of world cup A huge success for American beer boston bar They reported needing emergency deliveries on some game days to prevent running water from running dry. A total of 290,000 fans are down. stadium beer during six games in Philadelphia, FIFA organizers said.
But that bubbling bubble masks a cold reality. Beer sales are slumping around the world, and it’s unclear whether the World Soccer Championships, despite being co-hosted by 16 cities in three countries this year, will be able to reverse that trend.
Beer consumption has been steadily declining in the United States for a decade, according to the industry group Brewers Association. craft beer brewery. Canada saw a similar decline, according to the Office for National Statistics. The Brewers of Europe Trade Association said: the story is the same In the European Union.
Consumers are buying less regular beer and more ‘wellness’ drinks
Many consumers are cutting back on their alcohol intake. health reasons. Last year was my first time Gallup poll More than half of Americans (53%) say drinking one or two drinks a day is bad for their health.
on sale non-alcoholic beer Although beer is growing, it still only accounts for about 1% of the U.S. market, according to the Beer Institute, a trade group for brewers.
economic anxiety Sales also took a hit. U.S. consumption of all types of alcohol, including wine and spirits, fell 5% last year, in part due to affordability concerns, according to beverage market research firm IWSR.
Craig Purser, president and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, said he believes smartphones and Netflix have robbed consumers of the opportunity to socialize over a cold beer.
“If we have this behavior when we’re cocooned and not spending time with other people, it’s going to affect beer consumption,” Purser said.
Beer sales soar at stadiums, bars and restaurants in World Cup host cities
Enter the World Cup venue and join soccer fans from all over the world to cheer on their national teams and share their celebrations and sorrows.
In the first four weeks of the tournament, beer sales at bars, restaurants, stadiums and other venues in U.S. host cities increased 14% compared to the same period last year, according to the Beer Association. The uplift spread beyond the host city. Nationally, sales increased by 4%, the institute said.
Jim Koch, brewer, founder, and CEO. Boston Beer Co., Ltd.The company, which makes brands such as Samuel Adams, said it had to make two emergency deliveries to the Sam Adams Boston Taproom on its first day. scottish fan I was in town.
“At one point we were pouring them Sam Adams Boston Lager every 12 seconds. What a great group of people,” he said.
But that wasn’t the only thing that warmed Koch’s heart.
“No one was on their phones. They were holding beers and talking to each other. They were doing what beer was supposed to do, which is helping people enjoy each other’s company,” he said.
The wide range of drinks on display at the stadium is sharp contrast In preparation for the World Cup held in Qatar four years ago, the government prohibited from selling Alcoholic beer at the match venue.
brewer tilted heavily To this year’s tournament. Budweiser and Michelob Ultra Maker AB InBevThe official beer sponsor of the World Cup, the company provided marketing support to bars and hosted 200,000 watch parties in 40 countries.
Molson Coors announces spending 60% more on marketing than last year in June and July;We also debuted a limited edition soccer ball that can hold 12 cans. mirror light.
Supporters may cry when their team loses, but they don’t cry in their beers.
Mabel Romero, a law professor at Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, typically prefers cocktails to beer. But she says she chooses beer during the World Cup because it has a lower alcohol content than booze or wine, and watching the games lasts all day.
“If you drink too many cocktails, your body stops working after a few hours,” Romero says.
Romero, who watched this year’s game at a bar in Mexico City, said he enjoys trying new beers, especially those with innovative ingredients such as champagne yeast. Once the World Cup is over, I expect I’ll go back to mainly drinking cocktails, although I might order the occasional beer.
Even before the World Cup ended, beer consumption was expected to decline in some markets. AB InBev shares and constellation brand The company, which owns the U.S. rights to Mexican beer brands like Corona and Modelo, suffered after Mexico and Brazil were eliminated from the tournament.
Romero observed a change in the atmosphere in Mexico City after the loss.
“The city is in a general recession,” she said. “Everything has become very quiet and people don’t go out as much.”
With a major sporting event just around the corner, the beer industry can hold out hope.
Mr Purser remains hopeful that the World Cup will remind people how much they love to come together and cheer on athletes, especially athletes. summer olympics He plans to head to Los Angeles in 2028. Opportunities are expanding, he said. For example, college and professional football games are now held on more nights. And beer’s consumer base is expanding as more brands launch lower-alcohol and non-alcohol versions, he said.
In May, the NCAA lifted its long-standing ban on alcohol advertising during March Madness, allowing beer, wine, spirits and hard seltzer manufacturers to participate. Sponsor The college basketball tournament will begin for the first time next season.
Boston Beer’s Koch said he’s not worried until then.
“People are worried that the beer business has been in decline for the past few years, but I always remind them that beer has been part of human society, human civilization, for 10,000 years,” he said. “Beer has always been a part of making our lives and our time on earth more enjoyable.”
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AP video journalist Rodrique Ngowi contributed from Boston.
