Beer Gets Crafty

Microbrews and craft beer spike sharply, as traditional favorites see declines

Interest in microbrews and craft beer continued its precipitous rise last year, with a major increase in sales. Premium brews still generated the most dollars, while super-premium beer and flavored malt beverages also saw positive results. Overall, malt beverage sales per store posted a slight uptick.

Numerous suppliers are now experimenting with packaging changes, including both label and container redesigns. Consumers are also showing more interest in artisanal products, with beer replacing wine as the top alcoholic beverage for young women, and craft beer projected to triple sales by 2017.