Alcohology - "The Best Selling Beer in America"

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The beer landscape in America has shifted dramatically, and Modelo Especial now wears the crown as the nation's best-selling beer. This remarkable transformation—from a Mexican import to America's favorite brew—speaks volumes about changing consumer tastes and the evolving American identity.

Born in Mexico City in 1925, Modelo's origin story defies expectations. A Spanish baker decided to trade flour for foam, partnering with industrialist  and 22 other investors to launch Cerveceria Modelo. Their ambitious start brought us Modelo Especial and Corona in that first year, followed by Negra Modelo in 1926. The company flourished under unusual leadership: a former Dominican friar and one who rose from sweeping floors to running the entire business. Modelo has expanded beyond its core Hispanic customer base and in 2023 became America's top-selling beer, a position it maintains today.


This 4th of July, as you celebrate independence with friends and family, take a moment to appreciate how your beer choice reflects America's beautiful blending of cultures and traditions. After all, what's more American than the freedom to gather together and to choose exactly what you want in your cooler?

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Episode Transcript

Matt (00:00):
Welcome to Alkohology.
I wonder why they call it acocktail.
Yes, I'd like to know moreabout the Avenus Vinafera.
I'm very interested in theterroir.
We talking about two carbons,six hydrogen and one oxygen atom
.
We talking about ethyl alcohol,this episode, the best-selling
beer in America, modelo.

(00:20):
Yes, that's right, I saidModelo.
Picture this it's Fourth of.
I said Modelo.
Picture this, it's Fourth ofJuly.
Fireworks in the sky, burgerson the grill, hot dogs in the
bun, people rocking flag apparelthey probably shouldn't be
wearing.
You'd think the beer of choicein everyone's hand would be
American Brewed, but no, it'snot Bud, it's not Coors, not
even Yingling.
It's Modelo Especial, a beerbrewed in Mexico that is now

(00:43):
outselling every single US beerbrand.
That's right.
On the most stars and stripesholiday of the year, more people
are hoisting bottles fromCerveceria Modelo than from
Budweiser.
At this point, modelo is kingand it's wearing a gold foil
crown.
So while you're out therelighting sparklers and
celebrating America, justremember that beer in your hand
might be saying Merica, with abit of a Hispanic accent.

(01:03):
Honestly, we're here for it.
Nothing says America like thefreedom of choice and
inclusivity.
Let's dive into the story ofModelo.
Our story begins in 1925 inbustling Mexico City, a Spanish
baker named Brulio Arriarte yes,a baker decided to switch from
flour to foam, along withindustrialist Martin Oyemburu

(01:27):
and 22 other investors who gottogether and launched Cerveceria
Modelo.
They rolled out three beersright off the bat Modelo
Especial and Corona in 1925,followed by Modelo Negra in 1926
.
Not bad for their first twoyears of business.
Then came former Dominicanfriar turned CEO because that's
career pivot Pablo DiazFernandez.
He joined the company in 1928and took over leadership by 1930

(01:50):
.
Under Pablo's watch, modelogrew without a single peso of
debt.
And we can't forget Antonio DonAntonio Fernandez, who started
out sweeping floors andeventually ran the whole
operation.
He helped push Modelo tobecoming one of Mexico's most
powerful beer brands by the1980s.
You could say he really moppedup.
Fast forward to 1991, modelobecame Grupo Modelo, going

(02:11):
public in 1994 and attractingthe attention of global beer
giants.
Eventually, beer behemoth ABImbev bought the company.
But here's the twist Because ofthe antitrust laws in the US,
modelo's US rights were sold toConstellation Brands.
So if you're drinking Modelo inthe US, that's all thanks to
Constellation.
If you're drinking it in Mexico, that's AB InBev.

(02:32):
Territory Beer politics, folks,it's foamy and complicated.
Let's talk about Modelo'stakeover of America.
Modelo was once a sleeper hitamong US Hispanic drinkers, but
that changed fast.
In the 2010s, constellationlaunched major English-language
ad campaigns.
You might have seen theirslogan you're not just a model

(02:52):
to follow, you are the Modelo.
And then 2023 happened.
Without diving too deeply intothat, bud Light stumbled in a
high-profile PR mess and ModeloEspecial swooped in to take the
crown.
By summer 2023, modelo Especialbecame the best-selling beer in
the United States and, as ofmid-2025, yep, it's still

(03:13):
holding strong at the top of thecharts.
Modelo in Spanish means themodel of something, so let's
meet the model beer family.
Modelo Especial is the starlight, crisp, golden at 4.4% ABV
.
It is still served in its clear, iconic bottle with gold foil
around the neck.
Negra Modelo, a Vienna styledark lager, is smooth, malty and

(03:36):
a little toasty.
At 5.4% ABV.
It comes in a stubby brownbottle that looks like it should
be wearing a tuxedo.
Modelo Oro is the new lightintroduced in 2022.
It's a low-cal, low-carb lager.
Modelo Reserva is a limitededition brew aged in tequila
barrel wood.
I'm not sure if you can stillget this one, but I would love
to try it.
And finally, we have ModeloChiladas ready to drink

(03:59):
Micheladas in wild flavors likemango y chile, limón y sal, piña
picante and even fresa picante.
That's spicy strawberry, andyes, it exists.
It's like a beer cocktail in acan just add sunshine and maybe
plan for a hangover.
Here's a few fun facts toimpress your drinking buddies.
The clear bottle of ModeloEspecial is a deliberate choice

(04:22):
to show off the beer's color andset it apart.
The gold foil A little blingnever hurt.
The two lines on the labelthey're not just for show.
They symbolize strength andcourage and the fighting spirit
Modelo likes to celebrate.
And get this.
Modelo Cholatas are now thenumber one Cholata brand in the
US.
That's right.
Spicy beer in a can has foundits home From a bakery born in

(04:42):
1925 to toppling Bud Light acentury later.
Modelo's story is one of hardwork, flavor and pride.
Modelo isn't just a beer, it'sa legacy in a bottle.
So this 4th of July and every4th after, invite your neighbors
over Fire up the grill.
Don't serve subpar drinks, beit Modelo or your favorite drink
of choice.
Raise a glass to that simplefreedom to gather, to share a

(05:08):
laugh and to drink whatever youwould like, because this holiday
isn't just about fireworks.
It's about people all kindsfrom all walks of life that came
together to form a nation.
At Matt and Friends, wecelebrate that mix, that
beautiful blend of flavors andfolks.
Every single time we say cheers.
So here's to independence,inclusion and ice cold beverages
.
Happy 4th, friends.

(05:32):
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(05:53):
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