Corona beer has taken its share of unfair knocks as the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has spread worldwide. Now it’s at risk of becoming a victim of the virus.
Grupo Modelo, the maker of the beer and a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, announced it was halting production and marketing of Corona after the Mexican government ordered all nonessential businesses to close.
The shutdown also impacts the production of Modelo and Pacifico beers.
Mexico has ordered nonessential companies to remain closed until April 30 as it tries to curb the virus’s spread. Grupo Modelo is working with the government to be qualified as essential and says it is proceeding with a plan to “guarantee the supply of beer” worldwide. It does not expect shortages in the short term.
Corona has been the subject of plenty of jokes since the outbreak began, but sales of the beer were actually on the rise as of late February, according to Bart Watson, chief economist of the Brewers Association.
While plenty of people are enjoying adult beverages as they stay at home, the outbreak has not been good for beer sales so far. Several brewers have been forced to close plants, and craft breweries and craft beer bars, which rely on foot traffic, have seen massive sales shortfalls.
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