CRAZY FOR CRAFT

WE MAY be enamored with cider but craft beer has got us hooked. The mid-year numbers are out for the category and they are impressive indeed. According to new data released by the Brewers Association, small and independent craft brewers enjoyed continued growth as American production volume increased 18 percent during the first half of the year. From January through the end of June, approximately 1O.6 million barrels of beer were sold by craft brewers, up from 9 million barrels over the first half of 2O13. (note The 18 percent growth rate is based on the updated craft brewer definition1 and derived from comparable barrel total from the first half of 2O13. Mid-year figures first reported in 2O13 were based on the previous definition).

As of June 3O of this year, there were 3O4O breweries operating in the US, 99 percent of which were small and independent craft establishments. Additionally, there were 1929 breweries in planning. The industry currently employs an estimated 11O,273 full-time and part-time workers, many of which are manufacturing jobs, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy.

In February 2O14, the Brewers Association Board of Directors approved changes to the craft brewer definition that go into effect with the 2O14 craft brewing data set. “An American craft brewer is small, independent and traditional.” SMALL Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3 percent of US annual sales). Beer production is attributed to the rules of alternating proprietorships. INDEPENDENT Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member that is not itself a craft brewer. TRADITIONAL A brewer that has a majority of its total beverage alcohol volume in beers whose flavor derives from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation. Flavored malt beverages (FMBs) are not considered beers.