black and tan and a connection with history.
You'll also see Blue Moon ranking pretty highly in the results, even though they're technically part of a "big brewer". For all that, the beer still retains its craft brewing roots, and the regular white variety as well as the brand's regular seasonal brews offer great taste and a very real difference from watered-down beers of yesteryear.
You will find that several beers now ascending in popularity aren't as pale as what Americans were once known for consuming. Guinness and Newcastle are both darker beers (Guinness is a stout, while Newcastle is a brown ale). That speaks volumes about America's changing tastes in terms of beer color, body and flavor. Rather than preferring simple, plain (read as boring) brews like Bud, more and more American drinkers are demanding brews that have real character and bold flavors.
Finally, you'll notice that the beers now becoming popular in the US are more expensive than the outgoing set. A six-pack of Blue Moon will set you back a decent amount more than a six-pack of Budweiser (or Milwaukee's Best, God forbid). That means that American drinkers not only recognize the quality difference in these brands, but are willing to pay more for the chance to drink something that tastes better – that's very good news for craft brewers who have traditionally had to contend with the problem of having a rather high price point for their products.
What's It All Mean?
What does the shift in beer royalty mean for beer drinkers? There's good news and bad (depending on where you stand). The good news is that lovers of craft beers (and those beers listed as growing in popularity) will find that it's easier than ever to get a great pint, whether at the bar, a restaurant or somewhere else. For those who still retain loyalty to the outgoing king of brews, it means that you might have to put up with seeing more ads for beers that you don't like, though you probably won't suffer from any shortage when it comes time to buy your next six-pack.
Perhaps the most interesting meaning is that America's taste buds are finally maturing to something resembling what the nation enjoyed pre-Prohibition. It means that America is finally taking its place on the global stage of great beer enjoyers and producers – the number of American craft beers winning international awards and beginning brewers from other countries coming to the States to study shows this emerging trend quite well.
All in all, it's a pretty exciting time to be a beer lover. More and more unique options will be coming to market, and we'll all be able to enjoy more access to some of the most creative, inventive and tasty creations brewers can concoct. What do you think? Is Bud losing its crown a good thing for the beer world? Do you think there's one new beer to rule them all?
Poto Cervesia,
Dustin Canestorp
The Changing Face of the Beer Industry
Yes, Bud has been de-throned, but the company's successor might not be obvious. This is particularly true given the immense popularity that some craft breweries have generated. For instance, Sam Adams is one of the most popular beer brands in the country and has gained significant traction outside the world of craft brewing. Other companies that have garnered similar success include the likes of Sierra Nevada.
The changing face of the beer industry is obvious when you take a look at brands that have seen successive sales losses year after year. There are some surprisingly large (and still very visible) brand names that fall into this category. Those fallen industry leaders include the names like:
• Michelob (72% sales loss since 2006)
• Michelob Light (64% sales loss since 2006)
• Bud Select (60% sales loss since 2006)
• Milwaukee's Best (53% sales loss since 2006)
• Old Milwaukee (52% sales loss since 2006)
• MGD (51% sales loss since 2006)
• Milwaukee's Best Light (34% sales loss since 2006)
• Budweiser (30% sales loss since 2006)
The fall of these giants should really come as no surprise – they're among the least innovative in terms of taste and body, and among the most "watered-down" brews on the face of the earth. In fact, many of these beers helped to generate America's reputation for bad beer with the rest of the world. Consumers have spoken out against those mega-brewers, though. The falling sale percentages are just one example of how things are changing.
The New Reigning Kings
Budweiser might no longer be the king of all brews, but there's no clear-cut winner. In fact, the title of ruling beer has to be shared by quite a few different brands (some of which are actually part of major brewers like MillerCoors). What are the most popular brews in the nation? Here's a quick look:
• Heineken (Growth of almost 3%)
• Modelo (grow of almost 23%)
• Sam Adams Lager (Growth of 6%)
• Guinness Stout (Growth of almost 17%)
• Newcastle (Growth of almost 7%)
• Sierra Nevada (Growth of almost 16%)
• Blue Moon (Growth of almost 27%)
• Yuengling (Growth of almost 37%)
What can we learn from looking at the numbers above? Actually, quite a few trends can be seen from studying the growth percentages for the new members of the beer world's royal family. For instance, you'll find Yuengling at the top of the list in terms of growth percentage and popularity. The brand reemerged from obscurity, offering quality lager, a good black and tan and a connection with history.
You'll also see Blue Moon ranking pretty highly in the results, even though they're technically part of a "big brewer". For all that, the beer still retains its craft brewing roots, and the regular white variety as well as the brand's regular seasonal brews offer great taste and a very real difference from watered-down beers of yesteryear.
You will find that several beers now ascending in popularity aren't as pale as what Americans were once known for consuming. Guinness and Newcastle are both darker beers (Guinness is a stout, while Newcastle is a brown ale). That speaks volumes about America's changing tastes in terms of beer color, body and flavor. Rather than preferring simple, plain (read as boring) brews like Bud, more and more American drinkers are demanding brews that have real character and bold flavors.
Finally, you'll notice that the beers now becoming popular in the US are more expensive than the outgoing set. A six-pack of Blue Moon will set you back a decent amount more than a six-pack of Budweiser (or Milwaukee's Best, God forbid). That means that American drinkers not only recognize the quality difference in these brands, but are willing to pay more for the chance to drink something that tastes better – that's very good news for craft brewers who have traditionally had to contend with the problem of having a rather high price point for their products.
What's It All Mean?
What does the shift in beer royalty mean for beer drinkers? There's good news and bad (depending on where you stand). The good news is that lovers of craft beers (and those beers listed as growing in popularity) will find that it's easier than ever to get a great pint, whether at the bar, a restaurant or somewhere else. For those who still retain loyalty to the outgoing king of brews, it means that you might have to put up with seeing more ads for beers that you don't like, though you probably won't suffer from any shortage when it comes time to buy your next six-pack.
Perhaps the most interesting meaning is that America's taste buds are finally maturing to something resembling what the nation enjoyed pre-Prohibition. It means that America is finally taking its place on the global stage of great beer enjoyers and producers – the number of American craft beers winning international awards and beginning brewers from other countries coming to the States to study shows this emerging trend quite well.
All in all, it's a pretty exciting time to be a beer lover. More and more unique options will be coming to market, and we'll all be able to enjoy more access to some of the most creative, inventive and tasty creations brewers can concoct. What do you think? Is Bud losing its crown a good thing for the beer world? Do you think there's one new beer to rule them all?
Poto Cervesia,
Dustin Canestorp
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