Although U.S. distillers have surpassed brewers in total revenue for the first time last year, Brian Crawford, president/ceo, Beer Institute, professed to be unconcerned.  Beer, he said, "remains America's No.1 choice in beverage alcohol" by volume and has had a special place in our nation's past, present, and future.

“It’s interesting to hear liquor companies boast about making money hand-over-fist while simultaneously going state-to-state hunting for more tax carveouts from state legislatures,” Crawford said in a statement.

"It's important to consider the context of their claims. If the liquor industry is making more money simply because they are charging a higher premium for their products, it's not a true reflection of its market success.”