Vanderbilt_Grad wrote:yosemiteben wrote:Pumpkin beers started showing up on shelves in Charlotte August 1 when it was 100 degrees outside around here. Come on now.
http://drinkcraftbeer.com/editorial/articles/why-is-pumpkin-beer-released-in-august.html
I'm skeptical the consumer is driving it. Over that same period craft beer sales went up ~ 75% and I would guess google searches for craft beer in general would follow (along with more googlers). Also craft sales surpassed Budweiser so they are constantly adding new products to steal shelf space in an attempt to crowd smaller competitors.
It's retail so I'd say there's a healthy dose of marketing/distribution done by Bud/Miller to plant their flags early which forces the entire industry to follow. The true test is if the local pubs have it on tap and people are drinking it.

















