The craft beer revolution is showing little signs of slowing down. By the end of 2014, there were 3,418 craft breweries across the United States compared to just 1,521 in 2008. The number of barrels produced is also skyrocketing. In 2008, brewers produced approximately 9 million barrels and last year, they churned out 22 million.
Exports are also booming. A decade ago, American craft beer exports were worth $2.9 million. That grew to just under $100 million last year. An estimated 115,469 people were employed by small and independent breweries in the United States in 2014. However, there is one downside to the revolution. The explosive growth of craft beer has led to a shortage of hops which has resulted in price increases and some small brewers dropping their production.
You will find more statistics at Statista
My brother is a craft beer nut…heck he’s paid 30 buck for a quart bottle of some limited edition beer .
Me…Corona or Newcastle and I’m happy .
I invested startup money in a family-owned micro-brewery in Texas a few years back. Since it’s in a college town, sales are going gang-busters and they are licensed to sell to grocery stores as of last year. Hoping for a big return someday. Or at least some free beer…
One of their recent brews is named “Dammit Jim”…maybe after you, admin! Here’s a picture link since the image is too large to post:
The rise in popularity of extremely hopped IPA’s probably accounts for the hop shortage. There are 22 breweries within 60 minutes of my place and the quality and variety is incredible!
Buckhed, I think I paid $119 for a 24oz bottle of Sam Adams Utopias. You can read about it here: https://www.samueladams.com/craft-beers/utopias It’s like a fine port and tastes fantastic! I wouldn’t want to buy a bottle every year but it’s very good!
Hops shortage? A few years ago in the Pacific northwest, some micro-breweries had to shut down because gasahol corn planting replaced hops planting. Might be an ongoing problem, I don’t know for sure.
I’ll stick with Ballantine Ale. IMO, Sam Adams regular retail stuff is garbage. So is Bud.
You see the old hooch places around the valley, liquor stores easily identifiable by their stone facade. One store proudly announced: Craft Beer. You guys haven’t lived until you taste the Honduran brine, Imperial that tastes like recycled laundry water. Their Salvavidas is not bad.
Craft beer Smaft Beer – gimme some Gentleman’s Jack for a good time!
To whom ever down voted me:
Fukashima you.
Apparently our comments are not on par with Indecent Servant
I don’t drink beer very often but when I do I drink what ever is free. Free beer has a very nice flavor.
Bruce, find a gay bar, act friendly and start every sentence with, Hillary sez:
It’s not a bubble, yet. There are plenty of places in the country that have barely discovered craft beer, mainly in the midwest. Here in Houston there is a large craft brewery, Saint Arnold. It is less than 10 years old. If pickup driving Texans outside of college towns can switch from Bud light to a rich craft beer, then anyone can.