Liquor Trounces Beer in 2004

After review of the latest company reports, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) predicts US spirits shipments for 2004 grew 3.1% in volume and 5.8% in dollars. That's the second straight year of 3%+ gains for the first time in many years. This translated into 164.2 million 9-liter cases and $14.7 billion in revenue. Beer shipments will be lucky if we clear up 0.5% for 2004. In other words, we got trounced again.The distiller's organization stated that