Craft Continues Surge

Beverage Industry News» Beverage Industry Newsposted Nov 3rd, 2006 12:00:00AM by Pat Hagerman

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.

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%