7 Top Liquor Companies in the US You Should Know
Liquor is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world, and the US is no exception. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, the US liquor market grew by 5.3% in 2021, reaching $31.2 billion in sales. Liquor, also known as spirits, is an alcoholic beverage obtained from fermenting and distilling plants, fruits, or grains to produce whiskey, brandy, gin, tequila, vodka, and rum. In this article, we will introduce you to seven of the top liquor companies in the US that you should know, based on their volume, revenue, and brand recognition.
Key Takeaways
Liquor is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world, and the US is a major market for it.
The top liquor companies in the US are AB InBev, Molson Coors, Constellation, Gallo, Mark Anthony, Brown-Forman, and Rémy Cointreau.
These companies produce and distribute a variety of liquor brands, such as Bacardi, Svedka, Jack Daniel’s, White Claw, and Rémy Martin.
Liquor can be consumed in different ways, such as neat, on the rocks, mixed, or in cocktails.
Liquor consumption can have both positive and negative health effects, depending on the amount and frequency of intake.
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA (AB InBev) is the largest alcoholic beverage company in the world, and the leader in the US beer market. However, it also has a significant presence in the liquor segment, with brands such as Bacardi, Patron, Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, and Dewar’s. AB InBev owns a 50% stake in Bacardi-Martini BV, which produces these brands, as well as a 50% stake in Patrón Spirits International AG. AB InBev sold 116.6 million hectoliters of spirits in 2021, generating $7.1 billion in revenue.
Molson Coors Beverage Co
Molson Coors Beverage Co (Molson Coors) is the second-largest beer company in the US, behind AB InBev. It also has a growing portfolio of liquor brands, such as Coors Seltzer, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Proof Point Spirited Seltzer, Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, and Cape Line Sparkling Cocktails. Molson Coors sold 62.8 million hectoliters of spirits in 2021, generating $4.5 billion in revenue.
Constellation Brands Inc
Constellation Brands Inc (Constellation) is a leading producer and marketer of wine, beer, and spirits in the US. It owns some of the most popular liquor brands in the country, such as Svedka Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila, High West Whiskey, Sexton Irish Whiskey, and The Prisoner Wine Company. Constellation sold 19.9 million hectoliters of spirits in 2021, generating $3 billion in revenue.
E. & J. Gallo Winery
E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) is the largest wine company in the world, and also a major player in the liquor market. It produces and distributes a variety of liquor brands, such as New Amsterdam Vodka, E&J Brandy, Shellback Rum, Familia Camarena Tequila, and Germain-Robin Brandy. Gallo sold 18.2 million hectoliters of spirits in 2021, generating $2.6 billion in revenue.
Mark Anthony Group of Companies
Mark Anthony Group of Companies (Mark Anthony) is a privately-owned beverage company that specializes in ready-to-drink products. It is the creator of some of the most successful liquor brands in the US, such as White Claw Hard Seltzer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Cayman Jack Margarita, and Palm Bay Spritz. Mark Anthony sold 17 million hectoliters of spirits in 2021, generating $2.4 billion in revenue.
Brown-Forman Corporation
Brown-Forman Corporation (Brown-Forman) is one of the oldest and largest American-owned liquor companies in the world. It owns some of the most iconic liquor brands in history, such as Jack Daniel’s Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Herradura Tequila, Finlandia Vodka, and Chambord Liqueur. Brown-Forman sold 16.9 million hectoliters of spirits in 2021, generating $3.5 billion in revenue.
Rémy Cointreau SA
Rémy Cointreau SA (Rémy Cointreau) is a French company that produces and sells premium liquor brands around the world. It has a strong presence in the US market, with brands such as Rémy Martin Cognac, Cointreau Liqueur, Mount Gay Rum, Metaxa Brandy, and Bruichladdich Scotch Whisky. Rémy Cointreau sold 5.6 million hectoliters of spirits in 2021, generating $1.4 billion in revenue.
Tips
- Drink responsibly and know your limits. The US Dietary Guidelines recommend no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
- Drink water and eat food before and while drinking liquor to prevent dehydration and intoxication.
- Choose quality over quantity when buying liquor. Premium and super-premium liquors tend to have better taste and fewer impurities than cheaper ones.
- Experiment with different types and brands of liquor to find your favorite ones. You can also try new recipes and cocktails to enhance your drinking experience.
- Store your liquor in a cool and dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This will help preserve its flavor and quality.
