16 Beverage Dynamics •September/October 2014
www.beveragedynamics.com
B
eer is the adult beverage of choice in the U.S., according
to a recent Gallup poll. The study found that 41% of
participants typically drink beer; 31% drink wine and
23% consume liquor.
Americans' current preference for beer is among the highest
Gallup has recorded since beer fell to 36% in 2005. Still, total beer
consumption slipped 1.6% in 2013 to 2.8 billion 2.25-gallon cases,
according to the Beverage Information Group, the research unit of
Beverage Dynamics' parent company.
Light beer, which still commands a 49%
share of the total beer category, was down
4.1% in 2013, while malt liquor fell 3.2%
from 2012. Consumption of popular beers dropped 2.7%, and
superpremium and premium domestic beers decreased 2.2%.
So where is the growth? Primarily in craft brews, ciders, and
specialty beverages. Craft beer consumption, for instance, increased
14%, about the same percentage as the previous year.
Ciders, which are included in our Beer Growth Brands, posted
tremendous growth overall. The cider category's consumption was
up a whopping 66%, reaching 16.8 million 2.25-gallon cases in 2013.
Thanks largely to the Bud Light Lime-a-Rita phenomenon, fl a-
vored malt beverage consumption was up 2.7%, though that's not
quite as robust as the category's 7.8% increase for the previous year.
Still, with all the new fl avors and styles of beer products, the beer
industry continues to be driven by new releases.
Beverage Dynamics' exclusive report on Beer Growth Brands, the fastest-selling brews in the U.S.
BY MELISSA
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Beer (and Cider) Here!
