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Beer shipments fall in 2011 to lowest level since 2003

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Beer sales were lackluster in 2011, with the latest estimates showing U.S. shipments at their lowest levels since 2003 as major brewers such as Anheuser-Busch and Heineken USA experienced downturns.

Worldwide, suds shipments were down 2.9 million barrels, or 1.4%, from 2010, according to the latest newsletter from trade publication Beer Marketer’s Insights.

Although the plunge in volume wasn’t huge, the industry should take it seriously, the publication said.

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“Big brewers need to regain drinking occasions taken by spirits over the last decade, especially among Millennials,” the group wrote in a recent blog post. “Consumers continue to face [a] plethora of new beverage choices.”

Top-ranked Anheuser-Busch InBev — which owns Budweiser, Michelob, Beck’s and other brands — saw shipments slip 2.9 million barrels, or 2.9%, to 98.8 million barrels. That’s the first time the company, which is attempting to innovate with new brands such as Bud Light Platinum, has shipped less than 100 million barrels in a decade.

MillerCoors saw shipments fall 3% to less than 60 million barrels.

Both companies also lost market share in 2011, with Anheuser-Busch down 0.7 of a percentage point to 47% and MillerCoors down 0.4 of a percentage point to 28.4%.

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Heineken USA’s shipments declined 3.9% while Diageo/Guinness USA dropped 2.4%.

Some companies, however, were on the upswing. Pabst Brewing Co.’s shipments were up 0.4% in the company’s first boost since it purchased Stroh Brewery Co. in 1999.

Small brewer D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. of Pottsville, Pa., was up 16.9%. Samuel Adams owner Boston Beer Co. scored an 8% increase.

Alcohol sales in bars and restaurants are expected to rise this year, according to research group Technomic Inc. The wine sector is projected to have a 3.5% bump over the year, while beer sales will probably see a 2.2% increase, especially as craft brews become more popular.

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tiffany.hsu@latimes.com

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