Corona named most valuable beer brand in Kantar rankings

Corona has been recognised as the most valuable beer brand in Kantar’s annual BrandZ global rankings, published on Wednesday.

The AB InBev brand has secured the second position in the alcohol category, behind Chinese baijiu brand Motai, and also broke into the top 100 global ranking for the first time, at the 100^th position. AB InBev’s flagship brand Budweiser occupied the 95^th position.

“Valued at more than $19 billion, Corona has become the most valuable global beer brand due to consistent acceleration of growth globally and specifically tapping into growing markets, like Brazil, China, South Africa while maintaining its stronghold in Mexico,” said Kantar chief executive Chris Jansen. “Our congratulations go to the Corona team for a standout year.”

Marcel Marcondes, AB InBev’s global chief marketing officer, added: “Corona’s strength lies in how it combines emotional and functional points of difference in a unique and consistent way.

“In everything that Corona does the brand evokes that emotional moment of having a break from the routine to reconnect with nature and oneself. On the functional side, consumers know that Corona is brewed with 100% natural ingredients, they love the unique, refreshing experience of the lime ritual and they appreciate that Corona is one of the first global beverage brands with a net zero plastic footprint. All these elements are why Corona is recognized as a truly premium, iconic brand anywhere in the world.”

Eight out of the 10 most valuable global beer brands belong to AB InBev, according to the report ranking the top brands in the world.

Budweiser is the second most valuable beer brand in the world, Modelo at No. 4, Brahma at 5, Michelob Ultra at 6, Bud Light at 7, Skol at 8 and Stella Artois at 10. These brands all feature in the top 20 most valuable global alcohol category ranking.

“Growing our megabrands is a key part of our business strategy to lead and grow the category,” said Marcondes. “Our focus is on delivering against the needs of our consumers in a way that gives them what they seek, but also in a way that earns their love.”

Heineken at third position and Guinness at ninth complete the top ten beer brands. Heineken group’s Tecate beer is also in the top 20 alcohol category ranking, occupying 18^th position.

Three Diageo brands – Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Smirnoff – are in the alcohol top 20 list, at sixth, 16^th and 17^th places respectively.

Published annually, the Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Global Brands Report ranks the world’s top brands, the sector leaders, big movers and brands to watch. US tech giant Apple led the top 100 list of global brands for the third straight year, with its brand value crossing $1 trillion for the first time.

Kantar BrandZ top 20 most valuable global alcohol category ranking:

1. Moutai
2. Corona
3. Budweiser
4. Heineken
5. Modelo
6. Johnnie Walker
7. Wu Liang Ye
8. Jack Daniel’s
9. Hennessy
10. National Cellar 1573
11. Brahma
12. Michelob Ultra
13. Bud Light
14. Skol
15. Guinness
16. Smirnoff
17. Stella Artois
18. Tecate
19. Luzhou Laojiao
20. Moët & Chandon