Reuters has an interesting two-minute video report called Beer Still Recession Proof?.
The upshot, according to the report, is that “the next hot area of growth is not in established light beers, they say, but in specialty craft beers that can command premium pricing, even in a recession.” The “next” hot area? Aren’t we already there, and haven’t we been there for awhile now? Craft beer’s been growing at double-digit rates for a few years now while macro brand growth has slowed considerably and in some cases has dipped into negatives. What about that is future tense?
One curious head-scratcher. Do people really not choose spirits because they’re too lazy to make a mixed drink themselves? That just sounds preposterous, but who knows?
Gee, I had to wait for the last sentence to hear that the craft beer sector is actually growing; and it may be the fist time I have sensed the big boys “licking their chops” to get it on the action…
Interestingly, the Wall Street Journal has an article today about upscale restaurants converting their dining rooms into bars with beer leading the way as the choice of beverages.