Recession hits beer sales
The World of Anheuser-Busch
** FILE ** In this April 1, 2007 file photo, the Budweiser Clydesdales make their appearance before the start of a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game against the New York Mets at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Anheuser-Busch's game plan for the 2009 Super Bowl is simple: More Clydesdales. The iconic horses, symbols of the St. Louis-based brewer, will most likely be airing in three of seven spots bought by Anheuser-Busch next month. (AP Photo/Kyle Ericson, file)
AP
Team USA, Vermont's sculpture, "Teeter Toddler" depicted a father taking his child out in the snow for a first winter outing. This sculpture was one of 16 works of art entered in last year's Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Championships. The finished pieces are achieved after a total of 65 intense hours of work. The 2009 event will showcase 16 sculptures from 9 countries around the world January 20-25, 2009. Photo Credit: Jeff Scroggins. (PRNewsFoto/Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships, Jeff Scroggins)
PR NEWSWIRE
Rower Juliette Haig on the River Thames passing the Stag Brewery, left, at Mortlake, London, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Anheuser-Busch InBev on Tuesday said it may close a brewery that dates to the 15th century next year. The world's largest brewer said in a statement it plans to close the Stag Brewery, in Mortlake, west London in 2010. The brewery has 182 workers and is one of the oldest brewery sites in Great Britain. Anheuser-Busch InBev was formed late last year when Belgium-based InBev, maker of Stella Artois, bought U.S.-based Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion. One of the reasons for the pairing was to save on costs. The Stag Brewery, which had been owned by Anheuser-Busch until last year's takeover, produces Budweiser, Bud Ice and Michelob Ultra beers on the banks of the river Thames. (AP Photo/Fiona Hanson/PA) ** UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE *
AP
U.S. Navy sailors ride a roller coaster at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla. More than 3 million U.S. and coalition service members have entered Worlds of Discovery free under Budweiser's "Here's to the Heroes" military tribute program. Here's to the Heroes has been extended until December 31, 2009. (PRNewsFoto/Busch Entertainment Corporation)
PR NEWSWIRE
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 with a special float commemorating their 75th anniversary as the symbol of Anheuser-Busch. Introduced in 1933 to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition for beer, the Clydesdales travel more than 100,000 miles to more than 500 appearances each year. (PRNewsFoto/Anheuser-Busch)
PR NEWSWIRE
** FOR USE AS DESIRED WITH YEAR END--FILE ** In this Monday, July 14, 2008 file photo, cars drive past the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis. The $52 billion sale of iconic St. Louis brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. to InBev SA highlighted what was an overall difficult year for business in Missouri. InBev agreed to make St. Louis its North American headquarters, but the merger has already taken a toll u00F4 1,400 Anheuser-Busch workers, about 1,000 of them in St. Louis, saw their jobs eliminated 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
AP
** FOR USE AS DESIRED WITH YEAR END--FILE ** In this Monday, July 14, 2008 file photo, the Anheuser-Busch brewery is seen in St. Louis. The $52 billion sale of iconic St. Louis brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. to InBev SA highlighted what was an overall difficult year for business in Missouri. InBev agreed to make St. Louis its North American headquarters, but the merger has already taken a toll u00F4 1,400 Anheuser-Busch workers, about 1,000 of them in St. Louis, saw their jobs eliminated 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
AP
** FILE ** In this Monday, July 14, 2008 file photo, cars drive past the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis. The $52 billion sale of iconic St. Louis brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. to InBev SA highlighted what was an overall difficult year for business in Missouri. InBev agreed to make St. Louis its North American headquarters, but the merger has already taken a toll u00F4 1,400 Anheuser-Busch workers, about 1,000 of them in St. Louis, saw their jobs eliminated 2 1/2 weeks before Christmas.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
AP
(FILES)This four image combination photo courtesy of Anheuser-Busch shows the brands Budweiser and Bud Light brewed by the brewing icon in St. Louis, Missouri. InBev SA on November 18, 2008 formed the world's largest brewer when it closed its 52 billion USD (euro 41 billion) takeover of Anheuser-Busch Cos.The new company, named Anheuser-Busch InBev, will be headed by InBev CEO Carlos Brito and will be headquartered at Leuven, Belgium. AFP PHOTO/HO/ANHEUSER-BUSCH = = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE = = GETTY OUT = = (Photo credit should read HO/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
(FILES) This July 21, 2008 photo shows The logo of Anheuser's Budweiser at the Busch Agricultural Research facility in Fargo, ND. Belgian-Brazilian brewery giant InBev on November 18, 2008 announced it had completed the takeover of Anheuser-Busch to create the world's biggest brewer. "Effective today, InBev has changed its name to Anheuser-Busch InBev to reflect the heritage and traditions of Anheuser-Busch," Inbev said a statement. AFP PHOTO/FILESKaren BLEIER (Photo credit should read KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Beer sales normally grow at about 1% per year -- in 2008, they only grew by half that amount. But it could get worse in 2009.
I can't help but wonder whether the combination of plunging 401(k)s and foreclosures has people thinking they need something a little more potent than beer. The Dayton Business Journal reports that in Ohio -- one of the harder hit sates -- sales of liquor containing more than 21% alcohol rose 5% in 2008. The top-seller was the bargain basement Kamchatka Vodka, which moved 380,465 gallons in that state.



Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1-19-2009 @ 8:08PM
sweetjuliek said...
In this economy, everyone needs to save.. Start by cooking at home more... I found this hilarious cookbook called "Get in the kitchen, BIT@HES!" (bitchcooks.com)- its so funny and has some great recipes.. it's made it fun to cook again!
Reply
1-19-2009 @ 8:24PM
azyogi said...
