In 2002, Michelob ULTRA entered the light beer category. Today, Michelob ULTRA has reached a new pinnacle, becoming America’s No. 1-selling beer, the company says citing Chicago-based Circana data for the 52 weeks ending Sept. 14 and NielsenIQ On Premise total U.S. volume for the weeks ending July 12. 

This milestone ― 22 years in the making ― reflects decades of disciplined, consistent investment in the brand around America’s most popular sporting and active-lifestyle moments and as a pioneer in tapping into consumer preferences for balanced choices, the company says. 

“For more than 20 years, Michelob ULTRA has connected with its fans during the occasions they love,” said Kyle Norrington, chief commercial officer at Anheuser-Busch, in a statement. “The brand’s playbook has been simple and relentless: invest, learn and execute as the Official Beer Sponsor of America’s most prominent sports and active-lifestyle moments from Team USA to the NBA to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and LA 2028 games to a 30-plus year partnership with the PGA Tour. This approach has turned Michelob ULTRA into an absolute rocket ship, and we’ve got tremendous opportunity ahead of us. This is a proud moment for our teams and partners and speaks to the resilience of the American beer category.”  

Circana highlighted in its latest read that Michelob ULTRA has claimed No. 1 for the latest 52 weeks in retail channels, and Nielsen confirms the brand’s leadership in bars and restaurants across the latest 52 weeks as well. 

“Consumers are buying more Michelob ULTRA than any other beer in America,” said Scott Scanlon, executive vice president of category insights at Circana, in a statement. “The brand stands out as the growth leader in the industry, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.”   

Leaning into its proven strategy, Michelob ULTRA has major investments on the horizon — including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup — giving a special focus to soccer during a golden age for the sport in the U.S. Combined with supporting Team USA as the exclusive beer sponsor for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028, and as the Official Beer Sponsor of the LA28 Games, Michelob ULTRA will continue to connect with fans through impactful creative with precision execution at scale, converting awareness into repeat purchase to keep the momentum going, the company says. 

Since 2020, Michelob ULTRA has grown 15%, based on Circana data for the last 52 weeks ending Sept. 14, gaining more than 2% of the market in the last five years, based on Circana data year-to-date ending Sept. 14. 

Momentum for Michelob ULTRA is also visible in its innovations, with Michelob ULTRA Zero quickly becoming one of the top-selling non-alcohol beers in the United States in its first nine months on shelves, based on Circana data for week ending Sept. 14.