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Brewers Association Reports Mid-Year Craft Brewing Numbers
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| August 17, 2009 - Boulder, CO - The Brewers Association, the trade association representing the majority of U.S. brewing companies, reports America's small and independent craft brewers* are still growing (see Craft Brewing Statistics) despite many challenges and are continuing to provide jobs to the U.S. economy. Dollar growth from craft brewers during the first half of 2009 increased 9%, down from 11% growth during the same period in 2008. Volume of craft brewed beer sold grew 5% for the first six months in 2009, compared to 6.5% growth in the first half of 2008. Barrels sold by craft brewers for the first half of the year is an estimated 4.2 million, compared to 4 million barrels sold in the first half of 2008.
"At a time when many of the giant beer brands are declining, small and independent craft brewers are organically growing their share and slowly gaining shelf and restaurant menu space one glass of craft beer at a time," said Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association.
The U.S. now boasts 1,525 breweries, the highest number in 100 years when consolidation and the run up to Prohibition reduced the number of breweries to 1,498 in 1910. "The U.S. has more breweries than any other nation and produces a greater diversity of beer styles than anywhere else, thanks to craft brewer innovation," Gatza added.
Headlines from stories on beer and craft brewers in the first half of 2009 include the following:
•Winemakers Go After Beer Drinkers (Oregon Public Radio)
•Made by Small Brewers, But Delicious, Says Aficionado from Food & Wine Magazine (CBS Early Show)
•Frothy Diplomacy: What Beer Will Obama Choose for White House Meeting? (ABC News)
•Beer Edges Out Wine, Liquor as Drink of Choice in U.S. (Gallup Poll)
*The definition of a craft brewer as stated by the Brewers Association: An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional. Small: Annual production of beer less than 2 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition. Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer. Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.
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| August 14, 2009 - (Probrewer.com) - This fall independent craft brewers Sierra Nevada and Dogfish Head, will release two collaborative beers. Limb & Life-a draft-only beer-will debut in October; with Life & Limb 24oz bottles and limited draft to follow in November.
The beers-Life & Limb, and Limb & Life-are dedicated to the family of beer drinkers and enthusiasts worldwide who continue to support the little guys, iconoclasts, entrepreneurs, and pioneers who risk life and limb to shape the vibrant craft-brewing community. Over the years, the two brewers-Ken Grossman and Sam Calagione-have become friends in the industry. They quickly realized how many similarities they share. Grossman's history as a craft-brewing pioneer and his radical approach to brewing are echoed some fifteen years later by Calagione-through his boundary-pushing innovation and tireless promotion for the cause of craft beer.
Both men started out as home brewers obsessed with beer-making. Both share deep values of sustainability and responsibility. Both share the desire to pass their breweries on to the next generation, and both started out small-from humble beginnings-and built vibrant, creative, beer-centered and fiercely independent breweries, despite the long odds
Their mutual respect, admiration, and none-too-few shared glasses of beer led to the collaborative idea.
"I have gotten to know Ken through our years on The Brewers Association Board and at numerous beer events throughout the country. As a brewer myself, it is inspiring to see a person like Ken drive a beer-centric (as opposed to a biz-centric) brewery so far and so wide while sticking to his original ideals and integrating his family into the company. I have enjoyed talking (and drinking) beer with his children, especially Sierra and Brian who currently work alongside Ken at Sierra Nevada. The iterative process of conceptualizing and brewing this beer with Ken and all the folks at Sierra has been a joy. We have designed this beer to intertwine signature aspects of both of our breweries' creative approaches-from sustainability to exotic sugars, from bottle conditioning to cellarability. I hope Mariah, our amazing co-workers, and I can keep Dogfish on track with our beer-centric ideals for many years to come. I will know how successful we've been at this task if my children, Sammy and Grier, are able to share a bottle of 2009 Life & Limb with Sierra and Brian at a beer dinner or festival 15 years or so from now. I am hopeful that, as they toast each other, they can hold their heads up high knowing our two breweries were among many fine breweries that breathed LIFE into the colorful, diverse, and beautiful LIMBS of the American craft-brewing family tree." - Sam Calagione, President and Founder, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery.
