Top 5 Craft Beer Headlines: A Week In Review
At Craft Beverage Jobs, we spend many hours each week researching current events within the craft beer industry. News about industry growth, new business, job openings and personal profiles helps keep us up to date on what’s happening in craft beer across the world.
At the end of each week, that adds up to a lot of information. So, we thought we would share with you our picks for the Top 5 Craft Beer Headlines from each week! Here is Craft Beer Headlines: A Week In Review.
1. Craft Beer Dethrones The King!
Bud Crowded Out by Craft Beer Craze, by Tripp Mickle, – The Wall Street Journal
GREENSBORO, N.C.—The wall behind the bar at Jake’s Billiards has 69 taps offering beer choices that range from California’s Lagunitas Fusion 22 to Natty Greene ’s Buckshot, which is brewed across town. The last tap in the long row belongs to Budweiser, and it is about to be removed.
No reason to keep Bud on tap…Our clientele likes the craft beers.
A Halloween promotion earned Budweiser a place at the bar, a hot spot frequented by students and recent graduates of the University of North Carolina here, but owner Jessica Dewey sees no reason to keep Bud on tap. She sells 20 cases of Bud bottles each week, “but it’s mostly to older gentlemen and country kids. Our clientele likes the craft beers.”
The self-proclaimed King of Beers is more of an afterthought among young consumers at Jake’s and bars across the U.S.: Some 44% of 21- to 27-year-old drinkers today have never tried Budweiser, according to the brand’s parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev NV.
Budweiser has a 7.6% share of the $100 billion U.S. beer market, down from 10% five years ago, and 14.4% a decade ago, according to Beer Marketer’s Insights. The biggest Budweiser drinkers are between the ages of 28 and 34 and consumption among that age group will decline as they settle down.
In their demographic, craft beer makes up 15% of their out-of-home buys, compared with 10% for older generations, according to Nielsen, and it is growing by two percentage points a year. They also consume more cider, flavored-malt beverages and ready-to-drink cocktails.
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2. Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine™ Makes Hottest Magazines Of 2014 List
Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Named One of 30 Hottest Magazine Launches of 2014, by Craft Beer & Brewing
Each year, Samir “Mr. Magazine” Husni (director of the Magazine Innovation Center and professor at the University of Mississippi’s Meek School of Journalism) publishes a report on the top 30 hottest new magazine launches, and his 2014 list, released this week, includes upstart craft beer title, Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine™.
Husni said of the magazine,
Craft beer is the ‘in’ thing in beer these days, and this magazine is a bible for everything you need to know about it and actually brewing this kind of libation. This magazine leaves nothing behind, teaching the reader how to brew it, drink it, and enjoy the different aspects of craft beer.
Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine ™ joins other notable titles on the list, such as GQ Style, Dr. Oz The Good Life, Angler’s Journal, Politico Magazine, The Pitchfork Review, and even the re-launch of Newsweek.
Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine™ parent company Unfiltered Media Group is 100 percent employee-owned, committed to sustainability and service to the craft beer and brewing community, and was launched by seasoned media veterans John Bolton (CEO and publisher), Jamie Bogner (CCO and editorial director), and Stephen Koenig (cofounder). All were excited to translate their passion for craft beer and homebrewing into the new magazine launch.
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3. Razorbacks Love Craft Beer!
Craft brew craze sweeping Arkansas, by Marine Glisovic – KATV-ABC
It’s cold, original, and is made to cater to a beer drinker’s palate; craft beers are sweeping the nation even here in Arkansas, where more than 20 breweries have popped up throughout the state. But what’s with the craft brew craze?
After talking to some of the local brewers here in central Arkansas, it’s clear that more and more beer drinkers are seeking out unique brews to satisfy their taste buds.
To see the impact craft beer is having, just check out your local liquor store. Many are now dedicating rows and rows to highlight the vast variety
of beer being produced around the country. With names like ‘Lil Helper,’ ‘Winter Grind’ and ‘Spiffy Britches,’ originality is definitely a key.
This craft beer craze is now filtering down to Arkansas with more than 20 local breweries around the state. What’s behind the sudden surge?
“Whether it coffee or it’s wine or fine food, people are looking for a better quality product and craft beer is certainly on the forefront of that,” said Diamond Bear Brewing Company Owner, Russ Melton.
Here in central Arkansas, beer is booming with a number of new breweries and more on tap in the near future, each with their own unique approach.
“Our beer has become extremely popular amongst some of the better restaurants in town, it’s a beer that pairs very well with different foods, the different varieties that we have,” said Beard.
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4. Oregon’s Craft Breweries Generate $1.3 Billion in Economic Activity
Best state in america: Oregon, for craft beer, by Reid Wilson – The Washington Post
The Brewers Association
Oregon is home to more than 180 craft breweries, defined as companies that produce less than 6 million barrels of beer annually. That’s fewer breweries than its West Coast neighbors, California and Washington, but Oregon has more breweries per capita than any other state.
The state’s craft breweries generate almost $1.3 billion in economic activity — $449 for every Oregonian age 21 and older — which is more per capita than every other state. And Oregonians are loyal to their state. Oregon Craft Beer, the industry’s association, reports that 53 percent of all draft beers poured within the state’s borders come from in-state breweries.
By more subjective measures, Oregon still comes out on top. Thrillist, an online magazine dedicated to food, travel and drink, ranked Oregon beers the best in the country, beating out California and Colorado.
5. Tactica One: Crafted Tool For Crafted Beers
Tactica One: A precision tool for your beer, by Dan – The Full Pint
A group of Melbourne industrial designers have created the perfect precision tool for premium beers. TACTICA One uses a high tech material not found in traditional bottle openers, making it lightweight and super strong. More importantly it’s been designed to fit in perfectly with the everyday carry of urbanites world wide.
They have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help bring this product to market. Here’s a video demonstrating the product, as well as a link you can follow to contribute.
Come Back Next Week
This is an article for the Craft Beer Geek! You know who you are! Craft Beer Headlines: A Week In Review, will be a weekly article
published each Saturday morning. So, come back each Saturday when we highlight another Top 5 Headlines in the world of Craft Beer.
I work until beer o’clock – Steven King