The Katrina Effect

The Beer Institute said September 2006 industry shipments grew 1.3%, surprisingly high given the dismal Labor Day showing. However, a close examination of the numbers makes it clear that cycling Katrina saved the month. Over 90% of the growth in September came from Louisiana and Texas. The rest of the country was flat. While September Katrina numbers were soft in the Tex-iana region, look for the rest of the year to be cycling tough numbers as thirsty construction crews descended