The brewery is designed for future growth in 5–million hl modules and is highly automated. Because of its proximity to the U.S., the brewery will allow for a more efficient distribution of Modelo’s products in its export markets.

In terms of overall market shares in the U.S., AB-InBev accounts for 48.9 percent of the market, while Miller Coors – a joint venture between SAB Miller and Molson Coors – has 29.5 percent, Beer Marketer’s Insights says.

The programme includes:

So it’s not the recession but unemployment which drives beer sales south. Brewers think that there are two major forces at work: unemployment in general, and more specifically unemployment among the 21 to 35-year-old consumer bracket which has been disproportionately hit. That category of people has a 15- to 16-percent unemployment rate in the U.S. Unfortunately it’s the self-same consumer group which has been most willing to buy premium beers.

Since 2003, the Chavez government has imposed price controls on many foodstuffs. The results have been persistent shortages and soaring inflation in a country of 27 million people: the price of food and drink rose by 21 percent alone in the first five months of 2010, reports The Economist.

Cognac-drinking consumers were historically older and more affluent, but that’s changed in the past decade as hip-hop artists have touted the spirit in popular culture. Hennessy is capitalising on that success with a social media effort for Hennessy Black, which costs USD 39.99 for a 750 ml bottle. For Hennessy, this is the first major product launch in the United States in almost 50 years. The suggested retail price puts Hennessy Black at a premium to the Hennessy VS (very special), which often sells for around USD 30, but still below the higher-end VSOP (very special old pale) and XO (extra old) versions.

From an investor, who planned to milk the brand, to an investor, who will hopefully build the brand. The story of Pabst Blue Ribbon proves that history often comes full circle, alas with variations. When Paul Kalmanovitz, an early consolidator of the U.S. brewing industry, bought Pabst Brewing in 1985, he probably intended to drain Pabst’s equity as he had done with his other beer brands. But he died in 1987 and his fortune went to his charitable trust, the Kalmanovitz trust. Managers of Pabst continued in Mr Kalmanovitz’ style, contracting out production to Miller Brewing and keeping marketing to a minimum. As a result the company’s beer brands saw volumes and market share slip. In 2000, Pabst Brewing sold just over 11 million hl beer, down 15 percent from 1999. Pabst’s market shrank to 5 percent from 30 percent in 1980. In 2009, it had declined even further to 2.7 percent (6.7 million hl) according to Beer Marketers’ Insights.

Homebrewers in Oklahoma and across the country raised a toast last week, when Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed into law legislation that makes homebrewing beer legal in the state.

Now if there’s a term Mr Maytag would never have used it is “centre of excellence”. Mr Maytag was an entrepreneur, a brewer, a distiller, a winemaker, a lover of craft. While he could talk enthusiastically about beer, business school jargon would never drip from his lips. After all, he has kept his business small(ish), manageable and private.

Even though Molson’s business is largely concentrated in the mature markets of Canada, Britain and the United States, Coors Light is currently sold in 43 Chinese cities.