Silver Bullet Aims at Bud for No. 2 Beer Spot

MillerCoors CMO Andy England recently told distributors that Coors Light will overtake Budweiser as the no. 2 selling brew in the U.S. Analysts are saying that’s not just braggadocio, considering Budweiser’s long-running drop in sales and Coors Light’s steady trajectory upward. According to Beer Marketer’s Insights, Coors Light ended 2010 with an 8.5% market share, while Bud is barely ahead at 8.7%. Bud Light is the leader of the pack at 19.1%. MillerCoors is increasing marketing spending by $50 million this year, and part of its efforts for Coors Light include signing hip-hop artist Ice Cube to appear in ads for the brand.Continue reading...

Chicago's Goose Island craft beer brand has been bought by its distribution partner, Anheuser-Busch, for $38.8 million. Goose Island's two brew pubs, one of which recently collaborated (above) with past Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, are not part of the deal.

Naturally, not everyone was thrilled with the news, particularly fans of its brews such as Honkers Ale and Goose Island brewmaster Greg Hall, who is being replaced by his second-in-command (and, payout notwithstanding, being gracious about it).