Tap beer has a new champion, and it’s still within the Anheuser-Busch InBev family.
Michelob Ultra, one of the list of brands under the Anheuser-Busch InBev umbrella, has the largest share of US draft lines, according to data from DraftLines Technologies.
According to data from DraftLine Technologies, which tracks more than 1 million tap lines, the beer officially overtook Bud Light on November 1 and continued to hold the top spot in December.
“Michelob Ultra becoming the leader in terms of number of tap handles on draft reflects changing consumer preferences. “Michellab Ultra has been on track to surpass Bud Light as the No. 1 brand in draft (by total taps) for several years,” Jennifer Hawke, founder of Draftline Technologies, told Fox Business.
Bud Light’s position is an impressive feat, according to Hawk, who noted that it still has the second-largest share of U.S. draft lines by a wide margin.
An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said its data shows Bud Light’s share is 30% higher than the next closest competitor.
“We are proud to have the top two beers on draft in the US, Michelob Ultra and Bud Light,” the spokesperson said.
Still, Michelob Ultra has been holding its own for years, even before Bud Light sales begin declining in the US in April 2023, following the brand’s controversial partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
“Micheleb Ultra has been many years in the making,” Hawk said.
He added, “Its steady growth reflects broader alignment with health-conscious, premium beer trends – a testament to both Anheuser-Busch’s investment and the evolution of consumer tastes.”
In 2019, Anheuser-Busch said that one of its main priorities was to expand Michelob Ultra, which has been a longtime growth driver for the company.
Underscoring Michelob Ultra’s rise to prominence, it had the second-highest dollar sales in U.S. stores this summer, according to the Bump Williams consulting firm. Based on an analysis of NielsenIQ data, the firm said Michelob Ultra accounted for 7.1% of beer dollar sales, just behind Modelo, which accounted for 9.3% of beer dollar sales in the US.
Analysis of NielsenIQ data shows that Bud Light fell to the No. 3 spot with 7.0%.
While Bud Light is no longer number one on draft, Hawk said the beer is quite flexible, which is “a testament to brand loyalty.”
“Draft beer is one of the few products where brand loyalty still matters and contributes greatly to the overall health of the beer category,” Hawk said.
She is also crediting beer distributors across the country “who invest in their communities,” adding that “these generational family businesses work tirelessly every day to serve their communities and bring excellent beverages to consumers. We do.”
Coors Light, Blue Moon Belgian White, Modelo Especial, Miller Lite and Stella Artois are among the other top beers on draft, according to DraftLine Technologies.
