Last Call for Retirees

Molson Canada has had to cut its unique benefit: It will no longer supply its 2,400 retirees with free beer, according to a news report by Reuters. Turning off the tap for retirees will save the company about C$1 million ($900,000).

Current workers will still receive free beer, but will see cutbacks from 72 dozen bottles a year to 52 dozen, according to the news report.

Brews in the News

The Molson retirees might not be happy about having to buy beer, but sales show that many others are.

Despite the financial downturn, beer sales are up. MillerCoors, the second-largest brewer in the United States, saw beer sales growth slow less rapidly in the downturn than wine and spirits, according to Reuters. Early in May, MillerCoors said first-quarter net sales rose 3.8% to give a net profit for January to March of $68.5 million. As some consumers traded down to more economical brands like Miller High Life and Keystone Light, those brands gained maket share.

Beer after Exercise

In other beer news, a recent study suggests that beer has the power to rehydrate after a workout better than water. Researchers at Granada University in Spain studied 25 students over several months and found that, after exercise, those who were given beer were slightly better rehydrated than those who were only given water. The researchers believe it is the sugars, salts, and bubbles in the beer that might help people absorb fluids more quickly (similar to some ingredients in a sports drink).

Want Cheese with that Beer?

As Father’s Day is around the corner, an online cheese retailer wondered if fathers prefer beer with their cheese. Fathers might enjoy a nice cold one, but most of them still choose wine over beer when eating gourmet cheese, according to the survey by The Cheese Ambassador. However, more than a quarter (27%) of surveyed dads would choose beer with their gourmet cheese, most likely reaching for imports or domestic craft beers.

Whichever you would choose, cheers!