The Brewers Association – the US trade organization for craft brewers – has released its annual lists of the top 50 craft brewers and top 50 overall brewing companies in the US.
The High End – AB InBev’s division for craft and specialty brands – saw revenues grow 18.3% in 2018. And AB InBev says such brands are becoming an essential part of its growth plans, being well positioned to capitalize on the premiumization trend.
A marriage between India Pale Ales (IPAs) and lager beer, India Pale Lagers (IPLs) have been a small sub-category of craft beer for the past 10-15 years. Often described as ‘strong, hoppy’ lagers, recent IPL launches are fighting for shelf space in the...
The PourMyBeer system allows customers to serve themselves with interactive touch screens and RFID cards that charge per ounce. The new wave in automation has been designed to tackle the bottleneck in crowded bars and overworked bartenders; but the company...
US craft brewer Sierra Nevada has acquired Sufferfest Beer Company - a San Francisco brewery aimed at ‘athletes and adventurers’ – seeing an opportunity to connect with a new group of drinkers.
From a booming craft beer sector to a hidden wine industry, Wales believes its beverage industry has the potential to grow and thrive over the coming years. It recently released a strategy that sets out the path to build the sector.
After the government shut down on December 22 due to disputes around President Trump’s border wall funding, the effects have been felt throughout the country. Without federal programs in place, the beer and wine industries are facing trouble with new...
The past year has seen the continued growth of craft beer and craft spirits, an increased number of microbreweries, and a rise in experiential drinking. Now the alcohol industry looks ahead to 2019 and what to expect for US drink trends, flavors and regulations.
It's been another busy year in the big world of beverages. From cannabis to coffee and from Coca-Cola to craft beer, we take a look at some of the key moments that have hit the headlines in 2018 - and that will continue to shape the industry as we...
‘This update will allow craft brewers to keep their creative and innovative pathways open’
With the number of US breweries breaking the 7,000 milestone in October this year, it’s been a big year for small beer. The Brewers Association, the trade association for small and independent US craft brewers, looks back on the 2018 highlights for the...
After the boom and subsequent plateauing of craft beer sales in the US, on-premise experiential drinking establishments are managing to draw in new customers. Brewpubs, taprooms and game-based bars all saw a surge in popularity in 2018.
European beer production reached an eight-year high of nearly 39.7 billion litres in 2017: with the region now boasting 9,500 brewers. Around three-quarters of these are microbreweries and SMEs, helping boost a shift towards greater diversity and choice....
While some brewers are concerned that cannabis could emerge as a competitor to beer, the Brewers Association has not seen any evidence that it's a huge threat to the craft beer sector. In fact, it believes cannabis could open up new innovation opportunities...
The Brewers Association could change its definition of a ‘craft’ brewer by the end of the month, removing or revising the ‘traditional’ part of its definition. It’s a move that has not been without controversy, particularly among smaller brewers. But...
The proficient homebrewing, craftbrewing and beer enthusiast community continue to drive beer's creative destiny, writes Poonam Yadav of Allied Analytics LLP in this guest article.
Scottish brewer BrewDog will run a bespoke ‘BrewDog Boeing 767’ flight in February next year, with passengers taking part in beer tasting at altitude and an in-flight food menu paired with beer.
In just three years, a craft scene has exploded in Vietnam’s beer capital. We talk to some of the craft brewers and entrepreneurs driving the sector forward with Vietnamese ingredients and local twists.
‘This is about a US craft brewery standing up against some of the largest drinks producers in the UK’
US craft brewer Flying Dog Brewery says it will continue to distribute its Easy IPA Session India Pale Ale in the UK: ignoring a ruling from an alcohol marketing watchdog which said the beer's artwork ‘encourages illegal, irresponsible or immoderate...
‘The craft beer revolution has spread across the continent’
Craft brewing organisations from nine European countries are working towards the formation of the Independent Brewers of Europe, an organisation which will promote and advance the mutual interests of their members with European institutions and the media....
