The 10 Largest Beer Companies In the World

Beer remains the most popular alcoholic beverage globally, consistently ranking high among the most widely consumed drinks overall.

However, the beer industry is not immune to evolving market trends and consumer preferences. Companies that fail to innovate and respond to these shifts risk losing their competitive edge, even against emerging brands.

This article explores the ten largest beer companies in the world as of 2026, shedding light on their success and the evolving landscape of the beer market.

Take a look at the ten largest beer companies in the world today:

The 10 Largest Beer Companies in the World: A Closer Look

1. Anheuser-Busch InBev. Headquarters: Leuven, Belgium

   2022 Annual Revenue: $57.786 billion

   Anheuser-Busch InBev owns over 500 beer brands and leverages its extensive network of more than 600 distributors and wholesalers to sell its products globally.

   The company is renowned for its flagship brands, Budweiser and Bud Light. Despite recent declines in sales for these brands, Anheuser-Busch InBev has enhanced its overall value through strategic acquisitions, including SABMiller, and increased sales of Stella Artois and Corona.

   With ongoing growth, Anheuser-Busch InBev provides a positive outlook for the beer market, countering concerns over market share loss to alternatives like wine, spirits, and cannabis products.

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2. Heineken. Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

   2022 Annual Revenue: $38.022 billion

   Heineken ranks as the second-largest beer company globally and the largest in Europe, maintaining a leading position for nearly 150 years.

   The company operates over 160 breweries in 70+ countries and sells over 8.5 million barrels of beer in the United States alone.

   Beyond its flagship brand, Heineken also owns popular international brands such as Desperados, Affligem, and Tecate, along with various regional ciders and specialty beers.

   Heineken’s continued success is largely attributed to its substantial investments in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, enhancing production efficiency and customer experience.

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3. Asahi. Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

   2022 Annual Revenue: $21.906 billion

   Founded in Osaka in 1889, Asahi is the largest brewery in Japan by sales volume, a title it has held for over a decade.

   The company’s recent success is largely due to its flagship product, “Asahi Super Dry,” which was Japan’s first dry draft beer. In addition to beer, Asahi offers a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, and food products.

   With declining domestic demand for beer, Asahi is focusing on expanding its international presence, particularly in Europe and the United States, where its products are gaining popularity.

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4. Kirin Brewery Co.. Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

   2022 Annual Revenue: $15.319 billion

   Kirin ranks as Japan’s second-largest brewery and is among the largest globally.

   Unlike Asahi, a significant portion of Kirin’s revenue comes from international markets, including investments in companies such as Myanmar Brewery Limited and San Miguel Brewery.

   In Japan, Kirin’s flagship products include Kirin Lager and Ichiban Shibori, as well as the popular Kirin Tanrei, a low-malt beer.

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5. Molson Coors Brewing Company. Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

   2022 Annual Revenue: $10.701 billion

   Founded in 2003, Molson Coors Brewing is the second-largest beer company in the U.S. and remains competitive in Canada and Europe.

   The company operates 31 breweries globally and owns over 90 brands, selling products in more than 50 countries. Molson Coors merged with SABMiller to enhance its operations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, continuing to grow its brand portfolio and invest in craft, cider, and premium markets.

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6. Carlsberg. Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark

   2022 Annual Revenue: $9.95 billion

   Founded in 1847, Carlsberg operates over 140 different beer brands worldwide and has achieved steady growth since the 1990s.

   In addition to beer, Carlsberg produces sodas and juices, maintaining a competitive edge in the European and American markets through its SAIL’22 strategy that emphasizes core beer business growth.

7. Groupe Castel. Headquarters: Bordeaux, France

   2022 Annual Revenue: $6.8 billion

   Founded in 1949, Castel Group has a strong global presence and markets itself as the premier French beer brand, with a consumer base in over 130 countries.

   Most of its beer products are produced in Africa, where the company expanded its operations starting in the 1990s.

8. China Resources Snow Barrels. Headquarters: Beijing, China

   2022 Annual Revenue: $5.236 billion

   Established just 27 years ago, China Resources Snow Barrels is now the third-largest beer company globally and the largest in China, controlling 21% of the domestic market.

   The company operates 98 breweries across 25 provinces, producing over 20 million kiloliters of beer annually. While its brands are less recognized outside China, its flagship product, “Snow,” ranks among the best-selling beers globally.

   Originally a joint venture with SABMiller, the company has since acquired full ownership after SABMiller’s acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev.

9. Tsingtao Brewery Group. Headquarters: Qingdao, China

   2022 Annual Revenue: $4.77 billion

   Tsingtao Brewery Group is the second-largest beer company in China, boasting a rich history of 115 years and a diverse portfolio of beer, spirits, and ciders sold in over 100 countries.

   The brand enjoys significant recognition in developed regions, achieving over 90% brand awareness in North America and Europe, appealing to consumers who seek high-quality international beers.

   Focused on innovation, Tsingtao regularly introduces new flavors and varieties to meet changing consumer preferences, emphasizing high quality and visibility.

10. Beijing Yanjing Beer Group. Headquarters: Beijing, China

    2022 Annual Revenue: $1.92 billion

    Beijing Yanjing Beer Group is the fourth-largest beer company in China and has a notable history, evolving from Yanjing Brewery to encompass various smaller companies.

    The majority of Yanjing’s sales occur in North and South China, and the company diversifies its offerings by producing yeast, plastic boxes, and distilled wine alongside its beer products.

Beer Industry FAQ

1. Who is the largest beer company in the world?

   The largest beer company in the world is Anheuser-Busch InBev. With a 2022 revenue of $57.786 billion, it leads the industry, followed by Heineken with a revenue of $38 billion in 2022.

2. How many beer companies are there in the world?

   There are over 20,000 beer companies worldwide. The majority are small microbreweries, often localized to their respective regions.

3. What is the world’s oldest beer company?

   Weihenstephan is recognized as the oldest beer company in the world. Located in Freising, Germany, it claims to have been founded in 1040, although the earliest evidence of its existence dates back to 1675, which is still significant.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.