USA: The craft beer segment takes the lead with 17% growth in January-September 2006

A third quarter report from Information Resources Inc. tells a very good story for craft beer as tracked in off-premises sales outlets including grocery, drug, liquor and convenience stores.

Craft beer sales rose by 17% in January-September 2006 year-on-year, The Brewers Association said November 15. At the same time, the overall beer category grew by 1.9% in the same period while beer imports were up 10 percent.

According to the report, analysts attribute this trend to consumers continuing to trade up and demanding variety in beer flavor. Consequently, craft beer takes the lead in growth in all channels (grocery, drug, liquor, convenience.). Imported beer followed the craft beer segment in growth.

Craft sales growth in previous years:

2005 - 8%,
2004 - 5%
2003 - 2.3%

Most popular craft styles (with dollar share of total craft):
Pale Ale - 17.9%
Seasonal beers - 12.5%
Amber Ale - 11.2%
Amber Lager - 11.0%
Wheat Beers - 8.8%
IPA - 6.1%
Others - 32.5%

15 November, 2006