"Sam and I have spent many evenings laughing, arguing, and toasting glasses, talking about where we are in the business and where we're going. As Sierra Nevada approaches our 30th anniversary, it's inspiring to step back and see how far American craft beer has come. People like Sam and Dogfish help to push the boundaries of beer, and it has been fun working with him and the Dogfish crew. This is our first time working with maple syrup in beer on this kind of scale, and the first time we know of anyone using birch syrup. It has been an interesting and inspiring experience and will hopefully lead to big things. As a beer, Life & Limb has so much meaning for me personally, and for the brewery. As our first collaborative release, we couldn't have had a better partner. Our families are coming together in this beer, both literally and figuratively by using ingredients from our family "farms"-estate hops and barley from us; maple and birch syrup and exotic sugars from Sam-and by having the Dogfish family come to Chico to brew. As the bottled beer ages and changes over time, it will be great to see our families share this beer over anniversaries of their own." - Ken Grossman, Founder, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Life & Limb is a 10% ABV strong beer that defies style characteristics-brewed with pure maple syrup from the Calagione family farm in Massachusetts and estate barley grown on the Grossman "farm" at the brewery in Chico. The beer is alive with yeast-a blend of both breweries' house strains-bottle conditioned for added complexity and shelf life, and naturally carbonated with birch syrup fresh from Alaska; it is the first beer we know of ever to use birch syrup in the brew. If stored under good conditions, this rich, full-bodied beer should age well for years. Life & Limb will be available in 24-oz. bottles and limited draft starting this November.
Limb & Life is a companion to the big beer-an acorn off the larger tree. It is a 5% ABV small beer-a low-gravity beer made using the residual sugar as "second runnings" from the first larger brew, fortified with American hops. This is a session beer. Its big brother is a sipper. Limb & Life will be a limited draft-only product, a prelude to the bigger beer, available in select bars and restaurants this October.
The two beers will be bottled at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., in Chico, CA and released through the Sierra Nevada distribution network. |
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American Craft Beers at the Great British Beer Festival
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| July 21, 2009 - Boulder, Colorado – The Brewers Association's Export Development Program for the second consecutive
year is planning to participate in the Great British Beer Festival. The
UK is a market of interest to many Export Development Program members
and the Brewers Association itself has strong linkages to the GBBF and
to CAMRA, this is a great opportunity to promote U.S. craft beer in the
UK.
The Brewers Association will be displaying an assortment of U.S.
craft beers in the "USA and Rest of World" section of the show. This
area will be "branded" with U.S. craft beer promotional materials,
Brewers Association posters and other materials. It will provide
excellent exposure for American craft beers in general and, in
particular, for brands already in the UK. "The Great British Beer
Festival is an excellent venue to promote U.S. craft beers in the UK
and northern Europe," states Bob Pease, Brewers Association Vice
President, "our Export Development Program members find great value in
this event, which is why we are back for a second year."
During the week of Great British Beer Festival, the Brewers
Association will also be hosting a series of receptions for importers,
distributors, retailers and media where beers from Brewers Association
Export Development Program member breweries will be exclusively
showcased.
