Nielson, the marketing survey company, just reported on current beer sales and confirmed that craft beer is still growing, despite overall beer sales declining in the USA. The report reviewed strong overall summer beer sales, although off-premise continued to be slower than normal. Craft beers enjoyed a 16.8% increase by volume and an 18% increase in sales dollars for 52 weeks, ending September 17. The average case of craft beer is now $31.72. Note, craft beer only makes up 5% of the total USA beer market.
Neilson further commented on imported beers and that they too have declined 1.1%, while overall domestic beer volume in USA declined by 1.7%. Of interest, is the 'below premium' beer (selling at $14.65/case average) fell by a whopping 3.9%. Among the imports which was an exception were the Belgium beers, lead by Stella Artois - this country's imports actually increased for the same 52 weeks by 26% ! Although overall total beer sold in USA declined by volume, but dollar sales increased by 0.8%. The average price for a case of beer rose 2.3% and is now $19.74/case.
Overall alcohol (beer, wine, spirits) prices, according to the US Consumer Price Index, rose 1.4% for the year through September. Overall, off-premise pricing for all alcohol was flat and on-premise increased by 3.5%. By category, beer pricing increased 2.3% for on-premise and + 1.3% for off-premise.
What's Brewing at the Charter Oak Brewery. The Northeast's newest regional beer brewery. Charter Oak Brewing Company (COBC) is a craft beer brewery which is based in Connecticut featuring hand crafted innovate beers such as Brown Ale, Pale Ales, IPA, and several seasonal, more robust beers. It is a brewery, like the Charter Oak legend, that stands firm on not conforming to the masses, but rather standing for our belief. Our mission is to brew the very best and freshest craft beer.
3 comments:
The hard working craft beer brewers deserve to enjoy the growth. They work their tails off and the growth in the craft beer segment only makes sense. I would bet that within the next 5 years, craft beer could well increase beyond the 5% of the over all market and close in on 10%. I see more and more restaurants and bars now carrying a wider selection of craft beers and many are beginning to allocate a draft handle. ALL GOOD - CHEERS!!!!
BTW. How did a paper guy get into the beer world?
Sept '11 figures just out. Beer for month down over 7% from August to 17,541 barrels for the month. Top states - CALF, TX, FL, NY PA vols. about equal sales vs. Aug. Agree with your report, overall Y/Y beer sales down, and trending down for all of 2011.
Craft beers are the singing hero!
Just reading Sam Adams reported record earnings for third quarter for both dollars and barrels. Let's hope the craft beer market continues to grow ... I fear lots of new capacity let's hope the demand supports this!
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