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CHERYL GLASER: It may seem a bit early in the morning to be asking this, but indulge me: What’s the top imported beer here in the US? Heineken? Amstel? Nope, it’s Corona. And now the Mexican brewer wants to streamline the way its suds make it to local convenience stores. Franc Contreras has more.

FRANC CONTRERAS: Corona’s slick ad campaigns always show two people of the opposite sex enjoying their cold ones with a twist of line. But the beer’s maker, Mexico’s Grupo Modelo seems to think two is too many.

For years, the company relied on two US distributors to import Corona to the four corners of America. But yesterday Grupo Modelo announced a $150 million joint venture with New York based Constellation Brands, making it Corona’s sole US distributor.

Beer writer Greg Glaser says deal could make the champion import even bigger.

GREG GLASER: It’s a hot brand. People like it, and it just keeps selling really well. So I think the efficiency of one importer can’t do anything but help that:

Beverage industry analysts also think the move could put Grupo Modelo in a position to import its brands to other foreign markets.

In Mexico City, I’m Franc Contreras for Marketplace.