The following Brewers Association Export Development Program
members are participating in the Great British Beer Festival by sending
beers:
- Alaskan Brewing Co
- Anderson Valley Brewing Co
- Ballast Point Brewing Co
- Big Sky Brewing Co
- Boulevard Brewing Co
- Caldera Brewing Co
- Coronado Brewing Co
- Deschutes Brewery
- Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
- Firestone Walker Brewing Co
- Flying Dog Brewery
- FX Matt Brewing Co
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- Great Divide Brewing Co
- Lagunitas Brewing Co
- Left Hand Brewing Co
- Odell Brewing Co
- Rogue Ales Brewery
- Shipyard Brewing Co
- Steamworks Brewing Co
- Stone Brewing Co
- Terrapin Brewing Co
- Uinita Brewing Co
- Victory Brewing Co
- Wandering Aengus Ciderworks
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In addition to sending their beers, the following Brewers
Association Export Development Program members will be working the
booth at the Great British Beer Festival promoting all U.S. craft beers:
- Ron Lindenbusch, Lagunitas Brewing Co
- Doug Odell, Odell Brewing Co
- Greg Koch, Stone Brewing Co
- Mitch Steele, Stone Brewing Co
- Bill Covaleski, Victory Brewing Co
The Brewers Association's Export
Development Program began in 2004 with a grant from the United
States Department of Agriculture's Market Access Program. Since its
inception, objectives for the Export Development Program have remained
unchanged. These include the following:
- Educate international trade and media about the quality and
diversity of products offered by the U.S. craft beer industry and about
the U.S. craft beer culture.
- Inform member breweries about opportunities for their products in
key international target markets.
- Complement the industry's own efforts to increase international
distribution of U.S. craft beer.
To date, the Export Development Program has been able to promote its
members' beer in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Italy, the United
Kingdom, Germany, Canada, China, Japan, the Philippines and Australia. |
| July 14, 2009 - (Probrewer.com) - The Beer Connoisseur Magazine, based out of Atlanta, Georgia it is a new "high-end consumer magazine" similar to publications focusing on cigars and wine. The editorial is nationally focused, with plans to include regional inserts.
According to a company press release, the magazine will "address the growing beer trend and will provide informative issues that quench every aspect of the beer lover's thirst for knowledge, style and sophistication." The reader can expect articles on beer & food, beer reviews, restaurant and brewery reviews, tasting abroad, education, events, Sports, entertainment and more. |
| July 13, 2009 - (Probrewer.com) - One year ago was a day that most in the beer business will never forget. I can still remember where I was when I heard the news that Anheuser-Busch's board of directors has succumbed to a hostile takeover bid by Belgian brewer InBev.
The beer industry, like most other industries around the world, has gone through transformational and rapid change in the last 10 years. Global consolidation has abounded, but no other deal in the beer industry had the rattling effect of the iconic A-B being bought out against their will by a foreign entity.
On July 13, 2008, Anheuser-Busch ended 156 years of independence.
After putting up a fight, Anheuser-Busch's board signed off on a deal to make the hometown brewer a wholly owned subsidiary of a brewer that was the child of Belgian old money and Brazilian billionaires.
InBev had been publicly wooing Anheuser-Busch for a month. On June 11, InBev confirmed that it was launching a takeover bid for Anheuser-Busch at $65 a share, equating to $47.5 billion.
InBev began courting shareholders, the public, journalists and even politicians. InBev CEO Carlos Brito visited Washington a week after the company announced its bid, to court lawmakers who opposed the takeover.
On July 9, InBev upped its offer to $70 a share - amounting to an enormous $52 billion price, the largest all-cash deal ever. The resistance of A-B's board collapsed, and the deal was approved over a weekend of negotiations.
The end result is still playing out. There has been huge and varied speculation of what might become of the new 'ABI.' Many believed that InBev, known for excessive cost cutting, would recreate A-B, formally known for its 'sales and image at any cost,' into a shell of what it once was.
And there have been changes. Huge cuts in personnel, some assets sold off, a change in marketing and certainly more to come. The incredible brain trust that propelled A-B into a 50% domestic market share has all but vanished.
Only time will tell what only the crystal ball knows for sure; what will the 'new' A-B be? |
| July 08, 2009 - (Probrewer.com) - Beer lovers can drink as much as they like without having to worry about developing a beer-belly, according to new research.
The UK's Daily Mail broke the happy news to beer-lovers Sunday, claiming that scientists have proven a beer-belly is purely the result of genetics.
An eight-year study of more than 20,000 beer drinkers found that although heavy drinkers put on weight, it wasn't necessarily around the belly.
