What's On Tap
The craft beer boom is not just a passing trend. Craft beer drinkers are, if anything, becoming more passionate and numerous over time as more people get excited about how and where their beer is made.
Craft Beer by the Numbers
According to data collected by the Brewers Association, craft beer production and consumption is growing rapidly in the United States:
• In 2005, there were 991 brewpubs, 354 microbreweries and 55 regional craft breweries
• In 2014, there were 1,412 brewpubs, 1,871 microbreweries and 135 regional craft breweries
• Just between 2013 and 2014, the rate of growth of craft breweries (an average of the growth of the three categories) was 19.4%
• U.S. craft beer sales went up 17.6% in 2014, compared to just 0.5% of overall beer sales
So why is craft beer such a growing trend right now? Why are craft beer fans so enthusiastic? Here are just a few tasty reasons for craft beer’s rise in popularity.
Creativity
Beer lovers just aren’t satisfied with boring or mediocre beer anymore. They want to be surprised and delighted with new flavors and ideas. Craft breweries are creative and agile, and they are able to experiment to develop innovative beers.
Taste
Beer is becoming more like wine in how people taste and appreciate it. Craft beer enthusiasts want to learn about a beer’s ingredients and production process. They are interested in sampling and finding beers that match their personal preferences and pair well with a great meal.
Connection
Craft breweries are invested in both their customers and their communities, and that connection is important. Drinking a delicious craft beer is even better when it’s made by a company that uses local ingredients or supports local causes.
Collaboration
Within the craft beer industry, there is a great sense of camaraderie – the feeling that our collective success is important. Brewers are generous with their expertise, trying to help each other out and looking for opportunities to collaborate when possible. For example, Dogfish Head’s Rhizing Bines imperial IPA is a delicious East-Coast-West-Coast collaboration with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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