National sales of craft beer rose 9 percent in the first half of 2009 despite the economic downturn, the Brewers Association reported recently. Take that, Big Beer!
The volume of craft beer produced nationally also rose by 5 percent from the first half of 2008, though year-over-year overall U.S. beer sales fell by 1.3 percent during that time period, the association reported.
Craft breweries — which are locally owned, produce less than 2 million gallons of beer annually and do at least half their sales with all-malt beers — have taken a larger share of American sales in recent years, holding about 6.3 percent of the market in dollars.
Full Story at BizJournals
by the way, interview with Matthew Brynildson (Firestone Walker) about craft beer:
http://eng.pivnoe-delo.info/american-craft-beer/
Do you worry about the new TAX bill for beer? This could raise it up 10% and then sales would go down.
I hope they dont do that. We need to start a petition.
Jacki