Those who drank more than a 33 ounces a day (that's roughly two-and-a half bottles) put on the most weight.
The study was published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. |
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1,200 Homebrewers Celebrate the Hobby of Homebrewing
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| July 07, 2009 - Boulder, CO - Over 1,200 homebrewers from across the nation attended the 31st annual American Homebrewers Association (AHA) National Homebrewers Conference in Oakland, CA from June 18-20, 2009.
"I am thrilled by the record-setting attendance at this year's National Homebrewers Conference," said Gary Glass, Director of the American Homebrewers Association. "Despite the recent economic woes, the hobby is stronger than ever."
There are an estimated 750,000 homebrewers in the U.S., and those who attended the conference were offered 27 educational seminars on beer and brewing presented by professional brewers and other highly experienced homebrewers.
Highlights from the conference include keynote speaker Ken Grossman, co-founder and president of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and other presentations from industry favorites including Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Brewing Company, Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Company, Matt Brynildson of Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Dr. Michael Lewis of U.C. Davis.
The American Homebrewers Association is a division of the Brewers Association. In 1979, 200 people attended the first AHA National Homebrewers Conference in Boulder, CO. Today, the conference is recognized as the world's largest-attended conference devoted to homebrewers and homebrewing. |
| July 03, 2009 - (Probrewer.com) - It's not every day that your boss tells you to take a free, paid week off of work, and go for a bike ride.
That's what happening at Avery and Ska Brewing Co. as employees take a ride across Colorado, stop at brewpubs, drink some beer with their comrades and raise money for charities along the way.
The brewers embark on the first ever brewers Tour of Colorado Monday, July 20th from Avery Brewing Company in Boulder to Ska Brewing in Durango on a five day, 426 mile ride for charity and craft-brewing brotherhood 5 Days ~ 13 brewers ~ 426 Miles ~ 42,000 vertical feet. En route, these thirteen hearty souls will be stopping at microbreweries and brewpubs in an effort to bring together Colorado craft brewers and encourage the fledgling spirit of collaboration and camaraderie that has taken hold in the craft beer industry.
According to Avery Brewing President/Brewmaster Adam Avery, "The passion we put into our beer is the passion we have for life. We've always brewed big, challenging beers and so we're choosing to challenge ourselves in the same manner." "What we've come to realize over the years is that despite supposedly being competitors in the marketplace, most all breweries in Colorado are fighting the same battle for good beer, preaching the same message of 'quality over quantity,' and living the same Colorado lifestyle. The Tour of Colorado is our effort to focus on those common threads and support the industry."
Each evening, after the day's riding is finished, host breweries along the course will be holding fundraisers with the Avery team, with profits from pint sales, raffles and auctions going to local charities. The ride will be marked with a kickoff party raising money for Community Cycles (a local bike charity) at the Avery Tap Room in Boulder on Sunday, July 19th and will conclude with the tapping of Wheelsucker Wheat Ale at the Ska Brewing Company in Durango, Colorado on Sunday, July 25th. Wheelsucker Wheat Ale is a collaborative beer between Avery Brewing Company and Ska Brewing Company, brewed to commemorate the inaugural Tour of Colorado and celebrate the fraternity of Colorado craft brewers.
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Craft Beer Distributor Award
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| July 01, 2009 - (Probrewer.com) - The National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Brewers Association are seeking nominations for the 3rd Annual Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award. The Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award is presented annually to a beer distributor who actively markets, sells and promotes craft beer. The award also recognizes the important partnership between craft brewers and beer distributors in showcasing the tremendous choice and variety of beer provided to American consumers especially the dynamic beers from the craft beer segment.
Nominations must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on July 31, 2009.
This year's award will be presented at the Great American Beer Festival, hosted by BA September 24-26, in Denver, Colorado.
Beer distributors and craft brewers can nominate any distributor they believe is deserving of the award. For entry rules and nomination forms, go to: http://www.nbwa.org/Industry_Technology/distributor_of_the_year.aspx.
