Content about Beer

Brewers finally have something to celebrate. After three years of flat performance, the category is up 5.3% due to a flurry of new introductions. In an attempt to keep the momentum going, Anheuser-Busch InBev introduced several new products just in time for the Super Bowl.

The newest launch is Budweiser Black Crown, a beer the brewer claims has more body, color and hop character than the flagship lager, as well as a slightly higher alcohol content, at 6% alcohol by volume.

NEW YORK — Hy-Vee's new store in Overland Park, Kan., will include a beer and wine bar, according to published reports.

The Kansas City Star reported that the company's new store would be the first in the Kansas City, Mo., area to offer such a bar and one of the few in the country to do so.

Many of Hy-Vee's newest stores throughout the Midwest already include sushi bars, cafes and other food-service venues in addition to traditional supermarket products and services.

ST. LOUIS — Budweiser will introduce the latest addition to its line of beers later this month, the company said Tuesday.

The brewing company announced plans to unveil Budweiser Black Crown on Jan. 21, based on 12 recipes, six beers brewed for national sampling and 25,000 opinions from the company's "Project 12" competition. The company plans to broadcast the first 30-second television advertisement during Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Harris Teeter on Wednesday celebrated the official grand openings of its 201central stores during ribbon-cutting ceremonies at both locations — Wesley Chapel and Huntersville, N.C.

SAN RAMON, Calif. — Fever-Tree has expanded its lineup of premium mixers.

Naturally light ginger beer and sparkling lemon join the brand's portfolio, which currently includes such flavors as Indian tonic water, naturally light tonic Water, Mediterranean tonic water, club soda, bitter lemon, ginger ale and ginger beer.

Craft beers, particularly India Pale Ales and seasonals, continue to drive category growth in the beer category. A number of imported labels have seen an uptick in sales. Brands with a strong Hispanic appeal, such as Modelo Especial, Victoria and Corona, consistently have had strong sales. Stella Artois also has been a strong performer.

Meanwhile, major breweries are attempting to breathe life back into traditional brands with new introductions aimed at younger consumers.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Heineken USA has launched a Mexican dark beer across seven markets in California and Texas.

Indio, which has been brewed and sold in Mexico since 1893, is a 12-oz. bottled dark beer that is known for its malt character and light caramel aroma, the company said. The beer now can be found in 6- and 12-packs at stores across Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

ST. LOUIS — Shock Top Belgian Wheat has rolled out its latest seasonal beer.

Shock Top Lemon Shandy, a wheat beer complemented by spices and natural lemonade flavor with 4.2% alcohol by volume, will be available nationwide in six- and 12-packs of bottles and 12-packs of cans through July, the company said.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Avery Brewing has tapped can manufacturer Ball to create unique packaging for Avery's brands.

The company said it partnered with Ball's Graphics Center of Excellence and utilized the latter's Eyeris Enhanced Graphics printing technique to create a 360-degree miniature billboard with every can for distinctive, on-the-shelf differentiation of Avery's brands, including India Pale Ale, White Rascal, Ellie's Brown Ale and Joe's Premium American Pilsner.

SEATTLE — Pyramid Breweries has overhauled its packaging for three of its beers.

The company said its flagship Pyramid Hefeweizen beer, along with the brand's Apricot Ale and Thunderhead IPA, will include pyramids as the focal point of the new design, along with a new font, both of which are designed as a tribute to the brand's original look and feel. Pyramid said it will apply the new look to all of its year-round beers, including six and 12-pack bottles, 22-oz. bottles and draught beer tap handles, later this month.

ST. LOUIS — Anheuser-Busch has launched the first seasonal offering under its Shock Top craft beer label. Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat, a traditional Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with pumpkins and autumnal spices, will be available until January 2012 in six-packs and 12-oz. bottles. 


A-B also is launching the brand’s first sampler pack, including the original Shock Top Belgian White, Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat and Shock Top Raspberry Wheat. Sales of the Shock Top brand have been ahead 77% for the first half of the year, according to A-B.