The present-day global beer market is valued at over $623 billion USD. Beer speaks a universal language that unifies drinkers across oceans. It is not therefore surprising, that news outlets annually rush to aggregate the most popular brews from all corners of the world.
International brews like Stella, Heineken, and Guinness find widespread popularity in the U.S. despite differing methodology and varying results. Other beers are less commonly found in the United States but with obvious acclaim the world over. Our list representing Austria, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, offers compelling insight into which beers resonate around the globe.
Beer is a beloved alcoholic beverage that is even a part of the culture in some countries. The Czech Republic is known as the home country of pilsner beer producers and consumers. An average Czech is estimated to consume over 143.3 liters of beer per person every year. Other beer capitals include Germany, Austria, and Ireland.
Moreover, the countries with high consumption of beer are also found to double as beer producers. However, a significant chunk of the world’s popular beers is unknown in the U.S. Nevertheless, here are three different takes on the world’s most popular beers, each with different compilation methods.
- Stella: Currently owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev and distributed all over the world, Stella Artois is an “international pilsner” beer brand. Depending on the location it has either 5% or 5.2% alcohol by volume. Stella originates from the Belgian town of Leuven but is brewed under contract in Australia and the United Kingdom. The Den Horen or the Horn Brewery resided as far back as 1366 and so the Stella Artois logo of a horn and the brand marketing pays homage to the Den Horen name and the date. However, the name Artois was not associated with the brewery until the 18th century when Sebastian Artois, the brewmaster, lent it his name in 1717. With its wonderful floral aroma and well-balanced malt sweetness, alongside crisp hop bitterness, and a soft dry finish, Stella is the perfect beer to pair with food and friends. It is also the winner of the 2019 World Beer Award for the World’s Best International Lager.
- Heineken: It is perhaps one of the best-known beer brands in the world. Heineken is sold in a notable green bottle with a red star. Produced by Heineken International, this Dutch brew is sold in over 170 countries. It is estimated that over 34.3 million hectoliters of Heineken are produced and sold each year. The history of Heineken began with a brewer named Gerard Adriaan Heineken. He convinced his affluent mother to purchase the De Hooiberg brewery in Amsterdam. Heineken was keen on the quality of his brew from day one. He used ‘Yeast A’ and specialized in his fermentation technique to get a crisp and unforgettable taste. The quality of the brew earned beer medals in Paris and Amsterdam. Thanks to its marketing strategies, Heineken ads are notorious for having surprising twists and enjoy worldwide popularity. It has also sponsored and celebrated sporting events like the UEFA Champions League.
- Guinness: Established at St James’ Gate in Dublin by Arthur Guinness in 1759, Guinness Brewery since then has transformed itself from humble beginnings as a run-down brewery into a global success. It is now available in over 100 countries and is one of the oldest beers of Ireland that is easily recognized worldwide. Guinness is recognized as a stout beer. It is a dark beer that is known for its color and smooth and creamy taste. There are a lot of people who see Guinness as just a regular beer. But the truth is, it is ‘Made of More’. Here are some reasons to help you better understand. While most beers contain significant amounts of antioxidants, soluble fiber, and prebiotics to promote the growth of “good” bacteria in your gut, Guinness additionally features a fair amount of (Folate) B vitamin among imported beers that our bodies require to make DNA and other genetic material. The infusion of nitrogen and carbon dioxide gives Guinness Draught its ‘surge and settle’ effect. This results in its smooth and creamy finish. Guinness isn’t just like any average or regular beer. A perfect pint of Guinness takes time to pour. Almost 119.5 seconds to be precise.
- Snow: It is the world’s best-selling beer. Moreover, Snow is interesting because most people outside China have never heard of it. It is a lager beer and has its origins in Shenyang city of Liaoning Province, China. Snow is named for its white foams. More than 101 million hectoliters of Snow beer were sold in 2017. It was twice the amount of Budweiser sold worldwide. This lager beer commands almost 30% of the entire Chinese beer market. However, Snow beer has a relatively short market history. It was launched in 1993 and is mostly produced in Beijing. Although it enjoys massive popularity in North-East China as well, Snow is mainly sold in mainland China. It provides a mere 120 calories and is preferred for being cheap and easy to drink.
