LONDON -- Samuel Adams and Budweiser are the two best-perceived beers in America for a second year in a row, according to the annual St. Patrick’s Day "buzz" ranking conducted by consumer-perception research firm YouGov BrandIndex. After that, dramatic shakeups show consumers’ growing preference for import and craft beers.
No. 1 Samuel Adams’ perception level is more than twice that of third-place brand Dos Equis from Heineken USA, though its score is down nearly 2 points from 2014.
MillerCoors’ cider-like Redd’s Apple Ale, launched less than three years ago, made the top 10 this year. Debuting in fifth place, it tied with Constellation Brands' Corona. Redd’s, which just began distributing two new flavors, Redd’s Wicked Mango and Redd’s Green Apple Ale, displaced Miller Lite from the list. (See charts below.)
Local beer-brand perception differs widely as well. Chicago seems to have undergone the biggest shifts in beer-brand perception of the four major cities tracked by the London-based consumer-research firm.
- Samuel Adams is the dominant beer brand in New York, Los Angeles and Boston, while Miller Lite is in the top spot in Chicago. Last year, Miller Lite was not in Chicago’s top 10 ranking, and Samuel Adams was on top in Chicago. Sam Adams is now in third place there.
- Blue Moon cracked the top 10 beer brands in New York, L.A. and Boston, but not Chicago. Blue Moon was No. 3 last year in that city. Blue Moon is in the 11th spot in the national ranking.
- Of the four cities, the craft beer Fat Tire made the top 10 in Los Angeles. Fat Tire came in at No. 13 on the national ranking.
All major beer brands were measured using YouGov BrandIndex’s Buzz score, which ask respondents: "If you've heard anything about the brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth, was it positive or negative?" All results reflect adults age 21 and over. Scores were compiled during the 12-week period leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.
Rank By Year
| 2015 | 2014 | ||||
| Rank | Brand | Score | Brand | Score | |
| 1 | Samuel Adams | 14.2 | Samuel Adams | 16.3 | |
| 2 | Budweiser | 9.9 | Budweiser | 12.6 | |
| 3 | Dos Equis | 6.9 | Bud Light | 8.9 | |
| 4 | Heineken | 6.7 | Dos Equis | 8.4 | |
| 5 | Corona | 6.6 | Heineken | 8.1 | |
| 6 | Redd's Apple Ale | 6.6 | Corona | 7.9 | |
| 7 | Stella Artois | 6.4 | Guinness | 7.0 | |
| 8 | Bid Light | 6.1 | Yuengling | 6.4 | |
| 9 | Guinness | 5.7 | Stella Artois | 6.2 | |
| 10 | Yuengling | 5.2 | Miller Lite | 5.9 |
Rank By City
| BOSTON | CHICAGO | ||||
| Rank | Brand | Score | Brand | Score | |
| 1 | Samuel Adams | 15.4 | Miller Lite | 18.6 | |
| 2 | Budweiser | 8.7 | Heineken | 14.9 | |
| 3 | Blue Moon | 8.6 | Samuel Adams | 10.4 | |
| 4 | Stella Artois | 7.2 | Miller | 10.1 | |
| 5 | Corona | 6.9 | Stella Artois | 9.5 | |
| 6 | Guinness | 6.5 | Corona | 8.0 | |
| 7 | Yuengling | 5.2 | Coors | 7.7 | |
| 8 | Bud Light | 5.1 | Bud Light | 6.2 | |
| 9 | Redd's Apple Ale | 5.0 | Budweiser | 6.1 | |
| 10 | Dos Equis | 4.5 | Guinness | 5.3 |
| LOS ANGELES | NEW YORK | ||||
| Rank | Brand | Score | Brand | Score | |
| 1 | Samuel Adams | 17.3 | Samuel Adams | 14.9 | |
| 2 | Stella Artois | 10.2 | Budweiser | 10.3 | |
| 3 | Corona | 8.4 | Blue Moon | 8.7 | |
| 4 | Dos Equis | 6.6 | Heineken | 8.4 | |
| 5 | Budweiser | 6.4 | Stella Artois | 7.6 | |
| 6 | Heineken | 5.2 | Guinness | 7.0 | |
| 7 | Guinness | 4.7 | Corona | 7.0 | |
| 8 | Redd's Apple Ale | 4.2 | Yuengling | 6.5 | |
| 9 | Fat Tire | 4.1 | Coors Light | 6.4 | |
| 10 | Blue Moon | 3.0 | Dos Equis | 4.6 |
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