St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday often synonymous with beer and revelry, sees significant spikes in alcohol consumption across the United States. While Guinness and green beer are typically associated with the celebration, recent sales data reveals some surprising trends in what Americans are actually drinking during the festivities.
According to Total Wine & More, the nation’s largest independent alcohol retailer, Coors Light emerged as the top-selling beer for St. Patrick’s Day 2024, surpassing Guinness, which has long been a staple for the holiday. Total Wine tracked beer sales nationwide and in select key markets, examining the week leading up to the holiday as well as sales from Irish beer varieties in the same period.
Coors Light, an American lager brewed by Molson Coors Beverage Company in Golden, Colorado, dethroned Michelob Ultra, which held the top spot in 2023. Coors Light is popular year-round, particularly in Western and Southwestern states. Miller Lite, another American lager, claimed the second spot, continuing its strong presence as one of the most recognized light beers in the U.S.
While Guinness remains one of the most popular beers in the country, it did not top the St. Patrick’s Day sales rankings this year. Guinness Draught, however, maintained its position as the leading Irish beer, with Guinness Extra Stout following closely behind. Additionally, a limited-edition Irish Pub Pack, featuring Guinness Draught, Smithwick’s, and Harp, secured third place, with Guinness Foreign Extra Stout making a notable appearance in the top ten.
Despite Guinness’ slightly lower ranking, Total Wine’s Senior Director of Beer and Hard Beverages, Andrea Starr, emphasized that Guinness and other imports continue to be popular year-round. “While beer sales see a significant spike in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, imports remain popular with steady demand after the holiday,” she said.
The data also reflects a growing consumer interest in imported beers. Mexican beers, in particular, have garnered significant attention, with other imports from North America, Europe, and Asia experiencing strong growth, driven by consumer preferences for crisp, clean lagers and pilsners.
Total Wine also observed regional preferences, with Modelo Especial topping sales in Los Angeles, Michelob Ultra leading in Dallas, and Guinness Draught taking the top spot in Boston, a city known for its large Irish-American population.
In conclusion, while Guinness continues to be a favorite Irish beer, Coors Light’s dominance in the U.S. market shows that beer preferences for St. Patrick’s Day are shifting, with consumers embracing both domestic and imported options in greater numbers.
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