It’s no surprise that Americans are in love with beer, from a light lager to a stout. In fact, according to a 2023 sales-data report from Toast – an all-in-one digital platform for restaurants – the most popular on-premise alcoholic drink in all 50 U.S. states is beer*. (Fascinatingly, Minnesota tops all 50 states with customers drinking about 53% more beer per restaurant location, as compared to the national average).

Overall, the beer category will remain mostly buoyant in 2023, with a forecast volume growth of roughly one to two percent – per IWSR, a leading source of data and intelligence for the $1.5 trillion global alcoholic beverage market. In addition, on-premise beer sales are expected to reach pre-COVID levels by 2025.

Bar & Restaurant News spoke with numerous bar and restaurant owners and operators, as well as beer experts, to gather their insights on what’s trending with beer in 2023, fall beers to watch, and advice for a successful beer menu.

Attract Customers with a Robust Beer Menu Across the Spectrum of Beer Styles
In the end, a bar or restaurant should consider having a robust menu with beer choices across the entire spectrum of styles, as every customer has their favorites, according to Aaron Bisges, chief operating officer at StillFire Brewing in Suwanee, Ga., which just was named “Georgia Brewery of the Year” at the New York International Beer Competition.

“Specializing too heavily in one category can turn customers off,” said Bisges. “We offer light options, IPAs, sours, stouts, seltzers, distilled spirits, and even a homemade root beer for the kids,” he said. “As far as [beer] events, do not be scared to try something original! Themed parties are especially a hit, where customers and staff can get into the festivities by dressing up. We gear our food truck menu and live entertainment around the theme to create an immersive experience in the taproom.”

Read the full article By Aaron Kiel., From the Beer Report here.