American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
The Brewers Association just released 2014 data on American craft brewing’s overall growth last year and the numbers once again were impressive. For the first-time ever, US craft brewers commanded a double-digit (11 percent) volume share of the marketplace…But that was just one of this report’s many highlights…
So fasten your seatbelts everybody, because American craft beer is on a roll!
2014 Redux
In 2014, craft brewers produced 22.2 million barrels – that’s an 18% rise in volume and a 22% increase in retail dollar value. Retail dollar value was estimated at $19.6 billion – we now own a 19.3% share of the market.
“With the total beer market up only 0.5 percent in 2014, craft brewers are key in keeping the overall industry innovative and growing. This steady growth shows that craft brewing is part of a profound shift in American beer culture–a shift that will help craft brewers achieve their ambitious goal of 20 percent market share by 2020,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “Small and independent brewers are deepening their connection to local beer lovers while continuing to create excitement and attract even more appreciators.”
More Craft Breweries than At Any Time in Recent History
The number of operating breweries in the states also grew to 19% in 2014. That’s 3,464 breweries, 3,418 of those considered craft. The breakdown according to the BA is as follows: 1,871 microbreweries, 1,412 brewpubs and 135 regional craft breweries.
There were 615 new brewery openings last year and only 46 closings (which is also wonderful news). Combined with already existing breweries and brew pubs, the BA is reporting that craft brewers provided an astounding 115,469 jobs – an increase, according to them, of almost 5,000 additional jobs over the previous year.
“These small businesses are one of the bright spots in both our economy and culture. Craft brewers are serving their local communities, brewing up jobs and boosting tourism,” added Watson. “Craft brewers are creating high quality, differentiated beers; new brewers that match this standard will be welcomed in the market with open arms
The report went on to note that these numbers are preliminary. The Brewers Association will release the list of Top 50 craft brewing companies and overall brewing companies by volume sales on March 31 and a more extensive analysis will be released during the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Portland, Oregon from April 14-17. The full 2014 industry analysis will be published in the May/June 2015 issue of The New Brewer, highlighting regional trends and production by individual breweries.
