E-Malt.com News article: USA, OH: Ohio now has more than 100 breweries

Ohio has topped a significant milestone - 100 - for its number of breweries, a feat not many states can boast, ohio.com reported on September, 26.

The state now is home to 103 breweries, more than double the number from just three years ago, according to a Beacon Journal analysis of brewing licenses the state has issued.

“It’s a landmark; it’s 100,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “That’s super exciting.”

Operations range from national brewers Anheuser-Busch InBev in Columbus and MillerCoors in Trenton to small brewers such as MadCap Brew Co. in Stow and Franklin Brewing Co. in Elyria.

Brewery growth, which is occurring nationwide, is attributed mainly to the public’s increasing fondness for craft beer.

But the state also has eased regulations for craft brewers in recent years, making it easier to open a brewery. Those changes include allowing them to open tasting rooms without buying a second license and lowering the cost of an annual license from $3,906 to $1,000.

It doesn’t hurt, either, that consumers are more interested in locally made products.

“We’re probably in 15 to 20 places now and just the fact that we’re local gets us that first pull from the tap,” said Ryan Holmes, one of the founders of MadCap, which opened last year. “People in this area love anything local.”

Brewer Dave Sutula, who is overseeing the launch of the Canton Brewing Co. in downtown Canton, said he recalls years ago how difficult it was to get a beer distributor to carry a locally made craft beer in its portfolio.

“Now they are calling us,” he said. “All the major distributors have called us, and we haven’t even made a drop of beer.”

“The dream we all had of changing the public’s perception has happened. And it happened overnight.”

The Beacon Journal examined brewing licenses issued through the Ohio Division of Liquor Control to determine the number of breweries. The newspaper discounted some licenses, including those given to private clubs and operations that make alcoholic tea.

The newspaper also counted breweries with multiple licenses and locations, such as Fat Head’s, the Brew Kettle and Jackie O’s, only once.

The Ohio Craft Brewers Association counts those twice so its total is slightly higher.

It’s not only a matter of quantity in the state, MacDonald said.

She noted that Ohio’s craft brewers are turning out award-winning beers that are taking home prestigious medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup competitions.

“It shows we are making some pretty good beer in Ohio, too,” MacDonald said.

The brewery growth won’t subside anytime soon in the state.

At least 35 breweries are in planning stages, according to the association.

Ohio already ranks as one of the biggest beer producers in the nation. There were only seven states with more than 100 craft breweries last year, according to the Brewers Association.

An estimated 3,100 breweries operate in the country. The Brewers Association also estimated in June that there were 1,929 in the planning stages.


01 October, 2014