Overview: The Boston-based brewer has secured the highest positive recommendation score among all alcoholic beverage brands in America according to the new YouGov U.S. Most Recommended Brands 2026 report. This achievement places Samuel Adams ahead of major competitors including Guinness and Stella Artois, as well as top spirits like Don Julio Tequila.
The Full Story
The study analyzed positive recommendation scores collected among current customers between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Samuel Adams achieved an 88.7% score, edging out Guinness at 88.6% and Stella Artois at 88.5%. The top ten list also included Don Julio Tequila, Blue Moon, Johnnie Walker Scotch, 1800 Tequila, Hennessy, Heineken, and Jameson.
While macro lagers retained overall dominance in the industry, the landscape has felt the squeeze as consumer tastes shift following the craft beer explosion of previous years. Michelob Ultra has risen to No. 1 in sales by volume while Modelo Especial is No. 1 for retail dollar sales and the three major macros remain in the top 10 in both.
Brand & Industry History
Samuel Adams helped popularize craft beer in the 1980s and ‘90s, becoming for many people the first widely-available alternative to the dominant macro brews such as Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light. The brand got squeezed from both sides as it grew with the small craft scene exploding across the country and the macros retaining their spot at the top of the market.
What This Means
Strong brands are not built on visibility alone, according to YouGov SVP Ryan Gross in the report. They earn trust by consistently delivering products, services, and experiences that customers are willing to endorse. Sam’s staying power likely owes itself to maintaining a national advertising presence. The company also regularly rolls out new seasonal offerings, including Apple Spice Ale this fall.
Over the summer, Sam Adams tried to tap into the America 250 celebration with a release of its Brewer Patriot Collection.
Consumer Takeaway
This release offers the drinker assurance of strong overall brand awareness and trust within a crowded market. The data highlights that consumers are willing to endorse specific brands like Samuel Adams despite the shifting landscape where Michelob Ultra leads in volume and Modelo Especial leads in retail dollar sales.
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