Draftline Technologies in Beer Business Daily Draft Beer Trend August 2024 - August 2025

The U.S. draft beer market has seen significant shifts over the past 12 months, with clear winners emerging and a few surprising patterns in brand performance. Draftline’s data continues to track over a million taps nationwide, giving us a real-time lens into where consumer preferences are moving.

• Michelob Ultra surged into the #1 position, growing more than 11% over the year. Ultra’s steady momentum underscores its dominance as the preferred light option on tap.

• Modelo Especial posted the fastest gains of any major brand, climbing nearly 15%. This reflects Modelo’s growing appeal across markets and its ability to capture incremental share from both domestic and import segments.

• Bud Light, long a category leader, held onto a strong position but showed gradual declines as consumers increasingly turn to Ultra and Modelo.

• Coors Light remained relatively stable, signaling a steady base of loyal drinkers even in a shifting competitive set.

• Miller Lite and Stella Artois were largely flat year-over-year, demonstrating consistency in the face of evolving consumer tastes.

• Guinness and Yuengling both delivered modest growth, showcasing enduring loyalty and seasonal strength that continue to keep these brands relevant on tap.

Shifting Dynamics What It Means for Distributors & Retailers

The story of the past year is one of momentum: lighter options and premium imports are fueling growth, while stalwart domestic brands remain reliable anchors. For wholesalers, retailers, and on-premise operators, the implication is clear: leaning into growth brands while maintaining balance with core staples is key to maximizing draft performance.

✅ Takeaway: Draft beer is dynamic, with leadership reshuffling and consumer preferences evolving quickly. The brands that can capture health, premiumization, and loyalty are the ones rewriting the leaderboard.