"Yes I will." Beer drinkers driving craft brewers growth in U.S.A. - 2009 numbers up again

U.S. craft brewers continue to sustain their flight, pleasing the tastes of
beer enthusiast for another year of growth and growing demand.  Photos by
Charlie Papazian

“Yes I will.” Beer drinkers driving craft brewers growth in U.S.A. – 2009 numbers up again

The Brewers Association has released its annual U.S. craft brewers’ production statistics for the year 2009.  Craft beer drinkers have spoken with a resounding “Yes I will.” Despite the intimidating challenges confronting small businesses, America’s small and independent breweries are graced by supportive beer drinkers’ continuing their enthusiasm for the flavor and diversity of craft beer.  Beer drinkers have said “Yes I will” to 613,992 more barrels of craft beer from craft brewers in 2009 than in 2008.

Craft beer volume from America’s small and independent brewers increased 7.2% in 2009 over the previous year.  There are 1,542 small and independent breweries in the United States.  That means that these 1,542 share a total of about 4.3% in the kingdom that’s called the U.S. beer market. 

Left: Craft brewers have led American beer drinkers out of the desert, to glasses of promise, choice and diversity.

There is no such thing as an average market share of beer, but if there was, then America’s small brewers each on average can claim less than .003% of the beer market. When you factor that the 5 top small craft brewers account for about 44% (2008 figures) of the small brewers market, that .003% shrinks to 2.4% of the market divided between 1,537 breweries.  The average becomes .00007% market share per brewery.

The costs of doing business as a small and independent company are greater than megabrand competitors, no matter what business you are in.  The economic challenges of 2008 and 2009 have not been pretty, even for small brewers.  Ingredient, equipment, transportation and energy costs continue to rise. There’s no big volume discount when you have 0.00007% share of the market. It takes more people to make craft beer from small and independent companies, in other words more employees – as anyone who has run a small business knows.  For craft beer, that is one of the significant reasons why craft brewers’ beers cost more than main stream mega brands.  And that’s why, though small brewers grew 7.2% in volume they grew even more in sales at 10.3% in 2009 over 2008.

Right: Make a call and tell your friends that "craft" is not your grandfather's beer.

How are other larger brewers doing?  The Brewers Association reports overall U.S. beer sales fell from approximately 210.4 million barrels to 205.8 million barrels.

How much craft beer from small and independent brewers was enjoyed in 2009?  Try savoring 9,115,635 barrels!  For these and other fact click here. 

See the full press release from the Brewers Association