E-Malt.com News article: United States: Beer market overview

A recent study conducted by Harris Interactive shows that 54% of American adults drink beer, a figure which is slightly higher for males and sports fans. Moreover, 74% of males and 49% of females aged 21-34 drink beer. For those aged over 55, beer consumption is reduced to 62% for men and only 30% for women, researches show, San Francisco Chronicle communicated on June, 23.

According to The Beer Institute, residents of Montana tend to drink more beer per capita than any other state. In fact, Montana has held top spot in 2008 and 2009, and was ranked the number four per capita consumer from 2003 through 2007. With shipments totalling over 1 mln of 31 gallon barrels and a population of only 711,000, the average individual drinks 43.7 gallons of beer per year - almost double the amount consumed by citizens of New York.

Utah has consistently ranked last for alcohol consumption in the last seven years. With a per capita consumption of 19.4 gallons per adult, Utah ranks far behind consumption leaders such as New Hampshire (#2), North Dakota (#3), Nevada (#4) and South Dakota (#5). California is the state with the largest absolute volume of beer consumption and the largest number of breweries.

Reaping the benefits of the growing American beer demand, some breweries have been able to strategically align themselves to gain a massive market share in the multi-billion dollar industry. AB InBev’s Bud Light has retained its dominance in the beer industry with a 19.3% market share, practically double that of Heineken, Corona Extra, Bush and Keystone Light combined.

Measured by U.S. shipment data, the past three years have not seen a massive change in competitive landscape of the industry. Although it still holds in second place, Budweiser has steadily declined from 10.8% market share to a 9.3% market share. The other major brands have experienced much less volatility.

The beer industry is a major component of the North American economy, employing approximately 45,000 workers in brewing facilities in addition to 95,000 and 900,000 employees in the alcohol distribution and the retailing sector respectively. After the employment in industries such as agriculture and construction is considered, approximately two million Americans' professions are dependent on the beer supply chain.

America is a major beer producer, lagging only behind China, while greatly surpassing nations such as Germany, Russia and Brazil. This economic sector provides great opportunity for successful businesses and substantial tax revenues for the government.


25 June, 2010