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In a very tough year for the US beer industry, even the high end (above premium segments) declined, but less than the total biz. So high end still gained a little share as it dropped 5 mil bbls, 4.5% in 2025, while total biz down over 10 mil bbls, 5.3%, INSIGHTS estimates. Above premium segments at 105.5 mil bbls last yr, down from 2021 peak of 114.3 mil bbls. Climbed to 57.6 share of total beer volume, nearly 65 share of $$ in scan data (see latest issue of flaghip publication Beer Marketer's INSIGHTS). But competitive dynamics within high end keep shifting. Last yr, AB got nearly 400K bbl gain in high end to 21.5 mil bbls (about one third of its volume), INSIGHTS estimates. That was enough for AB to increase its share of high end 1.3 points to 20.4. Michelob Ultra alone up 700K bbls, 5% to 14.7 mil bbls, 68% of AB's high-end biz. But in last 4 yrs, AB lost 2.3 mil bbls, 9% in high end, partly due to sale of craft brands to Tilray, even tho Ultra gained 2 mil bbls. And its share dropped slightly from 20.8. Meanwhile, it has also built a formidable RTD spirits & wine portfolio with Cutwater, Nutrl and now BeatBox, not included in this analysis.Constellation Brands remains #1 in high end by far with a 28.4 share in 2025. That was up 0.3 share last yr, even in STZ's first down yr since 2009 (off over 1 mil bbls). In last 4 yrs, it gained 6 mil bbls and 7.5 share in high end. It was neck-and-neck with AB in 2021, but is now 8 share ahead. Top 2 basically half the high end at 49 share.Mark Anthony Brands remains #3 player in high end and has held share at 7.2 since 2021, even as its volume declined 600K bbls in 4 yrs. Boston Beer is #4 but lost 1 share point last 4 yrs to 6.4. Volume down 1.74 mil bbls, over 20%. And Heineken is #5 share, down to 5 share of high end from 6.1 share 4 yrs ago. It's off 1.65 mil bbls in 4 yrs, almost 25%. Those 3 players another 18.6 share of high end beer. So top 5 over two thirds of high end segments.Molson Coors remains #6 in high end with just a 3.6 share (tho it's #2 overall with a 21 share of beer). It lost over 1.1 mil bbls, 23% in 4 yrs, dropping 0.7 share. Growing in high end remains a top priority for co. And it recently acquired growing RTD brand Monaco to build its position in that key growth arena. Diageo Beer Co grew 125K bbls to 2.9 share in 2025, up from 2.6 in 2021. Volume flat in 4 yr period. Kirin-Lion also gained 0.3 share of high end in 4 yrs, but after solid growth, flattened out last coupla yrs. FIFCO down to 1.1 share from 1.7 four yrs ago. Sierra also at 1 share. All Others got hit hard as craft and seltzers faded. Dropped 6.8 mil bbls in 4 yrs, declining from 26.6 share of high end to 22.3 share of high end segments.This analysis is based on data that you can find exclusively in the Beer Industry Update, and nowhere else. The first batch of files for this year's report are now available. Order your copy of the 2026 edition now to save $150 and receive the initial data right away. The leading source of beer industry info for over 55 years, Beer Marketer's INSIGHTS is uniquely positioned to assemble the most accurate figures and insightful commentary available. Click here to learn more about the jam-packed contents of Update, including sample pages from last year&#39;s edition.

AB Gained Over 1 Share in High End, But STZ Still #1 By Far; MAB #3, MC #6

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