AB InBev has further cemented its dominance in global beer branding, securing eight of the world’s ten most valuable beer brands in Kantar BrandZ’s 2026 global rankings. For the third consecutive year, Corona was named the world’s most valuable beer brand, followed by Budweiser. The only non-AB InBev brands in the top ten are Heineken, owned by Heineken N.V., and Guinness, owned by Diageo. The remaining top ten positions are held by Modelo, Michelob ULTRA, Brahma, Bud Light, Skol, and Stella Artois, all part of AB InBev’s portfolio. While Modelo is controlled by Constellation Brands in the USA, Kantar’s global ranking reflects its ownership under AB InBev.
The ranking highlights the growing strategic importance of brand equity in a global beer market facing structural headwinds. According to Kantar, the overall value of alcohol brands declined by 7% year-on-year, reflecting weaker alcohol consumption across major mature markets, particularly North America and Europe. Yet beer remains the strongest alcohol category globally, accounting for four of the top five alcohol brands and 11 of the top 20.
Marcel Marcondes, Global Chief Marketing Officer of AB InBev, pointed to Corona’s continued international momentum as evidence of the brewer’s long-term brand-building strategy. In 2025, Corona increased revenues by 8.3% outside Mexico, supported by double-digit volume growth in 30 markets, while Corona Cero also posted strong double-digit gains. Momentum accelerated further in Q1 2026, when Corona grew 16% outside its home market following its debut as the first global beer sponsor of the Winter Olympics.
The broader ranking also underlines the diverging fortunes within alcohol. While beer brands continue to benefit from premiumisation, occasion-led marketing and alcohol-free innovation, Kantar notes that declining per-capita alcohol consumption remains a structural challenge. The consultancy sees future growth opportunities particularly in India, Africa and other developing markets, while “fewer, better drinks” and zero-alcohol propositions continue reshaping consumer behaviour.
AB InBev’s dominance in brand value rankings does not necessarily reflect global volume leadership by individual brands, but it reinforces the brewer’s unmatched ability to build globally resonant beer trademarks at a time when brand differentiation is becoming increasingly critical.
The two Top 10 beer brands in Kantar BrandZ 2026 are:
- Corona (AB InBev)
- Budweiser (AB InBev)
- Heineken (Heineken)
- Modelo (AB InBev)
- Michelob ULTRA (AB InBev)
- Guinness (Diageo)
- Brahma (AB InBev)
- Bud Light (AB InBev)
- Skol (AB InBev)
- Stella Artois (AB InBev)
