More bad news for Bud Light as Michelob Ultra takes over the top spot in US bar taps

New York CNN — It’s the end of an era for Bud Light: The beleaguered brand is no longer the most popular beer on tap at bars. Another Anheuser-Busch InBev beer, Michelob Ultra, has surpassed Bud Light in its share of US draft lines, marking an end to several decades of dominance. “The rise of Michelob Ultra as the leader by number of tap handles on draft reflects shifting consumer preferences.” “We’re proud to have the top two beers on draft in the US in Michelob Ultra and Bud Light, and by our data, Bud Light is more than 30% bigger than the next closest draft competitor,” an A-B InBev spokesperson said in a statement to CNN. “Michelob Ultra has an ability to appeal to anyone while Bud Light has found it harder to maintain loyal drinkers.” Michelob Ultra also raised its profile with splashy sports sponsorships, including Team USA for the Olympics, plus several soccer tournaments and leagues, including Major League Soccer, Copa America and the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. “Bud Light has been anchored on its tagline of ‘easy to enjoy,’ but in reality, Michelob Ultra has held that mantle for some time,” Roth said of Michelob Ultra’s marketing efforts and socially acceptable reputation, “helping the brand rise to the prominence it has now.” In perhaps brighter news for A-B InBev, the company’s most recent earnings report shows that beer volumes in North America, its largest market, were flat.