Are you looking for the top 10 largest alcoholic beverage companies? You have come to the right place. The alcoholic beverage industry is one of the largest and most active industries worldwide. From beer and wine to spirits and traditional liquors, alcoholic drinks are enjoyed across cultures.
Behind these popular beverages are powerful companies that operate on a large scale. But when it comes to choosing an alcoholic beverage company to partner with, many get confused. That’s why, in this article, I will explore some of the largest alcoholic companies. These alcoholic beverage companies dominate worldwide for their quality and experience. So let’s get started and discuss their key details.
Top 10 Largest Alcoholic Beverage Companies
As I mentioned earlier, alcoholic beverage companies have grown into global giants. Therefore, finding the right company that matches your business requirements becomes tricky. That’s why I have shortlisted some famous alcoholic beverage companies that you can trust. Here is the list of the top 10 alcoholic beverage companies.
1- Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd.
Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. is one of the most famous alcoholic beverage companies in the world. The company was founded in 1951 and is based in Maotai Town, Guizhou Province, China. Due to such extensive experience, it is the most profitable alcohol company. It is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and is regarded as a leader in the premium spirits segment.
What makes Kweichow Moutai truly unique is its traditional brewing process. For example, their Moutai alcohol is made using sorghum and wheat. Additionally, the production cycle involves multiple rounds of fermentation. Lastly, the liquor is aged before it ever reaches a bottle. This long, complex process is the main reason it gives its alcohol a premium taste.
2- Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev)
Anheuser-Busch InBev is the world’s largest alcoholic beverage company. Founded in 2008, this company is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium. It might sound like this brand has no experience, but they have made excellent progress in their journey. Additionally, this brand was created by merging two companies, which is the key reason for its superb performance.
It produces several local and regional beers and serves about 150 countries. In producing these beers, this company uses advanced technology. Why? This helps in maintaining quality. One of its outstanding achievements is its use of data and AI in beer-making and distribution. The company runs one of the biggest beer-focused digital platforms in the world.
3- Diageo plc
Diageo plc is known for its excellent dealers and distributors, available almost everywhere in the world. This enables the brand to operate and deliver high-quality alcohol, spirits, and beer in over 180 countries. You can buy their alcoholic products no matter if you’re in Asia, Europe, or the USA. Founded in 1997, this brand has its headquarters in London and is considered a reliable UK brand.
What makes this company stand out is its investment in developing new alcoholic and non-alcoholic products. These products are made to meet customers’ needs. Diageo has a diverse brand portfolio. For example, it owns some of the world’s most iconic names, including.
- Baileys
- Smirnoff
- Guinness
- Tanqueray
- Johnnie Walker
4- Heineken N.V
Heineken N.V. is a popular brand that has around 165 breweries in 70 countries. This means they have production facilities in all those countries where demand for alcoholic products is high. It was founded in 1864 by Gerard Adriaan Heineken and has a global presence. It won’t be wrong to say that this brand controls the liquor market of many countries.
Heineken N.V. has over 89,264 employees who continue to work to achieve high production targets. The demand for their liquor is very high, keeping their distilleries busy year-round. The headquarters of this company is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The taste of their liquors is the same regardless of where they are produced.
5- Constellation Brands, Inc.
Constellation Brands is a well-established American brand that has made progress since its early days. Interestingly, it was founded in 1945 and sold over 200,000 gallons of wine in the very first year after launch. This shows early customer trust in the brand’s wine.
Marvin Sands founded this company; however, it has had several CEOs over the years. The company is headquartered today in Victor, New York, but offers its products worldwide. However, their alcoholic products, including wines, are a bit more expensive, which is a drawback. It is currently considered a respected brand in beer, wine, and spirits.
6- Luzhou Laojiao Co., Ltd.
Luzhou Laojiao Co., Ltd. is among the most renowned and oldest alcohol manufacturers in China. This brand was founded back in 1950 and offers high-quality alcoholic drinks (baijiu). With over 75 years of experience, Luzhou Laojiao Co., Ltd. stands out among Chinese alcohol producers. Are you from China? If so, consider this brand for your baijiu needs.
