Not Guinness, Not Budweiser: The Most Popular Beer In The US Is A 101-Year-Old Mexican Lager

There are many reasons that consumers like to crack a cold one, but that list is likely topped by the desire to kick back and relax at the end of the day. Popping a beer signals that the work is done, with the first sip of cold suds immediately transporting the drinker to a place of leisure. And what better mental vacation is there than taking a trip to the beach? It may be just this association that hoisted Corona to the position of most popular beer in the U.S. according to YouGov.

The methodology for this data is pretty basic, with YouGov simply surveying Americans about whether they have a positive, negative, or neutral view of various beers from the different brands presented. According to the polling, Corona has a 60% popularity rating across all demographics, followed closely by Guinness (56%) and Budweiser (54%). Breaking things down by age, Millennials and Gen X agree with the overall judgment and put Corona on top, but Boomers have a preference for Guinness. There are slight differences when separating the answers by gender as well, with women preferring Corona and men showing a slender preference for Guinness.

Corona Extra is a Mexican lager that has been produced now for over 100 years. First brewed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Cerveceria Modelo in 1925, this pale lager took the U.S. (and the rest of the world) by storm over the following century. Interestingly, despite the long history of Corona in its home country, the rise of La Cerveza Mas Fina in the U.S. has only happened in the last few decades.

Vacationers to Mexico might have sampled cold bottles of Corona in the mid-1900s, but it wasn't until 1979 that the beer actually began to show up on shelves in the States. From there, it was off to the races, with the brand marketing this offering well from the start. Seemingly small details like Corona's clear glass bottle, with its painted-on label, immediately set it apart from competitors in terms of appearance. The real driving point of its success, however, likely falls to the mental associations created by its advertisements.

Campaigns like "Find Your Beach" cemented the connection between palm trees, fine white sand, calm turquoise water, and a cold bottle of Corona with a lime wedge sticking out of its slender neck. No other brand has quite managed to match the magic of either of those unique associations, with the citrus-topped style in which it is served and the unconscious suggestion of a tropical vacation in every bottle creating strong brand positivity not just the U.S., but across the globe. According to our ranking of Mexican lagers, Corona Extra falls right in the middle of the pack. But as far as popularity goes, it's a clear winner. These days, Corona is available in 180 countries and has been crowned the most valuable beer brand in the world for three consecutive years.

Corona may not be the best beer in the world. According to some connoisseurs, it is a relatively simple, boring lager. Looking at the power of the brand, though, it can't be beat. Corona has become synonymous with both the tropics and relaxation as whole, a duo that has paid clear dividends for its popularity in the U.S. and beyond.