U.S. brewers shipped approximately 11.4 million barrels of beer in February, returning to pre-pandemic levels after “two unusual years of swings,” according to Beer Institute (BI) VP of research Danelle Kosmal, citing numbers from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
February’s shipments were about 550,000 barrels above February 2022 levels, with volume increasing +5.1% year-over-year (YoY).
Domestic shipments in February 2022 (10.8 million) were the lowest recorded shipments for any February in the last decade, so the month was cycling easier comps. However, “mild weather conditions,” large brewer growth and new innovation launches were also contributing factors to growth, Kosmal wrote.
Additionally, “some wholesalers loaded up in December, prior to price increases taking effect in January,” which led to “a lag in shipments in January” and “brewers and distributors catching up in February,” Kosmal wrote.
Imported beer shipments totaled 2,976,601 barrels in February, a +1.2% increase compared to February 2022.
“Unlike domestic shipments, imported beer shipments had very tough comps from February 2022, which grew by 18% compared to February 2021 and were the highest recorded imported shipments for any February from the past decade,” Kosmal wrote. “So while imports experienced minimal growth for February, these are very tough comps.”
Mexican imports were flat, lapping a +39% increase in February 2021. Dutch (+20%), German (+26.2%) and Belgian (+25.5%) imports all recorded YoY increases.
State shipments to wholesalers increased +4.7% YoY, to nearly 14.2 million barrels, with year-to-date (YTD) shipments increasing +0.2% versus 2022.
Thirty-five states, including Washington, D.C., recorded a February increase in volume. The top five growth contributors – Missouri (+24.6%), Virginia (+19%), Ohio (+12.6%), California (+7.6%) and Texas (+5.7%) – contributed to nearly half (48%) of the total growth.
It should be noted that preliminary reports are estimates and may change as final data is added later in the year.
The BI’s March economic reports will be released May 5.