On-premise consumption of beverage alcohol fell 1.1% overall in 2017, to 1.7 million cases, according to the Beverage Information Group’s 2018 Cheers On-Premise Handbook. Much of that is due to the 1.6% decrease in cases of beer sold on-premise, while wine was up just 0.5%. Spirits sales continue to be the “bright spot,” up 2.5% in 2017, although that’s down from the 4.7% increase the segment saw in 2016. Craft and classic cocktails are driving spirits sales in bars and restaurants, and consumers are also still interested in brown spirits, namely bourbon. On-premise sales of American whiskey increased 4.2% in 2017. Champagnes and sparkling wines continue a gaining share of on-premise consumption, comprising 7% of all on-premise wine. Credited to a continued prosecco boom, imported Champagne/sparkling wines grew 8% versus domestic options, which increased 7%.