The Craft Effect: One In Four Beers Launched Globally In 2014 Was High Strength

With rising health awareness and concern about binge drinking driving sales of low and non-ABV beers among consumers, it seems counter-intuitive that innovation in strongly alcoholic beers should be rising.

But new research from Mintel has found that almost one in four (23%) beers launched globally in 2014 and 25% in 2013 had an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 6.5% or higher, up from just one in seven (15%) beers launched in 2012.

What’s more, largely due to the growth of craft beers, Mintel’s research finds that between 2011 and 2014, the number of beers launched globally with an ABV of 6.5% or over rose by 280%, with the number launched in North America growing by 319%, in Europe by 307%, in Latin America by 260% and in Asia Pacific by 46%.

Around the world between 2011 and 2014, North America saw the most beer launches with an ABV higher than 6.5%, with 46% of launches happening in this region, closely followed by Europe which hosted 40% of launches.

Between 2011 and 2014, the number of beers launched globally with an ABV of 6.5% or over rose by 280%…. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY AT 4HOTELIERS