"We continue to see consumers trading up to more premium products and gradually returning to the on-premise in the US," said soon-to-be Beam Inc chief Matt Shattock during Fortune Brand's second quarter earnings conference call (3 months ended June 30). And it looks like spirits is in a good position. The company predicts that the US spirits market will grow in dollar value by 3-4% in 2011. "Notably," said Matt, "the bourbon segment in the US is now growing faster than vodka according to latest Nielsen data."