1. Boston Beer

The Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM) is an alcohol stock that represents the owner of craft beer brands like Samuel Adams, Angry Orchard and Dogfish Head. It primarily sells its brands in the United States. Although they do have some distribution overseas.

The firm has two major segments: Boston Beer Company and A&S Brewing. The former’s alcohol portfolio includes Sam Adams, Angry Orchard and Truly Spiked & Sparkling. The latter includes The Traveler Beer Company, Coney Island Brewing Company and Angel City Brewery, among others.

Though Boston Beer’s stock has declined from its April 21 peak, when it hit just under $1,300, it has been steadily declining since then, but has remained relatively stable recently. It currently trades around $390.

In Q2 2022, Boston Beer earned a net income of $53.3 million on $616 million in revenue for a margin of 8.66%. On the year, it earned $14.6 million on $2.06 billion in revenue.

As people continue to turn to craft brews over traditional beers like Budweiser, Coors and Miller, Boston Beer company’s staples like Sam Adams beer may continue to perform well. In the long run, Boston Beer Company will remain a strong brand especially with younger folks who are picky about their beers.

2. Brown-Forman Corp.

Brown-Forman Corp. (NYSE: BF-B) is an alcohol stock that represents one of the largest wine and spirits firms in the United States. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Brown-Forman owns brands like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Woodford Reserve and Korbel.

And the company’s assortment of liquor extends well beyond just whiskey and wine into vodka (Finlandia), tequila (Don Eduardo) and even liqueur (Chambord).

Unlike so many stocks, Brown-Forman has had a solid rebound from the pandemic. It has seen itself rebound nicely since late March 2020, climbing from a low of $44.68 to about $75 presently.

Fiscal year 2022 saw Brown-Forman earn a net income of $838 million on revenue of $3.9 billion, representing a steady increase over 2020 and 2021.

The strong branding power of lines like Jack Daniels should continue to give Brown-Forman a leg up over its distillery competition. And while the other names in this list tend to focus on beer, it may be good to diversify into these other alcohol products.

3. Anheuser-Busch

Budweiser, brought to you by Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD), is one of America’s most recognizable brands. But did you know it has a 38% share of the American market? That’s big business.

According to expert Bryan Bottarelli of Monument Trader Alliance’s wildly successful War Room, bars and restaurants reopening is going to be a big plus for Anheuser-Busch stock. That’s because the stock price has been hammered by these closures to sit well below where it would in normal times.

When it comes to my personal choice in beers to drink, I’ll stick with Guinness, thank you very much. But when it comes to the best stocks to buy during this downturn, I’m listening closely to what Bryan Bottarelli has to say about this alcohol stock.

4. Molson Coors

According to my colleague and dividend safety expert Rob Otman, his suggestion is to imbibe Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP) stock for its highly attractive dividend, which is relatively safe.

Molson Coors is the world’s seventh largest brewer by volume. It is the product of a former merger between Coors of the Rocky Mountains and Molson of Canada. The latter is especially well-known to my fellow alum from Binghamton University circa the early 2000s (Binghamton, New York, is not that far from Canada, after all).

Over the last 10 years, Molson Coors has seen its dividend grow to $1.52. Meanwhile, the dividend yield is 2.81%, as the price of Coors stock has been hampered during this downturn. Year to date, the stock is down from a high of $60.11 in May to around $55 currently for a decline of nearly 10%.

Just as Anheuser-Busch may get a significant boost from the reopening of social life in the United States and elsewhere, the same is true of Molson Coors. Plus, you get the sweetener of a stable and safe dividend to increase your income.

Even if Molson Coors stock does continue to struggle in the near term, it remains a good bet for a long-term play. So now remains an excellent time to lock in your high dividend yield while the share price of this alcohol stock is still beaten down.