Cutwater Strengthens Anheuser-Busch’s Position in Spirits as Brand Continues Rapid Growth

The American beverage alcohol sector is witnessing a seismic shift as consumer preferences increasingly pivot away from traditional pours toward convenient, high-quality alternatives. Amid this broader market evolution, ready-to-drink options have transitioned from a passing trend into a dominant retail powerhouse, completely redefining how socializing and relaxation occasions are serviced across the country.

At the forefront of this explosive movement is a pioneering San Diego-based distillery that has completely lapped the competition through aggressive product innovation and savvy marketing. By maintaining rigorous craft standards while scaling operations to unprecedented heights, the brand has captured a staggering share of category growth, cementing its status as an absolute titan within the modern adult beverage landscape.

Capitalizing on this incredible momentum, the company is doubling down with massive capital investments in production capacity, high-profile sports partnerships, and a landmark national media blitz. As it prepares to take center stage with a high-profile broadcast spot during the upcoming sports calendar’s biggest entertainment showcase, this market leader is proving that the future of convenience-driven spirits is arriving faster than ever.

Here is the complete press release detailing Cutwater’s record-breaking growth and its expanded investments across national markets:

As the fastest-growing brand across Total Alcohol, Cutwater continues to win key consumer occasions with category-leading brand building, innovation and media investment including an upcoming spot in next year’s big game broadcast *

Key Facts

• – Cutwater has more than doubled in size in 2026, growing 104% year-over-year *
• – Cutwater is the #1 fastest-growing brand across Total Alcohol (Spirits, Hard Beverage, Beer and Wine) *
• – Cutwater is the #1 spirits-based cocktail brand, with nine of the top 10 spirits-based cocktail SKUs and sales more than 4.5x larger than the next competitor *
• – Cutwater delivers approximately 75% of spirits-based cocktail category dollar growth *
• – Cutwater is leading Anheuser-Busch’s emerging leadership in the spirits category *
• – Cutwater will air a national commercial during the big game in February 2027

SAN DIEGO, CA – August 6, 2026 – Driven by strong consumer demand, consistent execution, and increased investment, Cutwater has emerged as the #1 fastest-growing brand in the total U.S. beverage alcohol industry (Spirits, Hard Beverage, Beer and Wine).* The brand has more than doubled in size in 2026, growing 104% year-over-year.* As consumers increasingly seek premium spirits-based options across a wider range of occasions, Cutwater is leading Anheuser-Busch’s spirits portfolio.

Today, Cutwater is the largest spirits-based cocktail brand in the United States, more than 4.5 times larger than its nearest competitor, with nine of the top 10 spirits-based cocktail SKUs and approximately 75% of all dollar sales growth within the spirits-based cocktail category. * The brand continues to capture spirits occasions and fuel Anheuser-Busch’s emerging leadership in the spirits category.

Investing in Long-Term Growth

Cutwater continues to drive incremental growth across the Anheuser-Busch portfolio through spirits-based occasions and to continue fueling that momentum, A-B is expanding its investment across marketing, innovation, partnerships and operations including:

• – Expanded national media support with 40% more media investment during key summer months
• – Partnerships across major sports properties including MLB, PGA TOUR, NFL teams and NBA teams
• – A robust innovation pipeline featuring new cocktails, flavor extensions and variety packs
• – Expanded production capacity and investments across multiple brewing and production facilities to support accelerating consumer demand
• – Cutwater will be featured during the big game in February 2027 with a national commercial, bringing one of the fastest-growing brands in alcohol to one of the biggest stages in sports and entertainment.

Jake Kirsch, President, Beyond Beer at Anheuser-Busch said: “Cutwater’s momentum is helping us reach consumers in more occasions and solidify A-B’s leadership in the broader beverage alcohol landscape. As demand continues to grow, we’re investing behind the brand in a major way, from innovation and expanded production capacity to national media, sports partnerships and cultural moments like the big game. Cutwater is a remarkable brand that consumers love: it’s an important part of how we’re building our spirits business, complementing our leadership in beer, and driving long-term growth.”

Momentum Across the Portfolio

Cutwater’s growth is being driven by a portfolio of category-leading cocktails. Among the brand’s top performers:

• – Lime Margarita 4-pack is the #1 largest and fastest-growing spirits-based cocktail SKU, +87% *
• – Mango Margarita 4-pack is the #2 spirits-based cocktail SKU, +135% *
• – The Long Island Iced Tea 4-pack ranks #4 among the category, +119% *
• – Lemon Drop Martini 4-pack has become the #2 fastest-growing spirits-based cocktail SKU *
• – Espresso Martini (+76%), White Russian (+87%) and Mai Tai (+57%) continue to post strong double-digit growth*
• – New in 2026, Banana Mudslide became the #4 new SKU in spirits-based cocktails *

The company’s investment extends beyond the shelf. At Cutwater’s San Diego tasting room and kitchen, guest counts are up +24%, foot traffic has increased +25%, and net revenue has grown +28% versus last year. **

About Cutwater

Cutwater, the most awarded canned cocktail brand in the U.S., is a San Diego-based distillery known for its lineup of 20+ canned cocktail classics made from its portfolio of bottled spirits that span nearly every spirits category. A key part of Anheuser-Busch’s iconic line-up of brands, Cutwater operates from a 50,000-square-foot distillery and production facility, which includes a world-class tasting room and restaurant. To date, Cutwater has earned over 3,500 awards across its portfolio of products and is distributed in 50 states. Learn more at www.CutwaterSpirits.com or follow @cutwaterspirits on Instagram, X and Facebook.

About Anheuser-Busch

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation’s top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.

We make the nation’s most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America’s #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, BeatBox, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That’s who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

FAQs

1. How is Cutwater performing in the marketplace? Cutwater continues to be the #1 fastest-growing brand in the total U.S. beverage alcohol industry (Spirits, Hard Beverage, Beer and Wine). * The brand has more than doubled in size in 2026 and is the leading spirits-based cocktail brand in the United States. *
2. What other investments is Anheuser-Busch making behind Cutwater? In addition to advertising during the big game, Anheuser-Busch is expanding national media support, increasing investment in sports partnerships, introducing new innovations and expanding production capacity to support growing consumer demand.
3. What products are driving Cutwater’s growth? The portfolio’s strongest performers include Lime Margarita, Mango Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea, Lemon Drop Martini, Espresso Martini, White Russian and Mai Tai.
4. Where can consumers purchase Cutwater? Cutwater products are available nationally through retailers across the United States.

Sources

*Circana, $ Sales, YTD 07.19.26, TUS HB GEO

**Toast POS

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