More proof that America is taking a turn for the better
I know it’s something we’ve hit on many times before but it’s very nice to see the strides that good beer has taken in this country. This article in Business Week covers some of the stats:
Since then, the microbrewery business has grown and begun, in fact, to thrive. In 1978 there were a total of 42 breweries in the U.S., including industrial breweries. Today there are 1,390 craft breweries, microbreweries, and brew pubs. They produced 6.736 million barrels in 2006, an increase of 31% over 2003, according to industry group the Brewers Assn. While that’s only 3.6% of the 210-million-barrel total production of beer, craft brewing generates 5.5% of the industry’s $5 billion revenue.
OK, so it is a bit disappointing that only 3.6% of the beers consumed are craft brewed beers. On the flip side that means the other 96.4% of the population are ripe for conversion to the bright side of beer.
Jonathan, Joel & Jeff
April 10th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
What do you mean “more proof”? Where’s the original proof that America is taking a turn for the better?
April 10th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
More good beer. Do you want me to link to every article about how micro brews are making a comeback? I’ve put in one such previous link for you…could have added more but I’m too lazy. Are you grumpy today Jonathan?
April 10th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
One thing that I think people lose track of is the fact that more microbreweries IS a good thing. Too many times in niche industries like this people think they are fighting for a finite pie, but the reality is that the more people that are doing what you guys are doing, the bigger the pie. The fact that Michelob has been using the term “craft” in their commercials and Bud is talking about how hard it is to brew an American Lager (BTW - It’ s also really hard to shove your own fist in your mouth, but that doesn’t mean you should do it) should be a pretty good indicator to the growth potential in the craft brewing industry.
To Jonathan’s point - the Craft Brew section of brewing is the only brewing with growth (12-15% in the last 3 years if I remember right) so I would say that was the first proof.
Oh yea - TITANS SUCK!
April 10th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
The American beer industry is taking a turn for the better. As Atlantans, though, I would wonder if events like that which occurred to Kathryn Johnston a few years back might suggest that certain things in America have been sliding towards “worse” for quite some time.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Was taking a turn for the better. These are hard times we’re entering.
April 13th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Aw man, I thought from the post title that this was going to be about Bud Light w/ lime!