Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics Sept-Oct

Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/172332

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 29 of 55

BY JULIE JOHNSON ighty years ago this past spring, President Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act into law, the first step in rolling back the 13-year disaster known as National Prohibition. The Act legalized the sale of beer with an alcohol content by weight of 3.2%. Restoring beer to American drinkers was overwhelmingly popular, and underscored beer's place as the beverage for the American Everyman. The past several years have subjected Everyman to some painful shocks, denting the spending power of the beer market's most loyal demographic groups. At the same time, the consumer's preferences seem to be shifting to more flavorful beverages, such as craft and import E JULIE JOHNSON is co-owner and contributing editor at All About Beer Magazine. beers that can be justified as an "affordable luxury" in tight times. With the economy seemingly in recovery, it's hard to say whether the changes in consumer behavior brought on by tough times will be permanent. But the entire beer industry is behaving as if they will. Sales Trends otal U.S. beer consumption in 2012 was virtually unchanged from the year before (Figures from The Beverage Information Group). Mainstream categories—whether super-premium, premium, light, popular or malt liquor—lost volume across the board, with the super-premium and premium category and malt liquor falling by 3.1 and 3.0%, respectively. By contrast, imports grew by 1.5%, flavored malt beverages by 7.8%, and the craft beer sector by 14.6%. T 30 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • September/October 2013

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Beverage Dynamics - Beverage Dynamics Sept-Oct