Beer Market Continues to Grow

Researchers are beginning to release sales and volume figures for 2011 beer sales in America and initial figures look promising.  The total USA beer sales increased by nearly 2% to $98.94Billion.  The Beer Institute reported that most of this growth was a result of strong performance by craft beer, imports, and premium beers.  Restaurants and bars (up 3% to $55Billion) witnessed increased demand despite a poor economy, while 'off-premise' stores such as convenience, liquor and supermarkets grew less than 1% or $43Billion.


Meanwhile, demand for Bud-Miller Coors domestic beers remain weak.  Several analysts believe this is a direct result of the poor economy in that it is primarily the middle income consumers that buy these beers, and many have felt the challenges of this recession. 

Although over all volume decreased 1.5% to 202.6Million Barrels (2.9Billion cases), we are happy to report, beer remains the #1 most popular alcoholic beverage in America.

More on State of the Beer Market

Earlier this month we reported on the reduction of sales in the USA for the big four world leaders; Anheuser-Bush, Miller, Heineken, and Carlsberg.  More 2011 figures have been confirmed and we thought we would share these with our readers.
-2011 beer shipments were the lowest since 2003
-Worldwide, beer shipments down 2.9Million barrels (nearly 40Million cases) or 1.4% from 2010
-Budweiser shipments fell 2.9Million barrels (2.9%) to less than 100Million barrels (actual 98.8Million).             
This is the first time Anheuser-Busch dropped below 100Million in 10 years!
-MillerCoors shipments fell 3% to less than 60Million barrels
-ABInbev USA market share reduced to 47%, and MillerCoors now at 28.5%
-Heineken USA shipments fell 4%
-Craft beer continues to increase in volume and market share in USA
-Yuengling sales grew 16.9%  (now USA largest brewery)
-Boston Beer (Brews Sam Adams) increased 8%
-2011 ended with over 1800 operating breweries and nearly 700 in planning!