Temperature-Controlling Ale Containers – The Ice Core Beer Pitcher…
With summer right around the corner, beer enthusiasts and beach-goers would be wise to invest in the Ice Core Beer Pitcher.
Blur star to brew beer
The Blur bassist is extending his farm business by making it into a brewery, although there is no notice of when the brew will be ready to drink.
Anheuser-Busch bounces back in first quarter on strong Bud Light Platinum launch
Anheuser-Busch InBev announced its first quarter earnings for the year 2012 on Monday morning. The results are especially positive in the United States where performance has been lackluster for several quarters now. Below are management’s comments on the U.S. from the press release.
–
• Volumes: We estimate that selling-day adjusted industry sales-to-retailers (STRs) grew
by 1.3% in 1Q12, benefiting from favorable weather in the central and eastern parts of
the country, early signs of improvement in employment levels and innovation in the beer
category.
Our domestic US beer selling-day adjusted STRs grew by 1.0% and shipment volumes
(STWs) also grew by 1.0%. Our STR volume performance was driven by a strong
commercial plan which included successful NFL and Super Bowl initiatives and the launch
of Bud Light Platinum at the end of January. Bud Light Platinum has proven to be the
most successful brand launch in the US alcohol industry since 2005, reaching a market
share of 1.4% in the 4 weeks through April 1st 2012, according to IRI data.
We saw improving trends in our total market share in 1Q12 with a marginal decline of 14
bps, our best share performance since 2009. Share gains were led by Bud Light Platinum
which drove 64 bps of growth in share for the Bud Light brand family. Michelob Ultra and
our high-end brands also grew share, offset by share losses in premium regular and
value
• Focus Brands: STRs for the Bud Light brand family grew by 4.7% in 1Q12 benefiting
from the launch of Bud Light Platinum. Michelob Ultra and Stella Artois STRs grew 7.2%
and 22.5%, respectively, while Budweiser STRs declined 4.3%
• Renovation and innovation pipeline: The pipeline remains healthy with several new
liquids including Ultra 19th Hole, Bud Light Lime Lime-a-Rita, Shock Top Wheat IPA and
Shock Top Lemon Shandy now in the market. New Major League Baseball themed
packaging has also been rolled out for Budweiser
• Revenue management: Beer-only revenue per hl grew by 4.3% in 1Q12, with a brand
mix contribution of 151 bps driven by the introduction of Bud Light Platinum, consumer
trade-up from value brands and the growth of our high-end brands
• Sales and Route to Market: The strength of our distribution network was
demonstrated by the launch of Bud Light Platinum which, according to IRI data, achieved
distribution of over 90% within the first two weeks of launch. Furthermore, at retail, our
balanced approach and pack-price strategies, together with our cross-merchandising
initiatives, resulted in strong execution in the market. We will continue to work with our
wholesaler partners to further improve effectiveness in the field.
—
Other U.S. notes…
Budweiser global volumes grew 7.3% in 1Q12
o In the United States, Budweiser brand health remained stable. We have already
announced several packaging activations for 2Q12 centered around the Major League
Baseball season and a repeat of the successful Red, White and Blue campaign.
Stella Artois grew by 1.3% globally in 1Q12
o The brand grew by over 23% (STWs) in the United States and by more than 70% in
Brazil.
Beck’s global volumes declined 4.2% in 1Q12. Continued strong growth in the brand’s
home market of Germany was offset by softer performances in the UK and the United
States.
United States: 1Q12 began with the roll-out of Bud Light Platinum at the end of
January, and Shock Top Wheat IPA in early February. For Budweiser, we introduced
limited edition packaging for St. Patrick’s Day, and expect more to come as we
leverage the start of the Major League Baseball season and the 2012 Summer
Olympics. In 2Q12, consumers should see new variants from Shock Top and
Margaritaville, the launch of Michelob Ultra Light Cider, as well as Bud Light Lime
Lime-a-Rita in time for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
AB InBev hikes U.S. beer sales, sees Brazil promise
The maker of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Beck's said on Monday that it shipped 1.8 percent more beer and other drinks in the first quarter of 2012 and its core profit rose 7.4 percent to $3.55 billion.
Beer City title on the line
Mike Rangel, president of Asheville Brewing, things that Asheville deserves another victory in the Beer City USA online poll.
Sam Calagione on Brewmasters and “big advertisers”
The Delaware Journal had a lengthy Sunday piece on Dogfish Head founder, Sam Calagione, ahead of the James Beard Awards in which Calagione is once again a finalist. Not a lot of meat here though it’s interesting to see the Brewmasters ‘scandal’ come up again…
The Discovery Channel program didn’t last a full season and the chatter, mostly from Bourdain, was that it was abruptly cancelled because large beer corporations, unhappy that the network was showcasing an independent craft brewer, threatened to pull advertising.
Calagione won’t talk about it. “We were really proud of the show,” he says. “We learned a lot about how big networks work and how big advertisers work. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.”
via The News Journal.
Moore beer less fun
Christopher G Moore has said he's waiting to see what Hollywood does with his first Vincent Calvino novel, "Spirit House", before he writes another one featuring the popular private investigator.
Stone’s Greg Koch joins India’s “first craft brewery” as partner
IBC is also proud to announce the addition of Greg Koch, CEO and Cofounder of Stone Brewing Co., to the team. Greg will serve as a partner and Chief Advisor to IBC. “I’ve had a chance to visit India and witness first-hand why Avanish and Shailly are so excited, and I have to say I agree with them! There is tremendous opportunity in India for craft beer. I also have to say that I’m really excited about these two guys and look forward to helping them bring Independence from boring beers to India!” said Greg Koch.
via Drink With The Wench.
Craft Brewers Conference 2012 arrives in San Diego this week
@StoneGreg
Greg Koch
Welcome craft brewing world 2 SanDiego this week for the Craft Brewers Conference, Craft Beer Wholesalers Conf & Craft Beer Bar Owners Conf!
about 2 hours ago6,000 make pilgrimage to Munster for Dark Lord Day (video)
Those were just a few of the adjectives dropped by the 6,000 patrons who each dropped $60 on four bottles of a beer sold for one day only. Tickets for the event sold out in four minutes.
via CBS Chicago.
