The origin of beer approximately dates back to the early Neolithic period, and is one of the oldest beverages in the world. Beer, is generally made from four basic ingredients namely, malted cereal grains, hops, water and yeast, which are fermented over a period of time. Additionally, flavoring ingredients such as herbs and fruits are also used in beer. Different types of beer are available in the market, of which, ale and lager are the two commercially popular beer types. The primary difference between a lager and the ale is the temperature level at which they are fermented. The trend of beer consumption is increasing due to rising disposable incomes, changing lifestyles and the increasing demand for craft beer. In addition to this, health concerns associated with the consumption of beer, have resulted in an increased demand for low calorie beers and beers with lesser alcohol content. Heavy taxation policies and legal regulations in alcoholic beverages industry restrain the growth of this market.
The beer market is segmented into light and strong beer. The strong beer segment accounted for 65.6% of the total beer market, generating a revenue of $318.4 billion in 2014. The strong beer market would witness a robust growth in the coming years. On the other hand, light beer segment, which accounted for 34.4% of the total market, is anticipated to decline further in future due to changing preferences of consumers.
Players in the market are adopting product launch and collaborations as key developmental strategies to meet the changing demands of the market and expand their customer base. In November 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev, launched Oculto, a tequila-flavored beer in the U.S market. This beer is targeted at younger consumers who increasingly prefer Mexican beer and liquor. Moreover, global increase in the number of female drinkers has resulted in the introduction of flavored beers with lesser alcohol content. Partnerships enable the market players to share...