Corona

What Corona does

Corona is a Mexican beer brand founded in 1925, operated as a subsidiary brand of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev, which acquired Grupo Modelo in 2013). The portfolio consists of two core SKUs: Corona Original, a 4.5% ABV Pale Lager brewed from 100% natural ingredients (water, barley malt, corn, hops, and yeast), and Corona Cero, a 0.0% non-alcoholic variant launched in 2016 and marketed as the world's first alcohol-free beer containing vitamin D. The brand is positioned around an aspirational outdoor lifestyle anchored by the distinctive 'Ritual de la Lima' (lime ritual), in which consumers insert a lime wedge into the bottle neck before drinking.

The Spanish-market entity, GMODELO EUROPA, S.A.U. (headquartered at Calle Pradillo 5, 28002 Madrid), operates as a brand-management subsidiary with a reported 1-10 employees. Distribution in Spain is executed through Mahou San Miguel (online store at mahou-sanmiguel.com and physical retail), while internationally the brand leverages AB InBev's network to reach 150+ countries. Revenue is generated through wholesale and retail beer sales across off-premise (supermarkets, convenience stores) and on-premise (bars, restaurants, beach clubs) channels, with products sold directly to consumers via the Mahou San Miguel e-commerce store.

Brand activity is heavily experiential. The 'Sunset Spots' program designates 100 bars and restaurants across Spain as partner venues (in collaboration with Tripadvisor), the Corona Island destination delivers a permanent Caribbean experience, and the Velero Corona sailing program extends the lifestyle positioning along the Spanish coast. The company targets adult consumers (18+) seeking social, outdoor, and leisure drinking occasions, and in 2025 marked its 100-year centenary through multi-market campaigns including a 'certified by the sun' outdoor activation in Mexico.

Name

Corona

Legal name

GMODELO EUROPA, S.A.U.

Website

https://cervezacorona.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Corona is a Mexican beer brand owned by AB InBev, producing Pale Lager and non-alcoholic variants distributed in 150+ countries. It targets adult social drinkers through lifestyle branding anchored by the lime consumption ritual and beach/sunset experiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beer Manufacturing

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcoholic Beverage Brand Owners & Holding Companies (Multi-category Portfolios) (CRADAIAL), Functional Beverages (Vitamins, Probiotics, Nootropics, etc.) (CRADAHAL)

Keywords

• Mexican beer
• Pale lager
• Non-alcoholic beer
• Imported beer
• Lager brewing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lima

HQ country

Peru

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Corona Beer Sales: Corona generates revenue through the sale of its flagship beer product (Corona Extra) and its non-alcoholic variant (Corona Cero). Products are sold through retail channels (supermarkets, convenience stores, specialized beverage retailers) and on-premise channels (bars, restaurants, beach clubs). The brand is distributed globally in 150+ countries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Corona is a manufacturer and seller of Mexican Pale Lager beer. Its core offerings are the flagship Corona (4.5% ABV, 100% natural ingredients — water, barley malt, corn, hops, and yeast) and Corona Cero (0.0% alcohol, with vitamin D). Products are sold through retail (supermarkets, convenience stores), on-premise (bars, restaurants, beach clubs), and e-commerce (Mahou San Miguel online store) channels, distributed globally across 150+ countries.

Product overview

Corona is a Mexican beer brand offering two main products: Corona (original) and Corona Cero (non-alcoholic variant). Corona is a Pale Lager with 4.5% alcohol, made with natural ingredients (water, barley malt, corn, hops, yeast). Corona Cero is a 0.0% alcohol version with vitamin D. Both products share the brand's identity around disconnection, outdoor lifestyle, and the iconic 'ritual of the lime' (putting a lime wedge in the bottle). The products are distributed through Mahou San Miguel in Spain and are available for purchase through the online store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Corona Cero: A non-alcoholic beer made with 100% natural ingredients, designed for those who want to enjoy life with 0% alcohol.

Products and services

• Corona (Original) A Mexican Pale Lager beer, 100% natural, light and smooth in flavor, with 4.5% ABV, 11.3°P Original Extract, IBU of 18, and EBC color of 5.9. Recommended serving temperature is 3-6°C, typically enjoyed with a lime wedge inserted into the bottle (Ritual de la Lima). The flagship product and most sold Mexican beer in the world, available in 150+ countries, targeting adult consumers (18+) for social outdoor occasions.
• Corona Cero A non-alcoholic (0.0% ABV) Mexican beer made with 100% natural ingredients and containing vitamin D. Designed for consumers who want to enjoy the Corona lifestyle in 0% alcohol mode. The zero-alcohol Mexican beer most sold in the world.

Quantifiable outcome

• Most sold Mexican beer in the world, available in 150+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TripadvisorcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Tripadvisor collaborates with Corona on the Sunset Spots program, providing recommendations for the 100 best venues to enjoy sunsets across Spain. Tripadvisor's logo and endorsement appear on Sunset Spots promotional materials, and Justin Reid, Director EMEA at Tripadvisor, serves as a jury member for venue selection.
• Sunset Spots Partner Venues (100 bars and restaurants)coreGTM or Marketing Partner100 selected bars, restaurants, beach clubs, and hotels across Spain participate in Corona's Sunset Spots program as official venues for enjoying sunsets. Categories include 5 'Embajada' (flagship ambassadors), 25 'Oasis', and 70 'Sello' (seal) designations. Venues receive Corona branding and promotion in exchange for hosting Corona experiences.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Estrella Galicia: Leading Spanish premium beer competing with Corona on Spanish on-premise shelves; comparable as a domestic premium alternative in the Iberian market.
• Mahou: Spain's largest domestic brewer and Corona's local distribution partner in Spain; directly comparable as a Spanish-market beer competitor but regionally focused.

Direct peers

• Heineken: One of the world's largest premium beer brands and Corona's principal global rival for the premium imported beer occasion across Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Comparable positioning, scale, and global distribution.
• Stella Artois: Premium European lager with similar global-imported positioning and lifestyle-led marketing. Comparable premium-occasion consumer targeting in on-premise channels.
• Pacifico: Mexican pilsner-style beer (also owned by AB InBev via Grupo Modelo) with a similar beach-lifestyle positioning, directly targeting Corona's coastal occasion.
• Modelo Especial: Sister brand under AB InBev and direct Mexican-lager competitor; has overtaken Corona in US volume share and is the most direct head-to-head rival for the same consumer occasion.
• Peroni Nastro Azzurro: Premium European lager competing with Corona in the imported premium segment, with similar lifestyle branding and on-premise focus.
• Beck's: Premium imported lager with comparable positioning in markets where Corona competes, particularly in Europe and Latin America.
• Dos Equis: Mexican imported lager with comparable target demographic and on-premise focus; competes directly for the imported beer occasion in the US and other markets.

Broad incumbents

• Budweiser: AB InBev's flagship mass-market lager; competes with Corona on occasion-based consumption in many markets and shares distribution infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/corona_spain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/coronitatv
• Facebookfacebook.com/CoronaSpain
• Instagraminstagram.com/corona
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coronaperu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Corona