Beer Institute estimated consumer retail spending on domestically produced beer rose 3% from a year earlier in September. Domestic beer shipments rose 1.6%, at least partially a result of distributors having to rebuild inventories, where were drawn down in August. The higher retail spending figure vs. shipments also indicates brewers continued to push price increases.
Shipments benefitted from weather that was warmer and drier than normal, as well as from one additional selling day than a year ago. “September’s domestic shipment trend was down 3.2% after adjusting for the change,” Beer Institute said.