Despite some single-digit declines in the past decade, the overall beer market has stabilized. However, the domestic beer segment still is combating volume declines as premiumization trends have hampered growth for sub-premium and premium beer segments. Brand owners are reconnecting with consumers to highlight differentiation, experts note. Continue Reading

With its premium positioning and a price point typically less than their craft beer counterparts, imported beers have seen case and dollar sales increase in the past year, analysts note. The import beer segment performed the best among all beer segments in the U.S. beer market in 2016 with Mexican beers posting double-digit growth in case and dollar sales. Continue Reading

After many years of double-digit gains in volume and dollar sales in the United States, the craft beer market could be approaching a status of maturation, according to analysts. This deceleration of growth for craft beer is being attributed to a variety of factors, including SKU proliferation and quality issues. However, bright spots for the segment include sour beers as well as international growth. Continue Reading

Although premiumization trends have provided growth for domestics through super-premium brands as well as import and craft beers, the hard cider segment has not been as fortunate as case and dollar sales were down in 2016, based on IRI data. Market research firms note that dry, hopped hard ciders and on-premise sales could be positives for the beer segment going forward. Continue Reading

In 2016, flavored malt beverages (FMBs) continued to post strong sales in both volume and dollars. Contributing to this growth were the hard soda and seltzer sub-segments. However, analysts caution that FMBs are likely to experience a deceleration of growth. Continue Reading

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