US, OR: Beer production reaches all-time high in 2010

Craft beer production reached an all-time high in Oregon in 2010 - 1.085 million barrels, or roughly 270 million pints, according to a news release June 29th from the non-profit Oregon Brewers Guild.

That’s the highest for any state and a 16 percent increase from 2009. Oregon consumers purchased $235 million worth of beer last year.

The brewing industry contributed $2.44 billion to the state economy, and Oregon’s 91 craft brewers also employed 4,900 workers, according to the guild. That's 200 more workers than it employed in 2009.

Portland has 40 breweries within city limits — the most of any city in the world. Statewide, Oregon has 91 brewing companies operating 121 facilities in 50 cities.

01 July, 2011