Craft Beers Slowing in Supers

Slowest rate in a year.

Craft beers are still increasing their share in supermarkets. But at a slower rate than what we’ve seen recently.

Crafts gained 0.5 points of share for the four weeks ended April 12, according to beer sales statistics from Nielsen. That’s the smallest pickup since the April 4, 2007 period, when craft gained 0.5 points.

This slowdown in the growth rate has been expected. Crafts have been forced to raise prices to keep up with the skyrocketing costs of hops and other inputs. The average weighted price of a case of craft beer increased by 5.5 percent during the period, according to Nielsen’s beer market analysis. That’s more than twice the rate for the industry as a whole.

But the fact crafts have been able to maintain a healthy growth rate in face of these rising prices suggests crafts have legs.

Indeed, supermarkets are stocking more craft beers. The average supermarket stocked 27.6 craft items during the latest four-month period, up 4 units from the year-earlier period, according to Nielsen’s beer research.

Brew Magazine took an in-depth look at craft beer and its growth prospects in its August 2007. Here's that issue of Brew Magazine.

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