USA: More than 50 breweries opened in the United States this spring

According to the Brewers Association (BA), 250 breweries opened in 2011 while only 37 closed.

The BA also reported that 1,989 breweries, employing approximately 103,585 workers, were operating in the U.S. in 2011—an 11 percent increase from the previous year.

“We saw rapid growth in brewery openings last year, particularly with microbrewery start-ups, and these numbers are poised to rise even more in 2012,” said Paul Gatza, director, Brewers Association. “In February 2012, we already topped 2,000 operating breweries—a truly remarkable milestone. We look forward to even more success and the continued expansion of the craft beer market.”

In the past three months (March, April, May) the BA's research shows that more than 50 breweries in 25 states have opened. These breweries make craft beer more accessible to beer drinkers across the country and often create much needed jobs for their local economies.

2012 Spring Brewery Openings have been registered in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin.

15 June, 2012