E-Malt.com News article: 887

The Brewers' Association of America, the 61-year trade association for small brewers announced the release of its annual survey of brewery businesses, the Small Brewers' Growth Index. Up from 9.7% in 2001, the Small Brewers' Growth Index 2002 showed American small breweries growing an average 10.98% last year. "Once again small brewery owners have demonstrated the strength of their segment of the domestic beer industry," said Daniel Bradford, President Brewers' Association of America. "For almost three decades domestic small breweries have paved new roads for the brewing industry.”

Beginning in the mid 1970's, the revival of the American small brewing industry has transformed the domestic beer landscape. From a low of 41 breweries in 1981, there are now more than 1,400 breweries dotting the landscape, producing thousands of beers in dozens of different styles. Only recently has the BAA begun collecting statistics on the continued successes of these companies. "This small part of the beer industry continues to demonstrate it's strength," adds Kim Jordan, BAA Chair and president of New Belgium Brewing Co., one of the fastest growing top 50 breweries. "My fellow brewery owners are deservedly pleased with these results."

The breakdown among the breweries shows an unsurprising trend. The top 50 breweries recorded a huge 14.13% growth, showing the enduring strength of the larger small breweries. Taking a wider cut, breweries producing more than 20,000 barrels, the growth, at 14.07%, is still impressive. The next split, 10,000 to 20,000 annual production, logged a 13.12% growth in 2002. Between 10,000 and 5,000 production the growth was 6.56% and those between 5,000 and 1,000 grew 6.72%. The final grouping, less than 1,000 checked in at 13.39% barrel growth last year.


09 April, 2003