The Beer Boomers Like Most In 2026 Isn't Heineken, Coors, Or Budweiser

Baby boomers, people born between 1946 and 1964, have a distinct preference for certain kinds of food and beverages compared to other generations. For this generation, major brands rise and fall in popularity — including beer brands. In 2026, the most well-liked beer brand among boomers is Corona. This year, Corona topped the list of beer brands boomers had a positive opinion of at 55%, according to YouGov, a research and analytics group that tracks data about brands. (Keep in mind that YouGov categorizes Corona, Corona Light, and Corona Extra separately — Light came in at 40% popularity, while Extra came in at just 34%.)

Corona is a Mexican beer made by Grupo Modelo, which is owned by beer giant Anheuser-Busch InBev. An easy-drinking Mexican lager, it's light and crisp with a flavor profile that includes notes of sweetness and citrus. Mexican lagers are brewed using European methods, but have been adapted to the tastes of beer drinkers in the Americas; however, they also contain maize, or corn-based ingredients, which differentiates them from American lagers. Corona is relatively low in alcohol, with an ABV of 4.6%(percentage of alcohol by volume). Corona also has an IBU (International Bitterness Units) of 18, which is the measurement of bitterness caused by the bitter acids from hops, which ranges from 0-100. This makes Corona very light, which makes it among the best beers to pair with rich, deeply flavorful Mexican food.      

In Chowhound's ranking of the most drinkable cheap beer brands, Corona placed among the top. That drinkability can make Corona appealing and approachable, as light, flavorful beers often are. But why is the brand rated so favorably among boomers in particular? 

One potential reason: According to data from Numerator, another consumer number-cruncher, baby boomers are significantly more brand loyal than Gen Z, and at least when it comes to pantry staples, they're often attracted to long-lasting, well-established brands. Corona is a well-established brand with a long-running marketing campaign (literally since the 1980s, making it as old as some boomers' kids). The campaign is simple: It positions Corona as attractive to the beach crowd seeking fun, sun, relaxation, and an easygoing lifestyle, highlighted by the brand's lengthy partnership with Jimmy Buffett, an icon for the beach lifestyle and good times (and a fellow baby boomer). In addition, one potential reason why Mexican beer is served with a lime may be due to this campaign, which features a tradition of serving Corona with a lime — another symbol of a refreshing sip to enjoy on a sunny beach day.

While we don't know for sure what makes this beer so appealing to boomers, those early years might have been a prime time for Corona to run its impactful marketing campaigns. In this case, the light and crisp, simple flavor combined with brand awareness and good marketing may have been factors that make Corona so enjoyable to the generation today.