CRAFT STAYS HOT

THE NUMBERS are in and they are good. The craft brewing industry has continued a strong pace of growth in the first half of 2O15, according to new mid-year data released by the Brewers Association. American production volume increased 16 percent during the first half of the year. From January through the end of June, approximately 12.2 million barrels of beer were sold by craft brewers, up from 1O.6 million barrels during the first half of 2O14. As of June 3O, 3739 breweries were operating in the US, an increase of 699 over the same time period of the previous year. Additionally, there were 1755 breweries in planning. Craft brewers currently employ an estimated 115,469 full-time and part-time workers, many of which are manufacturing jobs.