Neither Guinness nor Budweiser: the most popular beer in the United States is a 101-year-old Mexican lager

There are many reasons why consumers like to enjoy a cold one, but probably topped by the desire to relax at the end of the day. Drinking a beer signals that the job is done, with the first sip of cold foam immediately transporting the drinker to a place of leisure. And what better mental vacation than taking a trip to the beach? It is perhaps precisely this association that made Corona the most popular beer in the United States according to YouGov.

The methodology for this data is fairly basic, with YouGov simply surveying Americans whether they have a positive, negative, or neutral view of the different beers from the different brands featured. According to the poll, Corona has a 60% approval rating across all demographics, followed closely by Guinness (56%) and Budweiser (54%). Breaking things down by age, Millennials and Generation X agree with the overall judgment and put Corona first, but Baby Boomers have a preference for Guinness. There are also slight differences in the separation of responses by gender, with women preferring Corona and men showing a slight preference for Guinness.

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

Vacationers to Mexico may have enjoyed cold bottles of Corona in the mid-1900s, but it wasn’t until 1979 that the beer began appearing on shelves across the United States. From there, it’s 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 label, immediately set it apart from its competitors in terms of appearance. However, the real driving force behind its success likely lies in the mental associations created by its ads.

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 protruding from its thin neck. No other brand has managed to match the magic of either of these unique pairings, with the citrus-garnished style in which it is served and the subconscious suggestion of a tropical vacation in every bottle, creating strong brand positivity not only in the United States, but around the world. According to our ranking of Mexican lagers, Corona Extra is right in the middle of the pack. But as far as popularity goes, it’s a clear winner. Today, Corona is available in 180 countries and has been crowned the world’s most valuable beer brand for three years running.

Corona may not be the best beer in the world. According to some connoisseurs, it is a relatively simple and boring lager. However, given the power of the brand, it is unbeatable. Corona has become synonymous with both the tropics and relaxation as a whole, a duo that has clearly paid off due to its popularity in the United States and beyond.