Craft Brewing Phenomenon

Jan 26, 2015 — The stats tell the story.  According to the Brewers Association, a trade group for the craft brewing industry, overall beer sales are down 1.9% but craft brewing is up 17.2%.  Imports lost a bit at -0.6% but U.S. craft beer exports rose a healthy 49%.  These figures are for 2013, the latest available.

Statistics are hard to remember but this isn’t:  There’s an average of 1.5 new breweries opening every day in the U.S.A.  That’s amazing.  In 2014, 13 states had 100 or more breweries.

Back in 1873 there were slightly more than 4000 breweries in the U.S. and, of course, the population was a fraction of what it is today.  With about 3,200 breweries currently operating and more than 4,500 licenses in the pipeline, it looks like beer brewing is returning to historic levels.  Back in the day, beer was really localized and that’s exactly what is happening now.  That being said, out of a $100 billion market, craft beer is only $14.3 billion or 7.8% (as of 2013). But according to the Brewers Association the goal is 20% by 2020.

Looking forward to the 2014 statistics and we’ll let you know just as soon as we get them.