Chinese Beer to Dethrone Bud Light

Snow now world's top seller ... or close, depending on numbers
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 11, 2008 1:56 PM CDT
Chinese Beer to Dethrone Bud Light
Anheuser-Busch counts Budweiser and Bud Light as one brand, and says they remain the world's top seller.   (AP Photo)

A Chinese favorite may have replaced Bud Light as the world’s best-selling beer, without selling a single keg outside of China, the Wall Street Journal reports. One research firm says 1.35 billion gallons of Snow Beer were consumed last year to 48.4 million of Bud Light, while another says the US brand holds a 1.37 billion-1.35 billion edge.

Anheuser-Busch argues that if Budweiser and Bud Light sales are combined, it’s still on top, but with Snow sales up 22% this year—and sales steadily falling for Bud—Snow may soon be on top. “I think it's inevitable,” said one analyst. Snow scored this coup by simply expanding, buying competitors, and getting its beer to a thirsty, and enormous, Chinese public.
(More China stories.)

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