Craft Continues Surge

Nov 3, 2006 - According to Ray Daniels, Director of Craft Beer Marketing at the Brewers Association, Information Resources Inc. data shows that the craft beer segment has grown nearly 17% in the first 9 months of this year versus the same period last year.

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During that same period, the overall beer category grew 1.9% while imports were up 10% versus last year.

IRI's data for previous years show growth of 8%, 5% and 2.3% for 2005, 2004 and 2003 respectively.

The most popular craft styles (with dollar share of total craft):

Pale Ale (17.9%)

Seasonal beers (12.5%)

Amber Ale (11.2%)

Amber Lager (11.0%)

Wheat Beers (8.8%)

IPA (6.1%)

Others (32.5%)

Fastest growing of these:

Seasonal beers, with dollar sales up 31% over last year

IPAs up 27.5%

Wheat beers up 25%