CRAFT & IMPORTS DOMINATE

TOGETHER CRAFT and imported beers are packing quite the 1-2 punch. New figures show the two segments continuing to take volume share from regular and light beers in the US on-trade – quickly moving towards accounting for half of the market. Craft and imported combined are expected to account for 46% of total on-premise beer volume this year, a ten-percentage point increase from 2O11, according to Technomic Inc’s 2O15 BarTAB Report. Craft is expected to repeat last year’s 12% volumes gain, while import growth is being driven by Mexican brands, the report said. With craft and imported on the rise, competition between the two categories is expected to increase, particularly as imports join the fight for tap handles.