Beer Business – Are Sales Coming Back?

Buffalo Trace Newsletter reprinted a WSJ article with the headline, After Long Downturn, Beer Sales Are Back.

Are they? Well, yes and no.

Beer shipments in the US rose nearly 2% to over 141 million barrels in the first eight months of 2012 after falling three straight years. In fact, sales fell 1.5% in 2011.

But, it’s not the shut-up-and-drink-or-guzzle-it brands. The growth is coming from craft beers whose sales have grown 12% in volume in the first half of this year. Craft beers represent 6% of the beer market in volume and 9% in dollars.

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Diageo Daze

Dear Diageo,

You produce great brands and are the sales and profit leader in the alcohol industry. According to press reports, you are about to acquire a large stake in Cuervo, which will be important to your future. Your global strategy of acquisition and growth in developing countries is second to none.

You are indeed the Emperor of the Booze World.

So, how come your senior management skills run from arrogant to stupid? Do you hire them that way or are they a product of a unique management development program?

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Stupidity Follow Up

Buffalo Trace Newsletter ran the following story this morning: 

NYC Vodka Billboard Pulled After Uproar

Community Leaders Call ‘Escort Quality, Hooker Pricing’ Ad Insensitive

Source: KXLY

February 23, 2012

A controversial Wódka Vodka billboard hung up in New York’s Bronx borough was taken down after drawing the ire of community leaders intent on cleaning up the area’s image.

The “Escort Quality, Hooker Pricing” ads were posted around the city, but community leaders in Hunts Point said the billboards didn’t help their efforts to shed the area’s reputation as a prostitution hub, the New York Daily News reported.

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