It's no surprise that Americans love their beer.
In 2025, the global beer market is valued at $882.8 billion, up slightly from $851.15 billion in 2024. However, the beer market has cooled somewhat in the U.S., as sober culture grows among younger generations. According to the Brewers Association's annual production figures, craft beer production dropped by 4% in 2024. At the same time, 501 breweries closed while only 434 new breweries opened. These declines could be attributed to people drinking less, but with craft beer in particular, it may have something to do with economic concerns that have people tightening their belts. On top of that, President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all beer imports in April 2025, which leaves the industry braced for ongoing challenges.
In a struggling market filled with thousands of worthwhile contenders, beer loyalists can be picky about their preferences. Beer Advocate allows users to rank and leave comments on any beer commercially available, and critics who pick up on watery taste and over-carbonation do not mince words.
Ironically, many of the worst-ranked beers, including Corona Extra and Bud Light, are also the most bought nationwide. This could be because American drinking culture uniquely prizes low-quality, light-bodied beer that can be drunk quickly in large quantities. America has a more dysfunctional drinking culture than most other countries. The fraternity system and massive sporting events (not to mention tailgates) are just two examples of cultural staples that eschew other countries' fondness for moderation and pacing when drinking.
However, as recent craft beer sales indicate, tastes appear to be changing. Over the past decade, regional breweries have stolen a significant portion of national annual beer sales from global giants. In 2010, Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors (formerly MillerCoors), two of the largest beer companies in the world, comprised roughly 77% of total beer sales in the U.S. In 2024, their share was less than 60%. As tastes refine, average beer prices increase, reflecting consumer demand for a higher-quality product.
So, which beers are Americans "hate-drinking?" Stacker compiled a list of the worst-rated beers in the world, using ratings from Beer Advocate as of May 2024. This list was created by choosing those with the worst rank among beers with more than 100 ratings.
