E-Malt.com News article: New Zealand: Number of small craft breweries up 50% in the past four years

A 50 per cent increase in the number of small craft breweries in the past four years has contributed to an "explosion of beer flavours" offered by New Zealand's 68 breweries, the country's Brewers Guild reported earlier this week.

A guild survey has found the number of breweries increased by 42 per cent in the four years through 2011, led by the rise in the number of craft breweries, producing less than 40,000 litres annually, to 30.

Production of craft beer increased an average three per cent annually over the past three years.

"The increased number of small brewers and the volume of the beer that they are producing suggest that the public are changing their drinking habits," guild president Ralph Bungard said in a statement.

"There is an explosion of beer flavours and styles available to consumers, and that means more of the public are finding a beer that suits their taste and lifestyle."

New Zealand beer is also travelling abroad.

Some 42 per cent of respondents already export, while 32 per cent expect to in the next two years.

Of the breweries surveyed 87 per cent expect production to increase in 2012.

"It is very encouraging to see the growth and diversification in the industry and it is a good sign that most brewers consider that they will grow in size and look to be exporting in the next year," Mr Bungard said.

Small to medium sized breweries, producing 40,000 to 100,000 litres a year, recorded the most consistent increase in production, with an average output increase of seven per cent every six months.


03 August, 2012