AB InBev’s Beyond Beer business – which includes brands such as Mike’s Hard, Flying Fish and Bud Light Seltzer - generated more than $1bn in 2020 and grew by more than 40% in Q1, 2021.
Known primarily as the world’s largest brewer - with big global brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light and Stella Artois - AB InBev now identifies the emergence of a ‘fourth key category’ between beer, wine and spirits: the ‘beyond beer’ category which includes RTD alcohol, canned cocktails, hard seltzers and flavored malt beverages.
“The lines between the established segments within alcohol - beer, wine, and spirits - continue to blur. A fourth category, defined as the intersection between these segments, has emerged as a relevant player with significant growth potential,” said Carlos Brito, CEO, speaking in last week s Q1 2021 earnings call.