Craft beer growing at a 20-percent annual rate

The Brewers Association, the trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers, released 2013 data on U.S. craft brewing growth.

As a primary driver of growth in the beer industry, craft brewers saw an 18 percent rise in volume, representing a total of 15.6 million barrels, and a 20 percent increase in retail dollar value.

In 2013, craft brewers reached 7.8 percent volume of the total U.S. beer market, up from 6.5 percent the previous year. Additionally, craft dollar share of the total U.S. beer market reached 14.3 percent in 2013, as retail dollar value from craft brewers was estimated at $14.3 billion, up from $11.9 billion in 2012.

“With this stellar year, craft has now averaged 10.9 percent growth over the last decade,” said Bart Watson, staff economist, Brewers Association. “Beer drinkers are excited about what small and independent brewers are offering and that is evidenced by the rising production and sales of the craft segment.”

Check out our magazine’s new craft beer tasting guide on our mobile-friendly website, featuring a dozen regional craft breweries and beer tasting rooms, including “geo” mapping features for “real-time” directions, links to their websites and more. It is HERE.