Beer … mmmm … good

The beer industry posted its third consecutive year of increased volume last year climbing 0.5%, according to the Beverage Information Group.

“However, the landscape of the industry changed dramatically and results for the first half of 2009 have not been as positive as originally forecast,” the group noted in a statement.

Beer industry facts released by the Norwalk, Conn.-based group include:
• The growth of the distilled spirits and wine industries continues to take market share away from beer industry, albeit at a slower rate in 2008 than previously.

• Light beer sales hav grown to become the largest beer segment controlling more than half of the beer market. Last year’s successful launch of Bud Light Lime helped the Light beer segment gain 2.1%.

• "Lights have gained ground continuously since their arrival almost 30 years ago and show no signs of slowing down," says Eric Schmidt, manager of information services for the Beverage Information Group. "Light is forecast to grow 2.0% on an annual compound growth rate over the next five years."

• The popular beer (non-premium) segment benefited as consumers “traded down” during the recession, with popular beers seeing the first upturn in more than 20 years with a 0.3% gain to 232.6 million cases.

• Another direct result of trading down can be seen in the decline of imported beer, which lost 5.4% to 386.1 million cases last year.

• Not all is lost for imports. The Beverage Information Group predicts import sales will slowly recover over the next five years as the economy emerges from the recession.