Corona Adding New Wheat Contender with Sunbrew
February 26 – Corona appears to be adding the first wheat beer to their lineup in the United States, according to regulatory filings. Corona Sunbrew Citrus Cerveza is a “beer brewed with real citrus peels and coriander, with a splash of real citrus juice,” according to the label filed with the federal Tax and Trade Bureau.
The formula matches the typical components of a Belgian Wit, a style currently dominated by Molson Coors‘ Blue Moon and Tilray Brands‘ Shock Top. Last year, the latter was sold to Tilray by Anheuser-Busch InBev, which soon filled the hole in their portfolio with the introduction of Belgian White under their Golden Road brand. Constellation Brands, which owns the rights to Corona in the United States, so far has no entrant in the category, making this new brand extension their first.
The name Corona Sunbrew is also used for a non-alcoholic beer in Canada, Europe, and Mexico where it is advertised as “the world’s first non-alcoholic beer with vitamin D.” In those regions, however, the brand is controlled by Anheuser-Bush InBev, which holds rights to the former Grupo Modelo assets outside of the United States.
Constellation has made no public announcements about the beer yet. Filings show the beer is 4.5% ABV, with 183 calories per serving. It is currently approved to sell in 12oz bottles and 1/4 bbl kegs.