Imports are a big part of the U.S. beer business -- and theyre going to get bigger.As recently as 2004, full-calorie mainstream domestic beers commanded more share in supermarkets than imports. Thats not the case now. Imports in 2007 represented more than 14 percent of supermarket beer sales, according to beer sales statistics from Nielsen. Mainstream full-cal domestics, meanwhile, accounted for just over 11 percent.That stat highlights how imports are an increasingly important part of the U.S. beer business. And that trend is only going to continue. The latest issue of Brew took an in-depth look at how imports have transformed -- and will continue to transform -- the U.S. beer business. From the issue:How big is imported beer?  read more »

A-B is determined to boost Bud and Bud Light. What does that mean for everyone else? Anheuser-Busch???s core brands -- a group that includes Bud, Michelob and others -- didn???t meet the No. 1 brewer???s expectations last year. A-B???s determined..."Brew" Blog

Brewers and distributors are caught between a slowing economy and rising costs. What does it take to navigate hard times? High gas prices. A weak housing market. Weak consumer confidence. Rumblings of recession. What does it mean for the American beer business?  read more »

Brewers and distributors are caught between a slowing economy and rising costs. What does it take to navigate hard times?High gas prices. A weak housing market. Weak consumer confidence. Rumblings of recession.What does it mean for the American beer business?  read more »

Going into markets by September.After exceeding expectations in test markets, Miller Lite Brewers Collection -- a trio of craft-style light beers -- is going nationwide. We are going to take Miller Lite Brewers Collection national and were going to do it by September, Miller Brewing Company CEO Tom Long said from the stage on Tuesday at Millers distributor meeting in New Orleans.In making the announcement, Long recalled last years conference when Miller announced it was accelerating the national rollout of Miller Chill. The result: It became the years biggest new product, generating $40 million of sales in supermarkets.Tom Cardella, Millers executive vice president-sales and distribution, pointed out Miller Lite Brewers Collections strengths in its four test markets.  read more »

Is a generational change taking place?Are Corona Extra and Heineken now my fathers beer?Thats the provocative question raised by industry consultant Mike Mazzoni last week in an investor meeting covered by Beer Marketers Insights. From Fridays BMI Express:[Mazzoni] Notes imports up 1%, Corona down slightly, Heineken up slightly, while Heineken Premium Light, Stella, Modelo Especial, Corona Light and Dos Equis each up double digits. Wonders if this is "simply a changing of the guard." Calls Corona and Heineken (over 45% of segment) "mega-imports" and wonders if this is "generational change" where they have become "my father's beer." Notes that many other formerly top 10 imports continued down in 07, including Beck's, Foster's, St Pauli Girl, Amstel Light.  read more »

Brewery
Date and time reviewed: Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:35:22 EDT

Overall Score: 55.0
Selection: 2 | Service: 2.5 | Atmosphere: 3.75 | Food: N/A

Reviewer: hugbee

Went on the miller tour, again, yesterday for fun... I also kinda have that know thy enemy and need to remind myself why I don't like their beer by drinking from them, and not paying for it. But onto the review.

Miller brewing company offers free tours every 20 minutes, the tour has changed a bit since I last took it and the caves are closed till august, so I was told, but this is the general layout...

You get seated in a 100 person theater and find out the benefits of miller time. Man that film is crap... There's one point where the film eludes drinking miller beer is the ultimate hookup drink, there was a collective sigh from the women and raunchy laughter from the guys... it's meant to be sexist, I think... Gives an overview of fred and his starting and his progress and his destination in milwaukee, shoots around a lot of old to new shots, old to new marketing...  read more »

Brew Blog's picks of news from the beer business and beyond. Beer volume in supermarkets slipped by 1.8 percent during the four weeks ended May 24, according to beer sales statistics from Nielsen. National weighted average prices increased by 2.7..."Brew" Blog

Brew Blog's picks of news from the beer business and beyond. A strong incremental volume gain drove total beer sales in supermarkets up 0.5 percent for the four weeks ended May 3, according to beer sales statistics from Nielsen. Pricing..."Brew" Blog

Brew Blog's picks of news from the beer business and beyond. Busch family members are divided over InBev's unsolicited bid for Anheuser-Busch, Bloomberg reports. While one of A-B CEO August Busch IV's uncles has said A-B should talk to InBev,..."Brew" Blog