What’s America’s Favorite Beer Brand?

No drink is as beloved in America as beer (except, perhaps, Coca-Cola). Opening a cold one after work, to watch a game or to spend time with friends is a time-honored tradition. But Americans don't love beer brands equally.

A 2023 study uncovered the preferred beer in each state. The results show that the country is a little obsessed with light beers and that one brand rules above all, being favored in almost half of the states. 

These are the top 11 favorite beer brands in America. Did your brand of choice make the cut?

10. Busch (Tie)

Parent brand: Anheuser-Busch

No. of states where it’s favored: 0.5

*Note: Data comes from Grillio’s “Most Popular Beer in Every State” report.

Bottom Line: Busch

Missouri loves Busch and Natural Light equally, giving the former half a point on this ranking. Given that the brand is based in St. Louis, we can't say its popularity is surprising.

Is it an amazing beer? We hardly think so, but it definitely beats all the light beers that have somehow won the hearts of Americans.

 

10. Budweiser (Tie)

Parent brand: Anheuser-Busch

No. of states where it’s favored: 0.5

Bottom Line: Budweiser

Along with Miller Light, Budweiser is Wyoming's favorite brand. It's affordable, easy to find and has a slight hint of taste.

People buy Budweiser when they want to get drunk and don't care too much about quality — which is completely fair.

8. Michelob Ultra (Tie)

Parent brand: Anheuser-Busch

No. of states where it’s favored: 1

Bottom Line: Michelob Ultra

What we like about Michelob Ultra is that it's not afraid to actually taste like something. And Tennessee agrees with us. The state's residents are used to bourbon, so it makes sense that they'd want a beer that isn't a small step above hard seltzers.

This state knows alcohol. Trust it.

8. Coors (Tie)

Parent brand: Molson Coors

No. of states where it’s favored: 1

Bottom Line: Coors

Tennessee's southern neighbor, Alabama, prefers Coors instead.

Overall, this is a decent brand, and we respect the state for choosing this over the more popular watered-down version other states seem to love.

6. Miller Lite (Tie)

Parent brand: Molson Coors

No. of states where it’s favored: 1.5

Bottom Line: Miller Lite

Ah, we're now entering firmly into light beer territory. And you've probably guessed by now that we're not the biggest fans. 

Miller Lite tied with Budweiser for Wyoming's love, but also won Wisconsin over. We have to admit that we would've assumed a harder beer would be better for cold weather, but there must be something about this brand that just goes well with pretty nature and furious winters.

6. Natural Light (Tie)

Parent brand: Anheuser-Busch

No. of states where it’s favored: 1.5

Bottom Line: Natural Light

We're not going to sugarcoat this: Natural Light is probably the worst beer on this list. Yet, it somehow ties with Busch in Missouri and comes out on top in Louisiana.

But if you like light beer, there are plenty of better options than this one.

5. Coors Light

Parent brand: Molson Coors

No. of states where it’s favored: 3.5

Bottom Line: Coors Light

Alaska, Minnesota and Montana would all choose Coors Light over other beers. South Dakota can't decide if it likes this or Bud Light better (not that there's much of a difference).

Whatever our personal feelings about this brand are, its success and wide appeal are undeniable.  

4. Keystone Light

Parent brand: Molson Coors

No. of states where it’s favored: 4.5

Bottom Line: Keystone Light

Keystone Light's cool icy mountain logo appeals to the people of Idaho, Iowa, Kansas and Utah the most. Arkansas puts it in the same place as Corona. Its main selling point is that it's cheap. Really cheap. But this is because it has corn syrup, which you don't want in a beer.

Its taste is also so generic that one of the main questions people ask on Google about Keystone Light is whether it's actually the same as Coors Light. Both brands deny this, but your tastebuds won't know the difference.

2. Modelo Especial (Tie)

Parent brand: Grupo Modelo

No. of states where it’s favored: 7

Bottom Line: Modelo Especial

Now we're talking. Modelo Especial is a Pilsner, meaning it's light and refreshing but still tastes good. Its signature bottles also help to set it apart from other beers.

Seven states seem to agree with us: California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

2. Bud Light (Tie)

Parent brand: Anheuser-Busch

No. of states where it’s favored: 7

Bottom Line: Bud Light

Tying with Modelo Especial, Bud Light is the indisputable king of light beers. Whether this is because of its impeccable track record of Super Bowl commercials or because it really is the best will remain a mystery.

This is the go-to brand for Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio and West Virginia. Michigan is torn between it and Corona, while South Dakota likes it as much as it likes Coors Light.

1. Corona

Parent brand: Grupo Modelo

No. of states where it’s favored: 23.5

Bottom Line: Corona

The people have spoken, and their tastes have not disappointed. None of all America's favorite beer brands come close to Corona's absolute hold on the country. A total of 23.5 states chose this as their beer of choice. 

Sure, it's light. And, sure, it's not the best beer in the world. But there's something about it that's just incredibly refreshing. Is it that it pairs so well with a lime wedge? Is it that we instantly connect it with lying on a beach? Perhaps. But this is also simply the best-tasting beer on this particular list.