On-premise ale and cider sales were on the rise in the third quarter of 2013, reports Restaurant Sciences LLC, Newton, Mass. Ale sales grew 2 percent and cider sales grew 39 percent compared with the prior-year period, it reports. Comparatively, nationwide on-premise lager sales were down 7 percent compared with the third quarter of 2012, it adds.

"Cider sales continued to gain ground against lager sales in Q3 2013, although they remain a small percentage of on-premise sales," said Chuck Ellis, chief executive officer and president of Restaurant Sciences, in a statement. "Regionally in Q3 2013, cider sales were stronger in the Midwest and Northeast, while ale sales were stronger in the West, and lager was preferred in the Southwest and Southeast."

Restaurant Sciences revealed the following regional data from the third quarter of 2013:

• Northeast — Lager sales composed approximately 69.3 percent of on-premise beer sales, ale made up about 27.9 percent, and cider accounted for 2.3 percent.
• Southeast — Lager sales composed approximately 76.5 percent of on-premise beer sales, ale made up about 21.4 percent, and cider accounted for approximately 1.6 percent.
• Southwest — Lager sales composed approximately 77.7 percent of on-premise beer sales, ale made up about 20.1 percent, and cider accounted for approximately 1.7 percent.
• West — Lager sales composed approximately 58.7 percent of on-premise beer sales, ale made up about 38.9 percent, and cider accounted for approximately 1.8 percent.
• Midwest — Lager sales composed approximately 70.9 percent of on-premise beer sales, ale made up about 25.8 percent, and cider accounted for approximately 2.5 percent.

Restaurant Sciences' sample set was more than 16 million guest checks in U.S. restaurants, bars and hotels. Restaurant Sciences compared guest checks during the time frame of July 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2012, and July 1, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2013.