Happy weekend everybody! For today’s Craft Beer Headlines: A Week In Review, we look at some of the top stories from the past week for legislation, growth and festivals in craft beer. These are news headlines published from both local and national publications, all highlighting craft beer. If you want to know more, we’ve provided the article title, author, publication, and link so that you can conveniently visit their website for the full post. Cheers!
Craft Beer Headline
Self-Serve Craft Beer
Self-Serve Craft Beer Is Coming, And It Might Even Save You Money, by Brad Tuttle – Time.com
Dog Haus, the California “craft casual hot dog” chain, will be adding self-service craft beer stations in two locations. Pour your own and pay by the ounce!
The software making this option available is called iPourIt. You can choose from a list of local SoCal brewers from a touchscreen, show your ID and make your purchase. Prices are listed by the ounce, so you can pour yourself a variety of craft beers.
This concept isn’t new. iPourIt has been used at festivals and ballparks for several years, but now seems to be catching on in the retail sector. Check out how the system works from the video below taken at the LA County Fair in 2013:
Craft Beer Legislation
Craft Bill Gets Signature!
Charleston brewer among those excited after craft beer bill signed, by Phil Kabler – WVGazette
On Tuesday, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into law SB273, aimed at lowering licensing fees and bonding requirements for craft brewers. It also removes restrictions on brewers when it comes to both retail and the sale of growlers.
Perhaps the greatest benefit isn’t the legislation itself, but the educating of West Virginia legislators on what the craft beer industry can bring to the state.
It’s an economic development bill. It has the potential to bring new economic opportunities for West Virginia small businesses. – Sen. Chris Walters, R-Kanawha
Beer Growth
Craft Beer Exports Continuing The Growth Trend
Craft beer exports near $100 million, by Tom Rotunno – CNBC
Craft beer exports were up 35.7% for 2014, reaching $99.7 million. One of the contributing factors is American breweries crossing the Atlantic to court European beer drinkers. For example, Brooklyn Brewery has found a lot of success in Sweden and Stone Brewing Co. has plans for a brewery in Germany.
Top Export Markets For Craft Beer:
- Canada: 53%
- Sweden: 12%
- United Kingdom: 10.7%
- Australia: 5.1%
- South Korea: 3.4%
Craft Beer Coming To A Grocery Store Near You
Kroger making more room in cold aisle for booming craft brew industry, by Dan Eaton – BizJournal
We’re going to make room for whatever our customers are looking for. – Nate Wolejsza – Category Manager, Kroger
Kroger is currently resetting its cold-storage shelf space to add new craft beers, especially locally brewed beers. According to Kroger, their craft brew space has increased by almost 30% due to customers with Kroger purchasing craft over big beer choices.
Craft Beer Festivals
Colorado Craft Beer Week!
Colorado Craft Beer Week ramps up for final weekend, by Tom Wilmes – Daily Camera
Colorado Craft Beer Week kicked off with over 100 brewers and some pretty crazy craft beer collaborations for patrons to sample. Along with your peanut butter and jelly porter (yikes!), you can enjoy the Hops and Handrails Beer Festival and Rail Jam (today at 5 p.m., March 28th, at Longmont’s Roosevelt Park).
Ultimate Guide To A Career In Craft Beer
