Imports shipments still in the sweet spot: up another 241,000 bbls, 10.1% in Aug. Shipments from Mexico, Canada, Netherlands and Belgium all up double-digits. But whacked in Aug: shipments from Germany and Ireland (down 20% or more). UK shipments down too. For 8 mos, imports up 1.9 mil bbls, 11%. That’s about same volume gain as domestic taxpaid shipments. So total US shipments picture still pretty rosy: +3.9 mil bbls, 2.8% for 8 mos. Virtually unanimous that Sep retail was horrible, at least for AB and Miller, and not so hot for others. But unclear if that will be reflected in Sep shipments number. With top brewers’ shipments runnin’ ahead of STRs, question remains how much will be given back in last qtr, assuming retail trend doesn’t bounce back. Jan-Aug imports especially strong from Mexico (+1 mil bbls, 13%) and Netherlands (+685,000 bbls, 17%). Then too, Canadian shipments up solid 167,000 bbls, 8% YTD, following 4 straight yrs when shipments from north of border declined. Howzatt? Canadian brands ain’t doin’ much better, but turns out Coors has been shipping Blue Moon into several states from Canada. And some of Canadian gain probably Guinness brands. UK and Irish shipments flattish and down 10% respectively. After big hit in Aug, German shipments down 60,000 bbls, 7% YTD. But Belgian shipments jumped 112,000 bbls, 46%.