Today’s top headlines for craft beer news are all about industry growth! The following headlines represent the top stories of this week for the US craft beer market.
We continue to appreciate all the support for our weekly Headlines In Craft Beer posts. If you have craft beer news happening in your area, please let us know! Send us an email to [email protected], add Craft Beer News to the subject line and share the link to the news article in the body of the email. Cheers!
Craft Beer Growth: The Numbers Don’t Lie
America’s love for craft beer reaches record numbers, by Janaki Jitchotvisut – Business Insider
Congratulations to Craft Beer in the U.S.A! For the first time, craft beer has reached double digits for volume share of the market. The jump was a significant one, from 7.8% in 2013 to 11% for 2014.
That’s not the only number to celebrate. The number of barrels produced was up 18%!
This steady growth shows that craft brewing is part of a profound shift in Amercan beer culture – a shift that will help craft brewers achieve their ambitious goal of 20 percent market share by 2020. Small and independent brewers are deepening their connection to local beer lover while continuing to create excitement and attract even more appreciators. – Bart Watson, Brewers Association chief economist
Craft Beer Growth In South Florida
Business is brewing: Craft beer brewers tapping into eager Southwest Florida market, by Patrick Riley – Naples News
Fort Myers Brewing Company is Lee County, Florida’s first craft brewery. They recently celebrated their 2 year anniversary by winning 3 gold medals for their High 5 IPA, OYA Imperial IPA and Chocolate Stout!
What started as a hobby in 1990 will not be expanding into a new 7,680 square-foot brewery!
Florida’s got some of the strictest alcohol regulations in the nation. We have the ninth highest alcohol tax in the nation. So when we first moved here we weren’t sure if it was really a viable idea. – Rob Whyte, founder of Fort Myers Brewing Co.
For the moment, Whyte says, they are doing business under a tourism exemption to bypass some of the Florida regulations. It was basically a loophole initally designed for Busch Gardens.
But the legislative tide is now turning, and the expectation is high that Florida will become one of the fastest growing craft beer states in the union.
Women Lead The Way For Craft Beer Growth In North Carolina
Craft beer industry is picking up speed, and these women are taking full advantage – with a focus on N.C., by Hilary Burns –Triangle Business Journal
The craft beer scene in North Carolina is no stranger to leading the way for progression in the industry. It’s also caught the attention of some of the leading women in craft beer.
In 2005, Foothills Brewing opened in Winston-Salem and brewed 780 barrels of beer their first year. Today, they average 32,400 barrels! Co-founder Sarah Bartholomaus, aka “mama bear”, became a leading pioneer for craft breweries in the Winston area.
Another pioneer in the industry, Kim Jordan of New Belgium, has sights for North Carolina. New Belgium will be opening their newest brewery in Asheville this coming December.
San Antonio Entrepreneurs Tapping Into Local Craft Beer Growth
San Antonio brewers tapping into expanding craft beer market, by W. Scott Bailey – San Antonio Business Journal
The latest numbers from The Brewers Association report the craft brewers accounted for 11 percent of the volume share in the U. S. beer market last year. That’s double digits for the industry!
San Antonio entrepreneurs are planning to take advantage. For example, Freetail Brewing Co. has already doubled its production since opening a new location on South Presa Street last year.
Just this month, Alamo Beer Co., opened its new $8 million brewery anticipating to double production with a goal of 10,000 barrels.
With the total beer market up only 0.5 percent in 2014, craft brewers are key in keeping the overall industry innovative and growing. – Bart Watson, chief economist for the Brewers Association
Ultimate Guide To A Career In Craft Beer
