Packages of Michelob Ultra are displayed at a BevMo store on December 16, 2024 in Larkspur, California. <\/p>\n
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images<\/p>\n
Michelob Ultra has overtaken Constellation Brands<\/a>‘ Modelo Especial as the best-selling beer in the United States.<\/p>\n Michelob Ultra claimed the top spot as the best-selling beer in retail channels in the 52 weeks ended Sept. 14, parent company Anheuser-Busch<\/a> announced Monday<\/a>, citing data from Circana. The light lager is also the top seller in bars and restaurants, according to Nielsen IQ data for the 52 weeks ended July 12.<\/p>\n For brewer AB InBev, Michelob Ultra’s triumph reverses the company’s struggles from two years ago. Modelo Especial unseated<\/a> Bud Light in the wake of conservative backlash over the flagship beer’s partnership with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Bud Light had previously held the title as the top-selling beer in the U.S. for more than two decades.<\/p>\n Modelo’s declining popularity comes as Constellation faces key challenges to its business, including tariffs on aluminum and Mexican imports and weaker demand from Hispanic consumers.<\/p>\n Historically, Hispanic beer drinkers have accounted for roughly half of Constellation’s customer base, although growing demand from non-Hispanic consumers helped fuel Modelo’s rise. Executives have said<\/a> that President Donald Trump<\/a>‘s immigration policies and related job losses have weighed on Hispanic consumers’ spending.<\/p>\n