The majority of beer consumers in the US are willing to pay more for beer produced with sustainable practices, according to a study from Indiana University. ‘The takeaway for the brewing industry is that it is financially feasible to introduce energy-saving...
Traditional mass US beers face a new challenge from a growing category of craft, premium and light lagers: brands like Michelob Ultra and Corona lead the pack of alternative light lagers and pilsners that have swung back into favor among US consumers.
Australian craft beer consumers now purchase an equal number of previously untried beers as old favourites, according to the 2018 Australian Craft Beer Survey: showing how quickly the sector has evolved. And consumers’ continuous thirst for something...
Five years ago, North America dominated the global craft beer industry: accounting for 52% of all craft beer retail launches while Europe accounted for 29%. But now the picture has flipped: North America now accounts for 19% of launches while 54% come...
Big brewers find ways to profit from the growing culture of drinking less, drinking better
The iconic image of the larrikin lager drinker cracking open an endless succession of cold ones couldn’t be more wrong, going by long-standing trends in the Australian beer industry, which is seeing consumption slump to a four-decade low.
There are 6,655 active craft breweries in the US with more than 2,500 in planning, according to new mid-year metrics released by the Brewers Association (BA).
The 2018 Pacific Northwest hop acreage is forecasted to increase to a record high, while US hop grower Hopsteiner says advances in technology will further boosts this year’s harvest.
Australian-headquartered Lion has acquired London craft brewer Fourpure Brewing Co. And while Fourpure says the beer and culture will remain the same, it wants to embrace the opportunities the acquisition brings: ‘We truly hope you will see some change,...
Heineken is investing £40m ($55m) in Beavertown Brewery: allowing the London craft brewer to increase its brewing capacity 10-fold with a new 450,000hl brewing facility and visitor experience.
The Brewers Association (BA) announced late last week that a grant of $900,000 has been awarded to the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) for the 2018 fiscal year in support of hops research.
Craft beer is here to stay: but what are consumers looking for? And what does this mean for the craft brewing industry? The good news is that craft beer consumption continues to rise; but a new report warns that building brand loyalty will be an uphill...
Beer drinkers globally are seeking quality over quantity, evidenced by continued growth in premium, super-premium and craft categories; while an increasing number of health-conscious consumers are turning to low and no alcohol varieties.
AB InBev’s venture capital division ZX Ventures has opened a new brewery in Wuhan, China to tap into rising demand for craft beer, sales of which are believed to be growing by 40% year-on-year countrywide.
For the majority of Australian craft beer drinkers (64%), knowing who owns the beer they drink is important, according to the 2017 Australian Craft Beer Survey.
The US craft beer market saw volume production increase 5% for the first six months of 2017, a slowdown from 8% volume growth in the comparable period last year, according to the Brewers Association mid-year 2017 growth report.
An increasing number of drinkers are keen to moderate their alcohol consumption, and educating consumers about the different styles and strengths of beer now available to them will be a key factor for the success of the lower ABV category, according to...
The craft beer shelf is getting more crowded with 1,800 new product launches in the category last year, making packaging and labeling one of the primary purchase influencers for craft beer consumers, according to Nielsen.
To appeal to a more engaged and educated craft beer audience, the Brewers Association has launched its #beeritforward social initiative and a partnership with pub trivia organization Geeks Who Drink for American Craft Beer Week.
Per capita beer consumption has declined 25% since 2000 and “it would’ve been significantly more than that if it weren’t for craft beer,” Boston Beer Company founder, Jim Koch, said at the Beverage Forum in Chicago last week.
‘The thirst for craft beer shows no sign of slowing down’
UK supermarket giant Tesco has announced its largest ever craft beer range, with products coming from the UK, US, Japan, Sweden and elsewhere around the world.
The Brewers Association recorded 5,301 operating craft breweries in the US last year, up from 4,548 in 2015, representing a 0.1% market share increase from 12.2% to 12.3% (by volume).
