IPA Trends Continue While Approachable Beers & Stouts Make Big Jumps in Popularity According to BeerBoard Study
This month BeerBoard released its latest Pour Report, providing insights into the strongest performers and trending beer styles from Q4 2016 (October, November, December) as compared to the same period in 2015.The report saw IPA maintaining its position as the #3 overall beer category (#1 for craft), while growing 13% in pours from 2015 to 2016. Within the IPA style, Session IPAs climbed 50 places to come in at #73 on the style chart – a growth trend that is expected to continue.
Additionally, the report showed that approachable beers like American Blonde Ales and American Pale Wheat beers made big jumps in popularity, each climbing seven positions to land at the #15 and #20 spots, respectively. Stouts and Imperial Stours jumped even higher, with a climb of 11 positions on the style chart to #27 and #35, respectively. Stouts were up 49% and Imperials moved up 50% in comparison to 2015 pours.
BeerBoard monitors over 50,000 draft lines and 35,000 products through its Integrated Beer Management and Guest Display System. Installed at thousands of client locations, its services include SmartBar, which generates pour data and trend-driven analytics, BeerBoard Display, a consumer-facing digital menu display, BeerBoard Menu, automated print and website menus, and a consumer mobile application.
“Our quarterly BeerBoard Pour Report continues to be a great barometer of brand and style trends across the country,” said Mark Young, Founder and CEO of BeerBoard. “The data and analysis included provide not only interesting facts and information, but fantastic value to brewers and operators alike.”
To view the full report, please click here. BeerBoard used a sample-set of same-store sales for brands ACTUALLY POURED to generate the report results.
More information on the most beer brands by category can be found below:
IPA
- Of note: Pushing the popularity numbers are the brewers at Bell’s, Lagunitas, Samuel Adams, Goose Island, Deschutes, and Harpoon.
- Top mover: Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA was the style’s biggest mover (+91%).
- Against the grain: The biggest climber was Angel City IPA, which climbed 189 positions to land at #33 on the style chart.
American Blonde Ale
- Of note: The category growth was driven by the brewers at Firestone Walker, Kona, Deep Ellum, and Southern Prohibition.
- Top mover: Southern Prohibition Suzy B was the style’s biggest mover (+99%). It was also the biggest climber, moving up 18 positions to come in at #4 on the style chart.
- Against the grain: Deep Ellum’s Dallas Blonde was up 71% and moved to the #3 overall American Blonde.
American Pale Wheat
- Of note: The brands that drove the growth in this category were Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’, Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat, and Bell’s Oberon.
- Top mover: Samuel Adams Nitro Whilte Ale was the style’s biggest mover (+94%).
- Against the grain: Atwater Dirty Blonde from Detroit climbed 15 positions on the list and was poured 80% more in Q4 2016 than in Q4 2015.
American Stout
- Top mover: Onyx Coffee Stout was one of the fastest climbers over the past year, moving up 12 positions and growing by 89%.
- Against the grain: Obsidian Stout from Deschutes climbed nine positions and was up 90% over the same period in 2015.
About BeerBoard
BeerBoard monitors over 50,000 draft lines and 35,000 products through its Integrated Beer Management and Guest Display System. Installed at thousands of client locations, its services include SmartBar, which generates pour data and trend-driven analytics, BeerBoard Display, a digital consumer-facing menu display, BeerBoard Menu, automated print and website menus, and a consumer mobile application. The company services high profile independent groups and major chain clients throughout North America, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters, Applebees and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.