"Craft beer has generated an unprecedented level of excitement among American consumers about the array of types, styles and flavors beer offers," said NBWA President Craig Purser. "It's hard to name another industry that has experienced the tremendous growth that craft beer has over the past several years. Beer distributors take great pride in selling and serving as the vehicle to market for these unique brands and in providing unparalleled choice and variety to consumers."
Brewers Association President Charlie Papazian applauds beer distributors for working with small brewers to give craft beers a presence in the marketplace. "Without America's beer distributors, we wouldn't be seeing the enthusiasm for such a range of American beer," said Papazian. "This award recognizes the extra efforts beer distributors are making to ensure craft brews are available on the same store shelves and bar taps as national or multinational brands." |
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FLYING FISH BREWING ANNOUNCES EXIT 11
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| June 30, 2009 - CHERRY HILL, NJ - New Jersey's largest craft brewery, Flying Fish Brewing Company (1940 Olney Avenue, 856-489-0061), is proud to announce the release of Exit 11 Hoppy American Wheat Ale, the second in their wildly popular Exit Series of Big Bottle Beers on Wednesday, July 15. Exit 11 is a confluence of styles and ingredients, just as Exit 11 is the point in New Jersey where the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike and several other highways come together.
"Exit 11 is the point on the Turnpike where the Garden State Parkway branches off and takes hundreds of thousands of travelers to the renowned Jersey Shore," says Flying Fish Head Brewer Casey Hughes. "Our Exit 11 Wheat Ale is a fresh, citrus-y summer beer perfect for beachgoers and those who only wish they were headed 'downa shore'."
Exit 11 is an American-style wheat beer brewed with English ale yeast and three Pacific Northwest hops, Columbus, Palisade and Amarillo. It is brewed with 50% Belgian pale malt and 50% white wheat, and is an ideal summer thirst quencher, with its bouquet of tangerines and apricots. Future Exit Series Big Bottles will be named for other exits, chosen based on videos, photos and testimonials submitted to Flying Fish by fans at www.exitseries.com. This series will continue, with three or four beers a year, to eventually encompass all turnpike exits.
"One of the very best things about the Exit Series is the interactive element of it," says Flying Fish Founder Gene Muller. "The ideas that have come through the site are amazing, innovative, and stamped front to back with New Jersey pride. They encompass everything we're trying to honor with these special beers."
Exit 11 is available only during this one-time release, and only until it sells out across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. A fanciful tribute to the New Jersey Turnpike and all the Garden State has to offer, these special brews are Flying Fish's first foray into large bottles. The first in the series, Exit 4, is already sold out, and ideas for future exits pour in daily through their Web site.
Two Exit 11 Release Parties will be held on Wednesday, July 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Swift Half (1001 North 2nd Street, 215-923-4600) and Varga Bar (941 Spruce Street, 215-627-5200), featuring the first kegs of Exit 11. Exit Series' draughts will be available for purchase on a pay-as-you-go basis. For those who wish to purchase Exit 11 bottles, both Philadelphia locations of The Foodery (837 North 2nd Street, 21-238-6077 and 324 South 10th Street, 215-928-1111) will also debut bottles of Exit 11 the same day.
Flying Fish was the world's first 'virtual' microbrewery, establishing an Internet presence as early as 1995. That presence helped to generate press interest and woo investors to the fledgling brewery, which would not open for business until late 1996. Today, Muller and his team oversee four full-time styles, as well as a variety of seasonal beers. Their brews have been featured at the Great British Beer Festival, Oregon Brewers Festival and Canada's Biere de Mondial Festival. They have won medals at the Great American Beer Festival, Real Ale Festival and the World Beer Championships, and are the only New Jersey brewery featured in Best American Beers. Flying Fish was recently named "Local Hero: Beverage Artisan of 2009" by Edible Jersey magazine.
For more information about Exit 11 or Flying Fish, please visit them online at www.flyingfish.com or call (856) 489-0061. |
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