Here’s good news: BeerBoard reports 92% of beer pouring locations were open last weekend. That matches the high established in May 2020.
Nationally, there were 17 taps per location. That’s up one from the previous period, Feb. 11-14, but down from 34 a year earlier. Six of the 10 states tracked added at least one tap, led by Texas, which added three taps to return to 18 per location. Michigan, which has skyrocketed back (from just seven taps a month ago) to land at 20 this period, and Tennessee (18) both added two taps. Illinois (13), Nevada (19) and New York (18) added one each.
For the second consecutive period, the percentage of taps pouring saw an increase, this time up four points to check in at 64% pouring nationally, BeerBoard said. Texas paced the field, climbing back from a dip due to the winter storm two weeks ago, growing to 69% pouring (up from 58%). Tennessee (64%) and Illinois (51%) and both saw healthy increases as well.
More good news from BeerBoard: Volume climbed 13% (Feb. 25-28) for the period after two periods of decline. Volume in Texas charged back, growing 34.9%, while Illinois (+25.0%), Nevada (+15.8) and Michigan (+13.8%) all saw healthy growth.
Rate of sale rose 6.9% after a two-period decline. Following form for the period, Texas showed significant growth (+21.0%). Illinois (+15.4%), New York (+8.8%), Michigan (+7.9%), and Minnesota and Nevada (both +7.2%) all saw gains.
In terms of volume share, Domestics grew +1.2% to come in at 54.0% overall. Imports also jumped up +1.5% to check in at 15.4%. Craft took on that decline, dropping -2.7% to come in at 30.6% overall. In Tap Share, Domestics were +1.8% to climb to 28.9%, while Craft dropped -2.1% to come in at 54.0%. Imports were relatively flat (+0.3%), coming in at 17.1%. As has been the recent norm, the Top Five Styles remained unchanged.