2016 Craft Beer in
Review
Reflecting on the
significant impact of small and independent craft breweries in 2016, the
Brewers Association—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and
independent American brewers—looked back on the defining beer moments of 2016.
“In
the face of numerous opportunities and challenges in 2016, small and
independent craft brewers continue to thrive,” said Bart Watson, chief
economist, Brewers Association. “This community should be very proud of what it
has accomplished and how far it has come.”
Of note in 2016:
● Brewery Count: Five thousand strong and
growing, there are now 5,005 breweries in the U.S. compared to 10,000 wineries.
Almost all (99%) are small and independent craft brewers.
● Continued Growth for the Segment: By
mid-year, small and independent breweries grew by eight percent, reflecting
dynamism and a bright spot for the domestic beer market.
● Never Go Out of Styles: IPAs continue to
hop up, now accounting for roughly one-quarter of craft volume. More sessionable styles, including golden
ales, pilseners and pale lagers, are up 33 percent, totaling nearly five
percent of craft.
● Freedom of Choice: As the world’s two
largest brewers merged into a multinational conglomerate two and a half times
the size of the U.S. beer market, the BA was at the center of the discussion,
advocating for fair competition for the nation’s small and independent craft
brewers and access to market ensuring beer enthusiasts get to continue to
choose from a vast variety of options. Approximately 65 percent of craft beer
lovers said they are drinking more craft specifically because it offers more
variety.
● Homebrewing Impact: The National Homebrew
Competition continues to be the world's largest beer competition with 7,962
entries. A recent measurement of homebrewing found that its 1.2 million
participants created over 11,000 jobs, resulting in more than $1 billion in
spending and over $700 million in revenues.
● Beer Destinations: Recognizing a rising
interest in beer tourism, Travelocity enlisted the expertise of the BA to find
the country's best beer destinations and create the very first Beer Tourism
Index. Additionally, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA)—the leading
community for homebrewers—unveiled a list of cities across the U.S. where
homebrewing is on the rise.
● American Craft Beer Abounds Abroad: Craft
beer export volume increased by 16.3 percent, totaling 446,151 barrels and
worth $116 million. More than 100 small and independent craft brewers export
their beer internationally, spreading the culture and community of craft beer
and a growing recognition and respect for American brewers.
● Bipartisan Beer Support: With a craft
brewery in nearly every congressional district in the country, more than half
of the U.S. Congress now supports the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax
Reform Act. The BA has been a key player in moving forward this bipartisan
legislation that seeks to recalibrate the current federal excise tax structure
for the nation’s brewers and reform burdensome laws regulating America’s
brewing industry.
● History Has Its Eyes on Beer: With support
from the Brewers Association, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American
History announced that it will launch a three-year initiative to collect,
document and preserve the history of brewing, craft brewers and the beer
industry in America. The job posting for a Historian to study brewing history
was one of the most viral beer stories of the year, an indicator of how much
people care about this vital industry.
● Perfect Pair: Beer and food continue to
find harmony on plates and palates. Seventy-three percent of craft beer
purchasers gave “complements my meal” as a very or somewhat important selection
criteria in their beer choice when dining out. Sixty-three percent select beer
based on the food item or meal they are planning to enjoy.
“This
has been an exponentially exciting year as the beer community continues to grow
and evolve. It is incredible to watch local brewers innovate and validate the
new way the world views the U.S. beer scene,” said Julia Herz, craft beer
program director, Brewers Association. “Much of the dialogue in 2016 centered
around the craft brewer definition, who qualifies as a small and independent
brewer, what independence means to beer lovers, beer quality and beer
appreciation. We will renew our efforts in 2017 on behalf of our members and
the beer drinkers around the world and continue to advance the amazing beverage
of beer.”
Note:
Figures are a compilation of data provided by the Brewers Association, IRI
Group and Nielsen and do not represent all craft beer sales. The Brewers
Association will release a comprehensive annual analysis of craft brewer
production in March of 2017.
About the Brewers
Association
The
Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small
and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing
enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of
the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer
brewed in the U.S.
The
BA organizes events including the World Beer CupSM, Great American Beer
Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft
Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew Con, National Homebrew Competition and
American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its
Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and
relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.
Beer
lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at
CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers
Association and the free Brew Guru™ mobile app. Follow us on Twitter.
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