The on-premise beer market remains challenged, but the latest numbers reveal meaningful pockets of growth beneath the topline declines. Imported and non-alcoholic beer are gaining momentum, while draft is strengthening its position relative to packaged beer.
The latest NIQ On Premise analysis reveals a beer category that continues to face volume pressure, but one where performance varies significantly by segment, format, and occasion. The findings also highlight meaningful shifts in on-premise consumption that extend beyond topline category performance.
The latest NIQ on premise update highlights a beer category under pressure, with both value and volume declining over the past year. In contrast, spirits and RTDs continue to capture share, supported by price-led growth and shifting consumer preferences.
Consumer spending on food and beverages away from home continues to account for the majority of food and beverage costs, National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) chief economist and VP of analytics Lester Jones said during the trade organization’s Annual Convention last week in San Diego.
While the majority of the beer category has been unable to find year-over-year (YoY) growth in off-premise in recent scans, the on-premise is looking more positive and could provide more growth opportunities for the category.
Despite industry scan trends, Firestone Walker believes “the American craft beer industry is as strong as ever.” The Duvel-owned California craft brewery is focused on its core beer brands in 2025, and believes those brands can satisfy both classic craft beer consumers and new drinkers, leadership detailed Monday in a virtual presentation for wholesale partners.
Draft beer reclaimed the volume lost during last year’s National Football League (NFL) opening weekend (September 5-8), according to on-premise data firm BeerBoard.
More than one-third (38%) of consumers plan to visit on-premise establishments for Labor Day (September 2), according to CGA, the on-premise arm of market research firm NIQ.
Citing “considerable distress” in the restaurant industry, the parent company of craft-centric on-premise chain World of Beer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Three years post-pandemic, the beer industry’s performance is still “erratic,” National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) chief economist and VP of analytics Lester Jones said during a webinar on Tuesday.
Similar to the off-premise, the non-alcoholic (NA) beer segment is outperforming the broader beer category in bars, restaurants and other venues, according to CGA, an NIQ-owned on-premise market research firm.
On-premise chain accounts have bounced back from initial COVID-19 declines that shut down their businesses, but on-premise pains are far from over, according to CGA, the on-premise arm of market research firm NIQ.
All three bev-alc categories recorded double-digit on-premise sales increases on Mother’s Day compared to the average Sunday in 2024, according to NIQ-owned on-premise data firm CGA.
A majority of consumers plan to celebrate Mother’s Day outside of bars and restaurants, according to the latest impact report from CGA, a NIQ-powered on-premise market research firm.
Beer sales at bars and restaurants have declined in both dollar sales (-0.7%) and volume (-5.7%) in the 12-month period through the end of January, according to NIQ’s on-premise data firm CGA.
Draft beer volume declined -20% during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, due in part to this year’s misalignment of the drinking-centric holiday and March Madness, according to on-premise data firm BeerBoard.
On-premise sales velocity on Super Bowl Sunday (February 11) was down -19% versus an average Sunday this year, and -4% versus 2023, according to CGA, NIQ’s on-premise market research arm.