Top Liquor Companies in the World
The liquor industry is one of the most profitable and resilient sectors in the global economy, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Liquor, also known as spirits, is an alcoholic beverage obtained from fermenting and distilling plants, fruits, or grains to produce whiskey, brandy, gin, tequila, rum, and others. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global liquor market size was valued at USD 1.49 trillion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% from 2021 to 2028.
The Most Popular Liquor Brands
One way to measure the popularity of liquor brands is by looking at their sales volume and market share. According to Drinks International, a trade publication for the alcoholic beverage industry, the most popular liquor brands in the world in 2022 were:
- Smirnoff (vodka): 25.5 million 9-liter cases sold
- Bacardi (rum): 16.8 million 9-liter cases sold
- Johnnie Walker (whisky): 15.4 million 9-liter cases sold
- Jack Daniel’s (whisky): 13.3 million 9-liter cases sold
- Tito’s Handmade Vodka (vodka): 10.3 million 9-liter cases sold
- Jägermeister (herbal liqueur): 9.5 million 9-liter cases sold
- Baileys (cream liqueur): 7.3 million 9-liter cases sold
- Hennessy (cognac): 7.2 million 9-liter cases sold
- Jim Beam (whisky): 7.1 million 9-liter cases sold
- Absolut (vodka): 6.8 million 9-liter cases sold
These brands represent a variety of liquor categories, regions, and price points, reflecting the diversity and preferences of consumers around the world.
The Global Demand for Liquor
The global demand for liquor is influenced by several factors, such as consumer preferences, income levels, cultural norms, legal regulations, and availability of products. According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, a leading source of data and intelligence on the global beverage alcohol market, the global liquor consumption increased by 0.8% in volume and by 7% in value in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. The growth was driven by strong performances in key markets such as China, India, Japan, Brazil, and the US.
Some of the trends that shaped the global liquor market in 2020 and are expected to continue in the future are:
- Premiumization: Consumers are willing to pay more for higher-quality products that offer better taste, authenticity, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Premium and super-premium segments accounted for 13% of the global liquor volume market in 2020 and are projected to grow by 5.8% CAGR from 2020 to 2025.
- Innovation: Liquor producers are constantly launching new products and flavors to cater to changing consumer tastes and occasions. For example, flavored vodka grew by 1.6% in volume in 2020, while ready-to-drink (RTD) products such as canned cocktails and hard seltzers surged by 43% in volume.
- E-commerce: The pandemic accelerated the shift to online shopping for liquor products, as consumers sought convenience, safety, and variety. Online sales of liquor increased by 45% in value in 2020 and reached USD 24 billion globally.
- Health and wellness: Consumers are becoming more conscious of their health and wellness and are looking for products that align with their lifestyles and values. Low-alcohol and no-alcohol products are gaining popularity among consumers who want to moderate their alcohol intake or abstain altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between liquor and spirits?
A: Liquor and spirits are synonyms, and they refer to any alcoholic beverage that is distilled from fermented plants, fruits, or grains.
Q2: What are the main types of liquor?
A: The main types of liquor are whiskey, brandy, gin, tequila, vodka, and rum. Each type has different ingredients, production methods, and flavor profiles.
Q3: How is liquor different from wine and beer?
A: Liquor is different from wine and beer in that it has a higher alcohol content, usually between 35% to 50% ABV. Wine and beer are fermented beverages that have lower alcohol content, usually between 5% to 15% ABV.
Q4: How should liquor be consumed?
A: Liquor can be consumed in different ways, depending on personal preference and occasion. Some common ways are neat (without any mixer or ice), on the rocks (with ice), mixed (with juice, soda, or other ingredients), or in cocktails (with other liquors or mixers).
Q5: What are the health effects of liquor consumption?
A: Liquor consumption can have both positive and negative health effects, depending on the amount and frequency of intake. Moderate consumption of liquor can lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and dementia. However, excessive consumption of liquor can increase the risk of liver damage, cancer, addiction, and mental disorders.
References:
https://www.drinksindustry.ie/
https://www.bevindustry.com/top-100-beverage-companies-2019-chart
https://media.diageocms.com/diageo-corporate-media/media/5qrm5zru/diageo-annual-report-2022.pdf
https://bespokeunit.com/whisky/history/
https://www.drinks.ng/history-of-diageo/
https://vinepair.com/world-top-30-liquors/
https://www.globaldata.com/companies/top-companies-by-sector/consumer/us-alcoholic-beverages-companies-by-volume/
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquor-market
https://www.theiwsr.com/global-trends-report/
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