Local Bars & Pubs Doing Well in spite of Bad Economy

Everyday we hear of layoffs, bankruptcy and other bad economic news. The one thing that remains constant and even seen improvements are the local bars, pubs and brewery.

Are bars recession proof?

It is a given that people are going out less, but still beer sales have increased. Some have even increased in the double digits.

Chip McElroy — president of Austin’s Live Oak Co., said "People are not giving up their quality beer..."

Paul Gatza, director of the Brewer’s Association, said Southern and South Central U.S. brewers have seen about 16 percent growth over the previous year.

There is also a Texas bill that could be passed later this year. If passed, sales could sky rocket even more. The proposed bill allows Texas craft breweries to sell ale directly to patrons, a change that brewers say could boost revenues and allow breweries to more fully develop tourism as part of their business models.

source: http://rss.msnbc.msn.com/id/29382588/