- Budweiser: Although it has been witnessing declining sales throughout the country, Budweiser is a popular beer in the United States. It is one of the flagship brands of the Belgian brewing giant AB InBEV. The other one from InBEV is Bud Light. This king of beers was overthrown by Bud Light for the top spot just once among American beer drinkers in 2001. Budweiser is now also being promoted in other markets like Australia, China, and South Africa. AB InBEV ran an expensive 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign to boost the growth of Budweiser in emerging markets. It was designed to improve its sales volume, which was pinned down to 29.2 million hectoliters in 2017.
- Bud Light: It is the light beer flagship of AB InBEV and another top-selling beer in the United States. However, it faces stiff competition from other light beers like Miller Lite and Coors Light. As an American-style light lager beer, Bud Light was launched in the year 1982. With low ABV and low calories, Bud Light has a crisp aroma alongside a fast finish. It makes a favorite among American beer drinkers. The company shipped over 33 million barrels of Bud Light in 2017. About 44.8 million hectoliters of the beverage were sold in the same year. Bud Light is also sold internationally in Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, and Sweden.
- Coors Light: This light beer is notable for its mountain icon that includes two peaks. Coors Light history goes back to 1978 when the Brewing company first produced it. Presently, it is being manufactured in several US states, including Colorado, Georgia, Milwaukee, and Virginia, Coors Light is the second-best-selling beer in the United States.
- Corona: It is another beer brand of AB InBEV, produced by the Cerveceria Modelo Brewery in Mexico. However, Corona beer is available worldwide and sold 28.8 million hectoliters in 2017. Corona was also the top beer imported into the United States during the same year.
- Harbin: This beer is also owned by AB InBEV. It is the oldest beer brand produced in China. Although Harbin was introduced in North American and European markets, you will require more luck finding it in ethnic Chinese supermarkets within the United States. Harbin is a pale lager having an abv of 4.8%. It is presently marketed as a millennial drink in China and has been sponsoring e-Sport events to attract 18-29 years old Chinese males. Moreover, the brand’s disruptive marketing strategies seem to be working as it sold over 29.9 million hectoliters of the brew in 2017.
- Skol: It is the 5th top-selling beer worldwide. Although Skol’s current largest market is in Brazil, it is a Swedish name that alludes to the beer’s Scandinavian inspiration. With equipment sourced from Sweden, the beer was first produced in Alloa, Scotland, by Ind Coope breweries. However, it is now recognized as a Brazilian beer, even though it is produced and marketed by different brands in other regions. About 35.1 million hectoliters of Skol beer were sold in 2017. Moreover, Carlsberg retains the license to manufacture and distribute the beer worldwide except in Africa, and South America. Skol beer is widely available in China, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, and Turkey. Unibra however sells the brew in African countries like Angola, Burundi, Madagascar, and Rwanda.
- Tsingtao: It is a popular beer that enjoys 15% of China’s beer market. Tsingtao’s sales volume was 49 million hectoliters in 2017. Its history stretches back to the short-lived German occupation of the Chinese city Qingdao when the Germans drew mineral water from the Laoshan spring and utilized it for traditional brewing methods to make a pilsner. Now sold in over 70 nations worldwide, Tsingtao is the most popular Chinese beer today. To promote Tsingtao beer and popularize beer culture across the country, the brewery organizes the Qingdao International Beer festival every year.
- Yanjing: Located in China’s capital, this beer is produced by the Beijing Yanjing Brewery. The brewery began production in 1980, and by 2013, it reached a production capacity of 57.1 million hectoliters every year. It is a state-owned brewery and is the 3rd largest brewery in the country. Yanjing beer enjoys popularity in Beijing, Guangxi, and Inner Mongolia.
Do Yourself a Flavour
Notable brands like Budweiser, and Heineken, as well as brews that are almost exclusively sold in China, like Harbin and Snow are some of the most popular beer brands available worldwide. Other world’s most popular beers include the two American favorites, Bud Light and Coors Light.
