For the first time, spirit revenues have eclipsed beer, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) in its annual economic briefing today.

Data and economy experts from 3 Tier Beverages, NielsenIQ’s CGA and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) gave attendees insights into the state of the bev-alc industry and cider’s potential growth opportunities during the 13th annual CiderCon, held last week in Chicago.

With another Dry January in the books, how do non-alcoholic beer producers keep up the momentum? Partake Brewing founder and CEO Ted Fleming and Lagunitas CMO Paige Guzman share what’s next for the growing segment and discuss increased competition and what growing retailer support means for NA beer and similar offerings such as hop water.

Hard seltzer’s share of total beer category dollar sales reached its lowest point since the beginning of the pandemic in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to Jefferies’ most recent hard seltzer dashboard.

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB), the elder statesman of Charlotte’s burgeoning craft beer industry, is rolling into 2023 with a new look, new distributor partners and a new IPA.

California lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow wine and beer retailers to sell spirits-based, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages that are lower than 10% ABV and in containers no larger than 16 oz.

Retailers’ coldboxes are “a battlefield” – particularly in the increasingly crowded beyond beer space – but cider is primed to “thrive,” according to Mary Guiver, Whole Foods Market’s global principle category merchant for beer, during a retailer panel last week at CiderCon 2023 in Chicago.

Allagash Brewing Company is going statewide in Illinois. Plus, Memphis, Tennessee-based Wiseacre Brewing has added statewide distribution in Virginia via Specialty Beverage.

Beer and flavored malt beverage (FMB) sales were up +2% in Q4, while hard seltzer sales declined -3% in the same period, according to the most recent Beverage Bytes survey conducted by Goldman Sachs Equity Research.

Sales velocity at bars and restaurants across the U.S. has increased +20% compared to last year, according to CGA, the on-premise data arm of NielsenIQ.

Beer will be the alcoholic beverage of choice for consumers planning to imbibe while watching Super Bowl LVII, according to market research firm Numerator, which shared the results of a consumer survey conducted from January 25-31.

A year-long legal dispute between rapper and business tycoon Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Bacardi was finally resolved on Friday when the spirits giant announced it has agreed to acquire the majority of Cognac venture D’ussé, with Carter retaining a significant ownership stake through his company SCLiquor.

Flavor-driven brands dominated the top 25 new beer category products of 2022, according to Bump Williams Consulting’s (BWC) February report. Of the top 25 best-selling new products, 12 were flavored malt beverages (FMBs) and six were hard seltzers. Four imports made the list, as did two craft offerings and one domestic premium.

San Diego-headquartered Kings & Convicts Brewing, which acquired Ballast Point from Constellation Brands in late 2019, will vacate the Encinitas taproom and Miramar production facility it took over from Molson Coors in January 2022.