Industry Analysts: Anheuser-Busch has the #1 Growing Brand Families in Beer & Spirits with Michelob ULTRA & Cutwater Spirits

January 7, 2026 – St. Louis, Missouri – Anheuser-Busch closed out 2025 with the #1 growing brand families in both the beer and spirits categories: Michelob ULTRA and Cutwater Spirits.  

As reported by industry analysts at Bump Williams Consulting, the Michelob ULTRA brand family was the #1 growing brand family in beer, driven by a record-setting year where Michelob ULTRA became America’s #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer and Michelob ULTRA Zero was the #1 innovation across the total beer industry.

The Busch brand family also ranked as the #3 growing brand family in beer, driven by quality and consistency in brewing and marketing which led Busch Light to growth in 46 out of 50 states last year.  

In spirits, Cutwater’s award-winning canned cocktails propelled them to the #1 growing brand family in spirits, and helped position Anheuser-Busch as one of the fastest-growing spirits companies in the U.S. According to Bump Williams Consulting, Cutwater is not only “the #1 growth family among Spirits, but also the #1 standalone growth family within any of the 3 major individual categories”: beer, spirits, and wine.  

Kyle Norrington, Chief Commercial Officer, Anheuser-Busch said: “We’re proud to be the nation’s top brewer and one of the fastest-growing spirits companies, and we’ll continue our consistent investments in Michelob ULTRA and Cutwater to fuel their strong growth. Our strategy is rooted in focus, consistency and connecting with our fans, and with the top growth brand families across both beer and spirits it’s clear that strategy is resonating with our consumers.” 

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 are home to 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, 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.   


Bump Williams Consulting Monthly Industry Update 12/31/25  
Circana TUS MULC+ YTD w.e 12.28.25    

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