America’s more than 3,000 licensed, independent beer distributors are celebrating the excitement that entrepreneurial brewers bring to the beer industry and consumers during American Craft Beer Week, May 15-21, 2017.
According to data released this March by the Brewers Association (BA), craft brewers – as defined by BA – continued steady growth last year as American craft beer production volume increased 6 percent on a comparable base, representing 12.3 percent market share by volume of the overall beer industry. Craft brewers saw a 10 percent increase in retail dollar value, representing 21.9 percent market share. The data also indicate that craft brewers produced 24.6 million barrels of beer in 2016.
Additionally, the BA reported that in 2016 the number of operating breweries in the U.S. grew 16.6 percent, totaling more than 5,000 breweries. As defined by the BA, small and independent breweries account for 99 percent of the breweries in operation.
National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) President & CEO Craig Purser said, “Craft beercontinues to provide a significant contribution to the American beer industry, and NBWA is proud of therole that America’s independent beer distributors play to help the craft beer industry thrive.”
“The continued growth in craft beer sales underscores the effectiveness of the independent distribution system, which allows access to market for brewers of all sizes, and a state-based regulatory system that works to level the playing field between brewers, distributors and retailers,” Purser continued.
“Thanks to a network of independent distributors and retailers, brands that began as experiments in garages or family kitchens 30 years ago are today nationally recognized labels that can be enjoyed in all 50 states,” Purser said.
Purser added, “Thanks to thousands of different distribution channels, today’s marketplace offers an unparalleled number of styles, flavors and brands of beer to consumers from coast to coast. American Craft Beer Week is a great opportunity to celebrate this variety.”
For more information about American Craft Beer Week, including celebratory events in your area, visitwww.craftbeer.com/ACBW.
