While nearly a third of Americans are currently under some form of a âstay-at-homeâ mandate, some of them have famously been hoarding âessentialsâ like toilet paper, Mountain Dew, and, as it turns out, beer.
Unlike the shortages of critical supplies like masks and hand sanitizer, however, the beer industry has so far been able to meet the increased demand as Americans prepare for a protracted restriction on large gatherings and the closure of businesses like bars, restaurants, pubs, and taprooms with no end-date in sight.
The beer industryâs ability to meet increased demand, which is at levels typically found around the 4th of July, a peak season for the sector, is even more remarkable considering that 40% of craft beer gets sold as draft-drawn beer. Craft brewers have long focused on higher-margin draft sales and operating of taprooms, but companies that can or bottle beer are mobilizing to help those smaller craft beer makers that up until now have not canned their products stay afloat while taprooms and restaurants remain closed.
