Beer Wasn't the Go-To Drink for 49ers Fans Watching the Big Game — Here's Why

The Super Bowl and a cold beer is one of those iconic duos that seemed like it would never go out of style, on par with other major holidays like Thanksgiving and turkey or the Fourth of July and apple pie. But hang on, because according to exclusive new data from Total Wine & More, the country’s largest independent retailer of fine wine, fans watching Super Bowl LVII in San Francisco bucked convention when it came to choosing their drinks in 2024, forgoing beers for canned cocktails instead. 

According to the retailer, the number one sold brand in the city of San Francisco (both in-store and via online delivery) from February 8 to February 11 (a time when many fans typically stock their kitchens and fridges to watch the big game) was Cutwater Spirits’ canned cocktail line. Specifically popular were Cutwater’s Tequila Lime Margarita, Vodka Mule, and Tiki Rum Mai Tai drinks. 

But Cutwater wasn’t the only non-beer drink San Francisco fans reached for during the game. The data also shows that one of the most popular brands purchased in the city during the same time period was Buzzballz, known for its ready-to-drink cocktails, including the Tequila Rita and Strawberry Rita, both of which are inspired by flavored Margaritas. As for actual beer brands, Modelo, Coors, and Corona all ranked highly this year.

“[Ready to Drinks] are approachable, convenient, and continue to evolve in styles available and packaging options,” Andrea Starr, senior director of merchandising at Total Wine & More, shared with Food & Wine over email. “We are finding that shoppers like to explore this area, trying new products and flavors frequently.”

Interestingly enough, Bud Light, the official beer of the National Football League (NFL) didn’t make it into the top five purchased brands for San Francisco or Kansas City viewers. According to new data from BeerBoard, the draft volume of Bud Light declined an astonishing 31.8% year-over-year, placing further emphasis on the brand's decline in consumer popularity. 

Meanwhile, fans of the winning team, the Kansas City Chiefs, showed local pride with their beverage choices for the game. The most popular brand shopped in Kansas City leading up to the Super Bowl was Boulevard Brewing, whose home base is right in Kansas City. Other popular beer choices included Yuengling and Michelob, though it’s worth noting that Crown Royal Canadian whisky was also a preferred pick for Chiefs fans.