Comment by version_five

The important part is at the end:

  However, the state of alcohol purchasing says something larger about the American consumer. We’re seeing folks once again organize into two camps – haves and have nots.

  Consumer demand for singular “sub-premium” beers is rising at the same time as high-end mezcal.

This has been accelerating since the 2008 "crisis" and got way worst the past few years. There is no middle, there's either premium to cater to the (mostly) white collar class who are now comparatively rich, and there's crap for the working class, who are now super poor.