Who Owns Corona?

Corona was first brewed in 1925 at Cerveceria Modelo in Mexico City. Grupo Modelo, founded in 1925 by a group of Mexican entrepreneurs, created Corona as its flagship brand. The beer was a light lager brewed with barley, hops, yeast, and water, designed to be refreshing in Mexico's warm climate.

The clear glass bottle became Corona's signature packaging choice. While most beer brands used dark glass to protect against light damage, Corona's transparent bottle made it instantly recognizable on store shelves. The wedge of lime placed in the bottle neck became an iconic serving ritual, though its exact origins are debated. Some accounts trace it to a bartender in Mexico City in the 1980s, while others claim it started as a hygiene practice.

Corona entered the U.S. market in the 1980s and quickly gained popularity as an imported beer. Its association with beach culture and relaxation resonated with American consumers. By the 1990s, Corona had become the top-selling imported beer in the United States, a position it has maintained for decades.

In 2012, AB InBev announced its intention to acquire Grupo Modelo for $20.1 billion. The U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit in January 2013 to block the deal, arguing that AB InBev already controlled nearly half of the U.S. beer market through brands like Budweiser and Bud Light. Adding Corona to AB InBev's direct control would reduce competition.

The resolution came in June 2013, when AB InBev agreed to divest Grupo Modelo's U.S. business to Constellation Brands. Constellation paid approximately $5.3 billion for the U.S. rights, the Nava brewery, and perpetual brand licenses. AB InBev completed the acquisition of the rest of Grupo Modelo and retained global rights to Corona outside the U.S.

Under Constellation Brands, Corona's U.S. business grew significantly. Constellation invested in expanding the Nava brewery capacity and launched Corona Premier in 2017, a low-carb extension targeting the premium light beer segment. Corona Extra and Corona Light remained the brand's core products.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 created an unexpected challenge. The virus was informally called "coronavirus," which led to some consumers associating the beer brand with the disease. A Nielsen survey in early 2020 found that 38% of beer-drinking Americans would not buy Corona under any circumstances due to the association. However, the impact was short-lived, and Corona's sales recovered quickly. Constellation Brands reported that Corona Extra gained U.S. market share during 2020 despite the initial concerns.

In recent years, Constellation has expanded the Corona brand with new products including Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Non-Alcoholic, and Corona Refresca. The brand continues to be the top-selling imported beer in the United States by volume.