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 »

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 »