Beer sales are up. What can that inform us about the economy?
Even though seltzer sales saw an uptick final year, craft beer sales declined.
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In February, the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s beer purchasers’ index showed an boost in total beer sales year more than year. Segments like sub-premium beers — feel Keystone and Pabst Blue Ribbon — as effectively as seltzers saw upticks. Meanwhile, the craft segment suffered the biggest decline across the board.
“Craft beer on a entire we’ve noticed an eight% reduce [in sales]. But we’ve noticed basically a 7% boost in import and domestic, so a lot of cost-conscious shoppers are out there,” mentioned Jason Perkins, owner of Perk’s Beer and Beverage in Scarborough, Maine.
Due to the fact opening 4 years ago, Perkins has noticed that beer-only drinkers are a lot more prepared to broaden their horizons.
“Fifteen years ago, or even most likely significantly less than that, it is if you are a beer drinker, you are a beer drinker,” Perkins mentioned. “And that does not seriously exist any longer. With the younger people today coming by way of now, exactly where it is, you know, a standard evening could be a beer, seltzer and a cocktail or a beer, seltzer and a glass of wine.”
To listen to Perkins’ story, click the audio player above.
