Beer Trends Improving On-Premise

Tho still down, sales, volume and pricing trends for beer improved during latest 4 wks thru Apr 21 vs Q1 trends in bars and restaurants according to GuestMetrics. Beer volumes “were still negative with a 3.1% decline,” thru Apr 21 but that’s “an improvement from the 4.8% decline,” in Q1, noted Peter Reidhead, vp of Strategy and Insights. Beer/price mix was up 3.9% vs +3.6% in Q1. That was just behind spirits pricing gain of 4% but higher than 1.8% price gain for wine. Total on-premise alcohol volumes were off 2.2% in latest 4 wks; up from 3.4% decline in Q1. Alcohol sales increased 1.8% on-premise with price/mix up 4%, improving on 3.1% price gain in Q1. Spirits volumes were down (-2.4%) but that’s up from 3.5% drop in Q1, while wine volume was up 1.5% last 4 wks on strength of performance in “fine dining” as its volumes were “still quite soft” in bars/nightclubs and casual restaurants. These overall trends in Apr are “a positive sign for the sector as we head further into the year,” said ceo Bill Pecoriello.

Goose Island Thriving, Not Diving, After AB Deal

Goose Island Brewing Co. continues to thrive 2 yrs after being sold to Anheuser-Busch as it benefits from size and expertise of big brewer, execs have said recently. There are “no constraints on their creativity,” mktg veep Paul Chibe told Beer Insights Spring Conference. If AB keeps the “authenticity, keeps the quality” that “will be a success,” he added. “Anheuser-Busch is letting us do our own thing,” ceo Andy Goeler earlier assured Crain’s Chicago Business. “Facial hair and t-shirts still prevail” on production floor, noted Crain’s. “I’m not getting directives,” said Andy. Instead Goose Island is putting to use the advantages of AB’s experience and clout. “We’ve gone well over a year without a lost-time injury,” pointed out brewmaster Brett Porter. Prior to AB deal, “we had four in one year,” said Brett. Goose is taking advantage of AB’s clout and cash too. “We wanted special hops from Poland, so I picked up the phone. There’s nothing like having a little clout,” he added.

New Radio Deal with National Exposure With AB taking Goose Island brands to all 50 states now, Goose Island needs wide reach, and just inked its “first national sponsorship deal,” reported Chicago Business Journal. Goose Island will be sponsor of Chicago Public Media’s “Sound Options” music-focused show hosted by local music critics Gret Kot and Jim DeRogatis. One-year deal gives Goose Island exposure in 160 mkts on show that reaches audience of “more than” 400K listeners each wk. At least one edition of show will be taped at Goose Island’s barrel warehouse in coming yr as well. Meanwhile, Goose sales rockin’. It passed 200K bbls in 2012 and on track to hit 300K in 2013.

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