Beer tax revenues were down in 2011

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Sales are down for one of Wisconsin’s best-known products. Beer tax revenues in the Badger State are down three-percent last year, compared to 2010. And Gannett’s Wisconsin newspapers said beer tax payments were at their lowest in at least five years. But the malted brew is still immensely popular. Gannett said taxes were paid on 394-thousand barrels in April alone – which translates to over 130-million 12-ounce servings. State records indicate that Miller-Coors and Anheuser-Busch sell four-of-every-five beers in Wisconsin. But foreign brews made up of less than one-percent of sales – products like Corona of Mexico and the Dutch beer Heineken. And a variety of micro-brews throughout Wisconsin are getting more popular including Potosi beer and O’so of Plover. Pete Madland of the Wisconsin Tavern League says more folks are enjoying their favorite beers at home, while tavern patronage has gone down.

Tags: news, wisconsin, oddball