In the past, this company was restricted in terms of its investments in China. However, things have changed, as they are now looking for a global presence. In 2019, Luzhou Laojiao became a sponsor of the Australian Open tennis tournament. This sponsorship will last for 5 years, which is expected to give this brand international exposure.
7- Pernod Ricard S.A.
Pernod Ricard S.A. is also a worldwide leader in high-end spirits and wines. Situated in Paris, France, it was established in 1975. The company was formed through the merger of Pernod and Ricard. As a result, the name of this brand is “Pernod Ricard”, indicating the names of both groups that merged.
Notably, this company has a large production facility for all alcoholic products. Consequently, Pernod Ricard offers beverages for every occasion and palate. Paul Ricard founded this brand. The current CEO of this brand is Alexandre Ricard, who is steering it in the right direction. The total number of employees at Pernod Ricard is over 19,480.
8- Carlsberg Group
Carlsberg Group owns over 180 brands with a worldwide presence. It was founded in Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark, by J.C. Jacobsen. It is one of the oldest producers of alcoholic beverages, and its expertise lies in beer production. This brand, which started in 1847, has over 150 years of experience.
During this journey, the Carlsberg Group saw ups and downs. However, they never compromised on their beer, which made them successful as a unit. Currently, the company offers its alcoholic products in over 150 countries. So, you’ll be able to buy their beverages wherever you are. Jacob Aarup-Andersen is the current CEO of this brand.
9- Brown-Forman Corporation
Brown-Forman Corporation is one of the oldest brand-based companies in America. This family-owned beverage company has over 150 years of experience. George Garvin Brown founded this brand, whose mission was to deliver high-quality liquor worldwide.
Brown-Forman Corporation operates in over 170 countries, fulfilling the founder’s dream. They focus on each step of whiskey and other beverage production through their dedicated quality control team. This ensures that customers receive liquor at slightly higher prices than other brands from China or other countries.
10- Molson Coors Beverage Company
Molson Coors is a multinational brewing company founded in February 2005. Interestingly, it came into existence through the merger of two popular brands. Molson Brewing was a Canadian company founded back in 1786. On the other hand, Coors Brewing Company was an American company started in 1873.
Both of these brands were merged, forming Molson Coors Brewing Company. The headquarters of this brand are located in two countries, i.e., the USA (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) and Canada (Montreal, Quebec, Canada). In 2016, this brand also acquired Miller Brewing Company for $12 billion. This indicates the profitability of Molson Coors, and it is continuously expanding. The beer produced by this brand is well known and is its most prominent alcoholic product.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Any Alcoholic Beverage Company
The beverage companies mentioned above are trusted. This means you can choose any of them without worrying. However, there are a few things you must check before choosing any brand. This will ensure you don’t get scammed later and get a high-quality alcoholic beverage for your needs:
- First, order a sample of the liquor before buying in bulk. This will ensure you don’t trust blindly and get the liquor whose taste impresses you.
- Each of the companies mentioned above offers different alcoholic products. Some are better at beer production, while others offer all types of liquor. You should contact their team and ask about the kind of alcohol product that they produce.
- I don’t favor the companies that offer alcoholic beverages at very high prices. You should look for brands that balance cost and liquor quality.
- Remember, alcoholic drinks are of two types. Drinks with higher alcohol content are stronger, and the opposite is true for light alcoholic beverages. You must order the drink type that best suits your needs and preferences.
- It is recommended to check the availability of the liquor type you want. Additionally, you should consider whether the company you choose has a distribution network. Those brands with a distribution network can ship your liquor bottles to your doorstep.
Conclusion
Let’s wrap up – the companies discussed in this article are pioneers in the alcoholic beverage sector. However, not all those companies offer the same high-quality beverages. So, when you want to start a beverage business, it can be pretty tricky to find the most reliable beverage company. That’s why, in this article, I have discussed the top 10 alcoholic beverage companies worldwide.