For the second year running, the Brewers Association will represent American craft brewers at the Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival, to be held in Sweden’s capital city on the consecutive weekends of September 30 – October 1 and October 7 – 8.
Using funds provided through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the BA will maintain a booth at the festival where American craft beer will be on hand for sampling by representatives of the Swedish malt beverage trade as well as the media.
“Attending this festival is a key part of the BA’s Export Development Program,” said Bob Pease, BA Vice President and manager of the program. “Last year was our initial foray into the international market and we were extremely pleased both with the reception American craft beer received in Stockholm and with the success achieved by several BA member breweries in concluding agreements to export their beer to Sweden.” As a result of 2004 attendance, three U.S. craft breweries reached agreements to ship beer to Sweden.
Complimenting the sampling, the festival also provides an excellent opportunity to educate attendees about the diversity of flavors and styles coming out of America’s craft breweries and their natural affinity to many foods. BA staff will conduct seminars covering the history and growth of craft beer in America, in-depth presentations on the variety of styles and a dinner featuring beer and food pairings.
“We fully expect to build on last year’s impressive results at this year’s event,” said Charlie Papazian, BA President. “With 21 breweries attending or sending beer to Stockholm, festival attendees will experience first-hand the many full-flavored, quality beers being produced by a wide variety of America’s top brewers.”
The mission of the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program is to create awareness in target international markets of American Craft Beer leading to sales opportunities for the program’s participants. The secondary mission is to educate American breweries on opportunities for them in the international market place.
PARTICIPATING BREWERIES
Avery Brewing Co. – Boulder, CO
Boston Beer Co. – Boston, MA
The Brooklyn Brewery – Brooklyn, NY
Pelican Pub and Brewery – Pacific City, OR
Coast Range Brewing Co. – Gilroy, CA
Deschutes Brewery – Bend, CO
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery – Milton, DE
Flying Dog Brewery – Denver, CO
FX Matt Brewing Co. – Utica, NY
Great Beer Co. – Chatsworth, CA
Great Divide Brewing Co. – Denver, CO
Left Hand Brewing Co. – Longmont, CO
North Coast Brewing Co. – Ft. Bragg, CA
Odell’s Brewing Co. – Ft. Collins, CO
Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery – Lyons, CO
Rogue Ales Brewery – Newport, OR
Shipyard Brewing Co. – Portland, ME
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Chico, CA
Stone Brewing Co. – San Marcos, CA
Victory Brewing Co. – Downingtown, PA