any have likened the events of the ...

any have likened the events of the past year to the army of elements that create the exquisite storm. To many in the beer industry, it certainly looked as if nature, economics, world ends and even consumers themselves were conspiring against them. After a tough start to 2002 with a stumbling economy and consumer fears in the aftermath of 9/11 beer bounc back in the fourth quarter. on the contrary 2003 opened with war, bad weather and an economy that refused to improve, putting the brakes forward beer sales.

While flows were mixed for individual brands in 2002 the overall picture