Corona beer has been unfortunate enough to share a name with the novel coronavirus these last few months. Despite that, sales for the popular Mexican beer have not slowed down. Grupo Modelo is, however, ceasing production of the beer because of the virus.
This has nothing to do with the name, however. The Mexican government has deemed breweries to be non-essential businesses. As such, it has shut them down along with other non-essential activities until April 30. Like other countries that have taken similar actions, the shutdown is an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus across populations.
Should the Mexican government change its mind and deem breweries as essential, Anheuser-Busch InBev owned Grupo Modelo is ready to reopen, according to a statement.
Plenty of supply of Corona
The company that distributes Grupo Modelo’s beers throughout the United States, Constellation Brands, claims they have “ample supply to meet consumer demand,” according to CNN.
Over the past few weeks, beer, liquor, and wine sales in the United States have skyrocketed compared to last year. As reported by Newsweek, market research firm Nielsen has been tracking alcohol sales. For the week ending March 21, overall sales of alcoholic beverages increased by 55 percent from the same week in 2019. That spike in sales was lead by liquor, with a 75 percent increase, followed by beer with an increase of 66 percent. Wine also rose in sales by 42 percent compared to a year prior.
Vice President of Beverage Alcohol at Nielsen, Danelle Kosmal, said that week was likely the peak for alcohol demand. “Data for the week ending 28 March will be very telling, and I think it will be a better indicator of the new normal in how consumers are responding to the crisis and their new normal, centered around the home.”
However, if the trend continues, it’s a good thing Constellation Brands says they have plenty of supply of Corona to ride out coronavirus.
If you’re stuck inside trying to ride out coronavirus, check out our list of the top five JRPGs you should play during the pandemic. Be sure to also keep an eye out for our weekly news roundup of how coronavirus has affected the entertainment industry.