E-Malt.com News article: USA: Exports of US made craft beers expand across the world

American-made craft beer is entering its heyday in America - dozens of other countries might be buying that same craft beer, too, US News reported on May, 17.

The Brewers Association tells that American craft beer export volumes climbed by an incredible 72 percent in 2012 over the previous year. U.S.-made craft beer – from breweries such as Boston Brewing Company, DC Brau, or New Belgium Brewing that produce fewer than 6 mln barrels of beer a year – is today on store shelves in countries like Sweden and Canada. Sweden has embraced light lager alternatives to the domestic beers from Spendrups and Carlsberg that have dominated their shelves for years, while Canada has fallen in love with America's hoppy beers.

Much of the credit can go to the Department of Agriculture, which through its Market Access Program has given the Brewers Association an average of $400,000 annually for the past four years to help get its craft beers abroad.

"What we do with that money is we try to establish a relationship," says Bob Pease, chief operating officer of the Brewers Association.

Agriculture Department spokeswoman Sally Klusaritz says market access funds were also used to familiarize importers in countries including Germany, Taiwan and Australia about American craft beers, as well as sponsor beer tastings and competitions abroad, such as the Stockholm Beer Competition.

The total volume of craft beer sold outside the U.S. is still very low compared to what is sold in America: 186,000 barrels are sold abroad each year, while 13 mln barrels are sold at home. But the total value of craft beer abroad is $49 mln - which is a solid return on the $1.6 mln from the Department of Agriculture.

Craft beer plans to keep spreading across the world. At least four American craft brewers currently export to China, including Brooklyn Brewery and F.X. Matt Brewing Company in New York.


21 May, 2013