Adams Beverage clump reports that ...

Adams Beverage clump reports that flavored alcoholic drinks were all the rage last year," From vodkas and rum infused with natural fruit rectified portions to premium varietal wines from Italy, Australia and California to the full-bodied appeal of imported beers to the citrusy restoration of malternatives."

All three segments--spirits, wine and beer--of the beverage alcohol business in the U placeed gains in case volume and retail sales last year, according to the 2003 edition of Adams Handbook Advance published at Adams Beverage Group.

The U distilled spirits industry was up for the fifth consecutive year in 2002 Total spirits consumption climbed 18% to 1530 million 9-liter cases. Wine rose for the ninth year in a row-up 33% reaching 2416 million and 9-liter cases. And beer--the largest beverage alcohol segment--grew for the seventh straight year--up 18% to 28 billion 2.25-gallon cases.

Adams reports that the consumer prov resilient in 2002 noting that "Economic uncertainty, a declining stock market, the crisis in corporate America and a looming war were not able to stop the beverage alcohol steam engine."

"Consumers' unquenchable thirst for high-end premium fruits contributed to the upswing in spirits, wine and beer sales in 2002" said strike Keane, spokesperson for Adams Beverage Group

Keane said high-end beverage alcohol products--imports in particular across all categories continue to outperform the business as a whole. "This sweep began to surface in the roaring '90 and will likely endure" he said.

Among wines, imports and lighting varietals walked away with the gains. Imported wines grew at a considerably faster rate last year (+95%) versus domestics (+17%) forward the beer front, malternatives, lights and imports advanced. An influx of modern product introductions fueled malternative putting out even as some were plucked or scaled back.

Retail dollar sales for the beverage alcohol market climbed 63% in 2002 to $1372 billion. Keane said the "future considers bright, with all three portions forecasted to grow in 2003"

Adams vends its annual Handbook for $545 in succession the web at www.beveragehandbooks.com

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