E-Malt.com News article: USA, TX: Texas craft beer output up more than 17% last year

Craft beer in Texas is blooming, Brewbound reported on June 4.

According to a new report from the Texas Craft Brewers Guild (TCBG), the state’s craft beer production grew more than 17 percent in 2013, which accounted for 5.34 percent of all the beer produced by Brewers Association-defined craft brewers.

On top of that, the “nearly 100” brewers producing less than 225,000 barrels annually grew volume 44 percent, according to the report. In total, the state’s craft breweries produced 833,191 barrels in 2013, up from 708,338 collective barrels produced in 2012. Throughout the country, BA-recognized craft brewers produced 15.6 million barrels in 2013.

Charles Vallhonrat, executive director of the TCBG, said he was excited to witness continued “strong growth,” in the industry, adding that the guild’s members produced the vast majority of the craft beer brewed in Texas.

“Texas Craft Brewers Guild members brew 98.66 percent of the craft beer produced in Texas,” he said in the report. “They worked tirelessly in 2013 to keep Texas competitive with other states when it comes to the marketing and sale of craft beer.”

The TCBG attributed at least some of the growth to legislative changes made in the state last year. Last summer, brewers producing less than 225,000 barrels were able to begin selling beer in their taprooms. Previously, the report added, “these producers represented less than 1 [percent] of the beer consumed in Texas.” Now, their volume percentage accounts for 1.36 percent of beer consumed.

While praising the hard work done by brewers to keep competitive, as the craft industry at large has enjoyed comparable growth, Vallhonrat said the commitment to quality exhibited by the state’s brewers has made it a “great time” to be a craft consumer.

“[T]hey are maintaining high standards, offering outstanding, award-winning beers with exceptional quality and taste,” he said. “The Guild highlights these beers every year at the Texas Craft Brewers Festival, where only Texas craft beer is offered and Texas fans always come out in force to support our vibrant craft beer community. It’s a great time to be a fan of Texas craft beer.”

The growth in Texas parallels national upward growth trends. As Brewbound reported in March, craft brewers grew volume on a national scale 18 percent in 2013, despite the total U.S. beer market dipping 1.9 percent.


06 June, 2014