Market research
Craft beer volumes in the US on-trade have slipped this Autumn, according to latest figures.
//i4.progressivedigitalmedia.com/1/200539430-001.jpgBetween September and November this year, volumes among around 5,700 craft brands in the country fell by an average of 6% on the prior year, according to tracking firm Restaurant Sciences. Worst hit were “family dining establishments”, with volumes down by 13%, then “white tablecloth restaurants” where volumes slid by 10%. “Casual dining restaurants, bars and nightclubs” saw craft beer volumes down by 4% in the three months, the figures showed.
Around 70% of craft beer's decline was in draught volume sales, Restaurant Sciences said.
“The weakness in craft beer volume sales could be due to a number of factors,” said Chuck Ellis, president & CEO of Restaurant Sciences. “Consumers may be balking at price increases in the 3% to 7% range this Fall across restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
“Additionally, restaurants and bars may have reached a saturation point in adding new beers to an already hyper-competitive shelf or tap set.”
The number of craft beer brands sold in the US on-trade has fallen 19% compared to a year ago, the company said, although new brands are still being introduced “daily”.
Last month, Guestmetrics, another on-trade tracking firm, reported that big beer brands were still losing share to craft offerings in the US.
To read further analysis of the US craft beer sector, click here.
Sectors: Beer & cider, The on-trade
