Michelob Ultra Surpasses Bud Light as Top Draft Beer in U.S., Data Shows

SAN ANGELO, TX – Michelob Ultra has officially overtaken Bud Light as the best-selling draft beer in U.S. bars, according to new data released by Draftline Technologies. 

This comes a year and a half after Bud Light lost its title as the best-selling overall beer to Modelo Especial.

The report, which tracks the number of beer tap handles in venues nationwide, found that Michelob Ultra now leads among draft options. Both beers are owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev.

In July 2024, Michelob Ultra surpassed Bud Light as the second-best-selling beer overall, pushing it to third place behind Modelo.

Bud Light’s decline comes after a backlash over its 2023 collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which led to calls for a boycott.

Draftline Technologies credits Michelob Ultra’s success, in part, to its appeal among health-conscious consumers seeking "premium beer options."

The data was compiled from over 1 million beer lines at venues across 40 states, representing about half to two-thirds of all beer systems in the U.S., according to Draftline.