The outbreak of the COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus or the Wuhan pneumonia has created definite panic around the world. The economy has been affected for sure, with stocks plummeting and China fearing that the virus could further affect its trade with India.
The virus outbreak has also resulted in an unusual effect— Americans have been avoiding Corona beer, says a survey conducted by 5W Public Relations. The survey found that 38 per cent of Americans would not order a Corona beer "under any circumstances" because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Sales of the Mexican beer, that shares its name with the deadly virus, has taken a hit. Out of the 700 beer drinkers who were surveyed, 16 per cent said they were not sure whether the virus is related to Corona beer, while 14 per cent said they would not order the beer in public.
The timing, however, could not be worse for Constellation Brands, makers of the beer, as they plan to launch a seltzer soon.
Soon after reports of beer sales dropping came out, the company came out with a report that said the popular beer, Corona Extra remained strong in the US even amid rapid global spread of the coronavirus. According to a spokesperson of Constellation brands, the media reports of beers sales being impacted were false.
"We've seen no impact to our people, facilities or operations and our business continues to perform very well," Chief Executive Officer Bill Newlands said in a statement. He also added that the beer had no exposure in the Chinese market, the country that has been worst affected by the outbreak of the virus.
In the meantime, here's an interesting fact about the popular drink. The beer, that was initially brewed in Mexico in 1925, has a setting sun on its label, guarded by a Mediterranean mythical creature called Griffins. Corona in Spanish mean crown and the Griffins are 'the sacred creatures of the sun'.
