Diageo: We Don’t Have to Buy Beer Co.

But first, let's look at Diageo's results so far this year with their beer business. While Diageo's PABs aren't setting the world on fire anymore, their beer business is quietly defying the imported beer slump. North American beer sales were up 6% YTD through June, with solid growth of Guinness and Smithwicks. Diageo said successful marketing of Smithwick's Irish heritage delivered strong growth albeit off a low base, with volume up 19% and dollar sales up 20% following national price