In February, the National Beer Wholesalers Association’s beer purchasers’ index showed an raise in total beer sales year more than year. Segments like sub-premium beers — feel Keystone and Pabst Blue Ribbon — as properly as seltzers saw upticks. Meanwhile, the craft segment suffered the biggest decline across the board.

“Craft beer on a entire we’ve observed an eight% reduce [in sales]. But we’ve observed basically a 7% raise in import and domestic, so a lot of price tag-conscious shoppers are out there,” stated Jason Perkins, owner of Perk’s Beer and Beverage in Scarborough, Maine.

Given that opening 4 years ago, Perkins has noticed that beer-only drinkers are a lot more prepared to broaden their horizons.

“Fifteen years ago, or even in all probability significantly less than that, it is if you are a beer drinker, you are a beer drinker,” Perkins stated. “And that does not genuinely exist any longer. With the younger men and women coming by means of now, exactly where it is, you know, a common evening could be a beer, seltzer and a cocktail or a beer, seltzer and a glass of wine.”

To listen to Perkins’ story, click the audio player above.

There’s a lot taking place in the globe.  By way of it all, Marketplace is right here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and inform you how it impacts you in a reality-primarily based, approachable way. We rely on your economic assistance to preserve generating that probable. 

Your donation currently powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $five/month, you can support sustain Marketplace so we can preserve reporting on the issues that matter to you.