No mention of the rising cost of beer, due to the hops crop failure. Or the choice between beverage for you or the family car. Or do these things not effect your world. ps brew your own it's not that much cheeper but you get premium quality for the cost of the cheepest beer.
Reply
1-19-2009 @ 10:25PM
MarkG said...
I'd invest in a dictionary and prop up their sales.
1-19-2009 @ 8:34PM
steph said...
I think sales are going down for crappy beer but up for micro brews. Better tasting, higher quality, and higher alcohol percentage
Reply
1-20-2009 @ 8:35PM
Josh said...
You are absolutely correct! Microbrew sales have gone up by double-digits several years in a row now.
1-19-2009 @ 8:39PM
tojo said...
Lets hope the Republicans and "Corporate" America haven't lost this whole country for us by selling out to foregienrs. Germans own Crysler and andheuser/ Busch, the English now own miller beer, almost all manufacturing has been moved off shore to the backs of people who work pretty much for slave wages, to the advantage of the top 1% of Americans such as "Pri*k" Cheney and his cohorts, but to the detriment of the American worker.
Reply
1-20-2009 @ 1:32PM
Green Hills said...
Foolish person...The Republicans didn't sell anything....the stockholders did...and they are from both parties....get over yourself.
1-19-2009 @ 8:59PM
ZAK said...
An over-all reduction in beer consumption can only have positive effects upon all except the breweries. It can't be that difficult to find something better to spend your money on.
Reply
1-20-2009 @ 9:36AM
Brewser said...
It won't have a positive effect on tax revenues. Alcoholic beverages of all kinds are among the most heavily taxed consumer goods on the market. Next time anyone gets to mean-mouthing those degerate drunks, think about all of the roads and bridges they financed. I'd guess a lot of people quit or switched when the most popular American beer no longer belonged to an American company. I drank my last Budweiser when Ammheuser-Busch sold to Inbev
1-19-2009 @ 9:35PM
Tom said...
Mayby, if the revenue to the UK and Belgium drops enough, they'll think about selling Coors/Miller and Budweiser back to the good old U.S.A. While I only drink beer with certain meals, and not more than one on any given day, I still try to stay with companies which are headquartered here, in America. Currently, it is an imported beer, from Texas, to CA. Tom
Reply
1-19-2009 @ 9:37PM
Martin said...
beer unfotunately can,t be afforted by some because of the rising prices, bars are really suffering. a lot of is because use of marijuna ,drinking kills and ruins lots of innocent people,yet we still allow it. we let billons or more get money out the use of drugs. that money leaves our country.
Reply
1-19-2009 @ 10:00PM
Jane Doe said...
You would think with all the people who drink and drive are still getting multiple dui's. But anyway alcahol and beer have been around forever and will be around for along time to come. But to those who dont drink dont care about the industry I in my opinion dont see how their sales are slumping alcaholics always drink rich or poor, Or it just could be a ploy to get free money like many banks and cooperations have.
http://www.thelocomonkey.com
Reply
1-19-2009 @ 10:04PM
Sarah said...
Tonight I had roasted vegetable bisque in a homemade chicken broth with sandwiches, you couldn't even get at a restaurant. People gain alot of weight eating out, and it's way too costly. It would be one thing to live in a place with fantastic dining, but when you don't....and you're just too lazy to cook, why bother, it's not even good. I've seen people double and triple in size in just 2-4 years, and they just so happen to love to eat out, and complain about financial problems. You have to cook to save. I made all of my meals when I supported myself, so it's bizarre to me when women don't cook just because they work. I never even bought a latte. Now, since I have my wonderful husband who is in love with his wife, I'm just so lucky. We have other interests besides going out to eat....ahhhk.......I have enough good stuff at home.
Reply
1-20-2009 @ 10:00AM
Brewser said...
You can make you own food much cheaper and flavorful, these days. Restaurants all get their food from the Cysco (owned by the Mob) or US Foodservice (owned by Merrill Lynch Capital Partners) punchlist, prepackaged and frozen, even the waterfront seafood restaurants which used to serve fresh caught fish. It doesn't even matter where you are anymore. A steak in Portland tastes the same as a steak in Florida, no difference in quality or preparation, and they aren't worth the extortionate prices they charge. Restaurants don't cook anymore; they just assemble components with minimum preparation.
1-19-2009 @ 10:09PM
oirser said...
with all the DWI in america this may be the best thing that ever happend... abolish this crap for all I care.... it is NO GOOD for anybody.
Reply
1-19-2009 @ 11:20PM
Ray said...
Banning beer and other acholoic beverages was tried in the U.S. Check your American history. It was called Prohibition. All Prohibition did was to drive the brewers underground with black market brew that was unhealthy. It was repealed in 1933.
1-19-2009 @ 10:12PM
osagers said...
AMERICAN .....
BEER......
SUCKS....
WHO WOULD WANT TO DRINK DISHWATER ANYWAY?
the worst thing ameria produces is the BEER and CHOCOLATE..
Give me Europe anytime, so superior
Reply
1-20-2009 @ 8:42PM
Josh said...
Please...
Clearly you're someone that knows little about beer and are only commenting about light lagers. You must think that Stella Artois is an example of this great European beer that you speak of as well?
While of course there are many amazing beers that come out of Europe (especially Belgium), some of the best beers in the world are unarguably made in the US.
1-19-2009 @ 10:37PM
mike hunt said...
We had to stop drinking beer to pay for the inauguration.
Reply
1-19-2009 @ 10:24PM
jmjmosley said...
I grew up with an alcoholic father. I learned how to drive dragging him out of the beer joint and getting him home. After what I saw I just could not bring myself to drink. If i did try it ,I got sick and threw up. I'm 69 years old and to this day I still do not care for it and I can honestly say I am a better man because of my father. He would tell me "Boy I drink enough for both of us". And I believed him then and I still do now.
Reply