Yesterday was Labor Day in the United States, where many of our readers are based.

Clearly Americans like their beer—but they're not alone. The fermented alcoholic drink powers a multibillion-dollar industry enjoyed practically the world over. And Latin America is well represented in the production line.

Bar chart comparing the world's top beer producers, showing Latin American countries are well represented in global production | Sources: BarthHaas, Latinometrics
The world's top beer producers

But let's look now to Mexico, which has far overcome its production ranking to become the world's largest beer exporter since 2010.

Line graph comparing beer export value across several countries, showing Mexico has been the world's top beer exporter since 2010 | Sources: UN Comtrade, Latinometrics
Mexico has been the world's top beer exporter since 2010

Driven by world-renowned brands such as Corona and Modelo, Mexico's beer exports are on fire, reaching nearly $6B and counting in revenue last year. It would appear that the country has left historical European beer powerhouses like Belgium, Germany, or the Netherlands entirely in the dust.

Due mainly to the insatiable US demand for beer, Mexico now dominates over a third of the world's $17B beer-export industry. Not bad for a country more known for its tequila or mezcal.

Treemap comparing global beer export values by country, showing Mexico dominates over a third of the world's beer exports | Sources: UN Comtrade, Latinometrics
Mexico accounts for 35% of the world's $17B beer exports

So this Labor Day, we hope you cracked open a cold one or two (please drink responsibly) and bought some quality Mexican beer; perhaps it was a Modelo, now the top-selling beer in the United States. The country may not be the world's largest foamy drink producer—but it's clearly reaping the most economic benefits today.