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Economic Impact of Craft Beer

Economic Impact of Craft Beer

According to the Brewers of Indiana Guild the 8,000 full-time employees in Indiana’s craft brewing industry, of 170+ breweries, create an impact of more than $1 billion! Many of these jobs, and much of that impact, are at risk due to the COVID-19 outbreak and its resulting restrictions. That is why it is so important for each of us to support our local breweries in this time of need.

On a brighter note, the Brewers Association just released its annual growth report for 2019. It shows a 4% growth in beer volume for craft beer over 2018, while at the same time the total beer market overall was down 2%. The total volume share for craft brewers increased to 13.6%, up from 13.0% in the prior years.

Here’s the press release and report from the Brewers Association:

Boulder, Colo. โ€ข April 14, 2020 โ€” The Brewers Association (BA)โ€”the trade association representing small and independent1 American craft brewersโ€”today released annual growth figures for the U.S. craft brewing industry.2 In 2019, small and independent brewers collectively produced 26.3 million barrels of beer and realized just under 4% total growth3, increasing craftโ€™s overall beer market share by volume to 13.6%.

Retail dollar value was estimated at $29.3 billion, representing 25.2% market share and 6% growth over 2018. Growth for small and independent brewers occurred in an overall down beer market, which dropped 2% by volume in 2019. Craft brewers provided more than 160,000 direct jobs, an increase of 7% over 2018.

โ€œSmall and independent brewers continued to serve as job creators, strong economic contributors, and community beacons in 2019, while craft maintained a fairly stable growth rate in 2019 and continued to gain share in the beer market,โ€ said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association.

There were 8,275 craft breweries operating in 2019, including 2,058 microbreweries, 3,011 brewpubs, 2,966 taproom breweries, and 240 regional craft breweries. Throughout the year, there were 942 new brewery openings and 294 closings.

โ€œAlthough craft brewers entered 2020 on a solid foundation, the beer landscape is dramatically different today than it was just a few months ago. Breweries will be facing new realities due to the pandemic with extended closures, tight cash flow, societal shifts, and other economic variables in play. These 2019 figures will allow us to see how much COVID-19 affects small brewer production and jobs,โ€ added Watson.

Note: Numbers are preliminary. For additional insights from Bart Watson, visit Insights & Analysis on the Brewers Association website. The full 2019 industry analysis will be published in the May/June 2020 issue of The New Brewer, highlighting regional trends and production by individual breweries.

1 An American craft brewer is a small and independent brewer. Small: Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3% of U.S. annual sales). Beer production is attributed to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member that is not itself a craft brewer. Brewer: Has a TTB Brewerโ€™s Notice and makes beer.

2 Absolute figures reflect the dynamic craft brewer data set as specified by the craft brewer definition. Growth numbers are presented on a comparable base. See full methodology.

3 Volume by craft brewers represent total taxable production.

For the latest news and information about craft beer in Indiana visit beerblogIN.com

Bare Hands Triple Can Release

Bare Hands Triple Can Release 4/15

Bare Hands Brewery is doing a triple can release on Wednesday, 4/15. These are described as follows:

Silvin Pilsner – A crisp, clean Pilsner style lager brewed with American malts and European noble hops and a classic lager yeast to create a balanced lager. 4.6% ABV

Upful IPA – A Citra hopped IPA featuring a biscuity, and baked bread malt nose supported by prominent hop aroma and flavor. Citrus fruit and tropical hop notes are balanced by a touch of malt sweetness, accompanying bitterness, and clean finish. 7% ABV

Helgian – A strong, medium bodied Belgian style ale with hints of ripe pear, banana, and clove. 11% ABV

Annual Craft Brewers Conference

Annual Craft Brewers Conference Begins Today Online

The annual Craft Brewers Conference originally scheduled for April 19-22 in San Antonio, was canceled for obvious reasons, and is now taking place online. It will consist of forty seminars, with two live streams per day, beginning April 13th and running through May 15th. All of the seminars are free, and there will be recordings available through May 31st.

Here’s the schedule.

Pax Verum Delivery

Pax Verum Delivery

Jason from Pax Verum making delivery

Here it comes! My delivery from Pax Verum Brewery and the Cosmic Chrome Cafe. Delicious, as I obviously did not have “Clouded Judgement” when I placed the order! Many breweries are making deliveries as well as offering carryout or curbside service. Be sure and support them to the best of your ability during this time of adversity. They have been here for us, now it’s time for us to be there for them.

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