Michelob Ultra has surpassed Bud Light as the most popular draft beer in U.S. bars, according to new data from Draftline Technologies, a software company that supports beverage distributors. This shift in preference marks a significant change in America’s taprooms, with Michelob Ultra now leading in the number of “tap handles” across venues.
Jennifer Hauke, the founder of Draftline Technologies, stated that Michelob Ultra’s rise to the top had been a long time coming. “The rise of Michelob Ultra as the leader by number of tap handles on draft reflects shifting consumer preference,” Hauke said in an emailed statement. “Michelob Ultra has been on a path to surpass Bud Light as the #1 brand on draft for a number of years. The news is Michelob Ultra did it — we have a new #1.”
The shift comes roughly 18 months after Bud Light lost its title as the top-selling beer overall to Modelo Especial. In July 2024, Michelob Ultra also surpassed Bud Light as the second-best-selling beer, pushing Bud Light to third place.
Several factors have contributed to this decline in Bud Light’s dominance. The beer brand faced intense backlash in 2023 following a collaboration with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender activist and influencer. The partnership sparked a boycott campaign from some conservative groups, while others criticized Anheuser-Busch’s response to the controversy. Mulvaney herself voiced discontent with the company’s handling of the situation, stating in a June 2023 TikTok video that “for a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse in my opinion than not hiring a trans person at all.”
Meanwhile, Michelob Ultra’s rise is also attributed to changing consumer preferences, as the beer aligns with health-conscious and premium beer trends. “It’s important to note that Michelob Ultra’s rise has been years in the making,” Hauke emphasized.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the parent company of both Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, did not respond directly to Draftline’s findings but expressed pride in having two of the most popular draft beers. A company spokesperson told CNN that Bud Light remains “more than 30% bigger than the next closest draft competitor.”
Draftline Technologies based its conclusions on data gathered from over 1 million beer taps in 40 states. Hauke added that the company tracks between half and two-thirds of all beer systems in the U.S., offering a reliable picture of market trends.
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