2017 Craft Beer Growth Statistics

Small and Independent Craft Breweries Continue to Gain Market Share

The Brewers Association recently released their industry statistics for 2017 with Craft Beer continuing to see market growth, topping out at 12.7% for the year with the total beer market down 1%.  This represents a 5% growth rate, down from 6% in 2016.  Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewers Association, cites the slowing growth rate as expected in a maturing craft beer marketplace.

At year-end, there were 6,266 craft breweries in America with 997 openings in 2017.  These brewers produced over 25 Million barrels of beer and supported 135,072 jobs.  The trend toward local beer continues with most new breweries opening on a smaller scale and many preferring own-premise sales over distribution.

Growth rates vary across different regions, with some underdeveloped markets growing well above the average rate.  With our changing laws, Georgia is one of those markets with 13 breweries and 10 brewpubs opening in 2017, representing a 38.9% growth rate from 2016.

Brewery Closures Up Slightly

As expected, the percentage of breweries that closed in 2017 is up slightly with 165 total closures.  Watson cites the maturing market and continued competition in the sector as the main reasons for the slightly elevated numbers.  Most of the breweries closing are smaller with landlord and rent issues a factor for many, something we’ve seen here in Georgia with the recent closure of Slice & Pint brewpub in Atlanta.

Continued, Slower Growth is Expected

Although it’s difficult to accurately track, there are approximately 2,500 breweries in planning in the US right now.  Most of these will be smaller breweries or brewpubs catering to the local market.  In Georgia, we’ve seen three new breweries open so far this year, with at least 28 breweries that plan to open in 2018.  Approximately 10 Additional breweries are in the works for Georgia beyond 2018.

More information is available from the Brewers Association website or in the below infographic, courtesy of the Brewers Association.

2017 Craft Beer Market Growth
Click to expand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Craft-Beer-Growth-800x419.jpghttps://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Craft-Beer-Growth-150x150.jpgTim DennisBreweriesBrewpubsNewsPress Release2017,Brewers Association,growth,market,salesSmall and Independent Craft Breweries Continue to Gain Market Share The Brewers Association recently released their industry statistics for 2017 with Craft Beer continuing to see market growth, topping out at 12.7% for the year with the total beer market down 1%.  This represents a 5% growth rate, down from...Cold beer, hot conversations, stupid jokes.