Leading Craft Brewers’ Sales Fall in 1st Half; Boston Beer Up 16%

Dollar sales increased 1.4%, but volume at multi-outlet and convenience stores were up just 0.2% during the latest four-week scan.

Even worse:  Some of the largest craft brews sales have declined.  That includes Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (down 2.2%), New Belgium Brewing (down 10.4%), Craft Brew Alliance down 8%) and Deschutes Brewery (down 10.4%)

That was significantly worse than Anheuser-Busch InBev, down 2.1%, and Miller Coors, down 2.6%.  Heineken USA off-premise volume was down 4.4%.  But Constellation Brands volume was up 12%.

Boston Beer Co. saw its sales up 16%, thanks to Angry Orchard Rose cider, which has generated $17 million in off-premise sales, year-to-date.  It’s surpassed Heineken Light, Michelob Ultra Pure Gold and Lone Star.

Boston Beer isn’t the only craft brewery to grow.  Founders Brewing was up 51.4%, Bell’s Brewery was up 4%, Stone Brewing was up 10%, Sweetwater Brewing was up 4.2%, Firestone Walker was up 14.9%, Oskar Blues Brewing (was up 20.4%) and Dogfish Head was up 13.6%.

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