Beer

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When it comes to the overall alcohol market, manufacturers not only are analyzing their own brand sales but also the respective categories in which they compete. For the beer category, hard ciders are offering consumers an entry point into this multibillion dollar industry, experts note.

Although craft beer case and dollar sales came in at a distant third to domestics and imports during the 52 weeks ending Dec. 29, 2013, in Information Resources Inc. (IRI)-measured channels, the burgeoning segment is making strides to garner more of that market share.

As the economy stabilizes, consumers are trading up for the premium beer offerings available through the imported beers segment, says Edward Hyseh, U.S. research analyst for Euromonitor International, Chicago.

The beer category, which includes domestic beer, imported beer, craft beer, hard cider and flavored malt beverages, has mostly remained flat or suffered minimal declines in off-premise accounts in recent years, according to market research firms.

Pyramid Brewing Co. launched a new year-round beer that merges hoppiness with drinkability, it says.

Rogue Ales released its Rogue Farms 7 Hop IPA and Rogue Farms Chipotle Ale in 22-ounce bottles and on draft nationwide.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch (A-B), a division of AB InBev, is doubling the size of its Bud Light Lime “Ritas” portfolio with the introduction of two new permanent flavors: Mang-O-Rita and Raz-Ber-Rita.

Fireman’s Brew, a Los Angeles-based craft brewery founded by two firefighters, announced partnerships with three Ohio-based distributors — Beverage Distributors Inc., Tramonte Distributing and Classic Brands — to distribute its beers throughout the state. Ohio marks the brand’s 14th distribution state, joining California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York and Hawaii.

Crown Imports LLC, a Chicago-based division of Constellation Brands, announced that its Corona Light brand will expand on draft in more than 35 U.S. markets, and its Corona Extra brand will make its debut on draft in three test markets.

Anheuser-Busch, the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev, introduced Busch Signature Copper Lager in 12 Midwestern states.