As the economy stabilizes, consumers are trading up for the premium beer offerings available through the imported beers segment, says Edward Hyseh, U.S. research analyst for Euromonitor International, Chicago.

The beer category, which includes domestic beer, imported beer, craft beer, hard cider and flavored malt beverages, has mostly remained flat or suffered minimal declines in off-premise accounts in recent years, according to market research firms.

Pyramid Brewing Co. launched a new year-round beer that merges hoppiness with drinkability, it says.

Rogue Ales released its Rogue Farms 7 Hop IPA and Rogue Farms Chipotle Ale in 22-ounce bottles and on draft nationwide.

St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch (A-B), a division of AB InBev, is doubling the size of its Bud Light Lime “Ritas” portfolio with the introduction of two new permanent flavors: Mang-O-Rita and Raz-Ber-Rita.

Fireman’s Brew, a Los Angeles-based craft brewery founded by two firefighters, announced partnerships with three Ohio-based distributors — Beverage Distributors Inc., Tramonte Distributing and Classic Brands — to distribute its beers throughout the state. Ohio marks the brand’s 14th distribution state, joining California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, Virginia, Rhode Island, New York and Hawaii.

Crown Imports LLC, a Chicago-based division of Constellation Brands, announced that its Corona Light brand will expand on draft in more than 35 U.S. markets, and its Corona Extra brand will make its debut on draft in three test markets.

Anheuser-Busch, the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev, introduced Busch Signature Copper Lager in 12 Midwestern states.

In anticipation of the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser brand revealed “Rise As One,” a global creative campaign on behalf of its sponsorship of the tournament.

MillerCoors LLC, a joint venture of SABMiller and Molson Coors, launched Miller Fortune lager to help the beer category regain share of the market that has been lost to spirits, wine and their drinking occasions, says Karina Diehl, communications manager for the Miller family of brands and multicultural brands.