The Brewers Association (BA) today announced that, by the end of 2013, the number of U.S. breweries reached its highest level since the early 1870s. The BA counted 2,722 brewing facilities in the U.S. last year, and increase of more than 400 versus 2012.
On the heels of a year in which Sierra Nevada saw continued success in sales of its canned offerings, the country’s second-largest craft brewery today announced that it will begin shipping 4-packs of its flagship Pale Ale in 16 oz. cans nationwide next week.
Cash, credit or Bitcoin? Philadelphia Brewing Co., announced last week that it would become the first brewery in the country to accept the controversial cryptocurrency known as Bitcoin for retail and wholesale purchases. Nancy Barton, the co-owner of Philadelphia Brewing, described the decision to hop on the digital bandwagon as a “no-brainer.”
The first certified Trappist brewery on U.S. soil has officially launched and will begin distributing its beer across Massachusetts next week. Saint Joseph’s Abbey, located in Spencer, Mass., has signed a distribution agreement with Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (MBA) and hopes to produce 4,000 barrels in 2014, according to the Boston Globe.
New Mexico’s Santa Fe Brewing is about to embark on a phased expansion project that could take three years and cost upwards of $14 million. Brian Lock, the company’s owner and president said his business has grown between 20 and 30 percent over each of the last four years, sees nothing but opportunity not only… Read more »
Craft Beer sales in key U.S. retail channels grew 19.2 percent in 2013, according to new data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI. Sales eclipsed $1.8 billion in IRI’s multi-outlet and convenience retail channel universe (MULC), which comprises grocery, drug, Wal-Mart, Club, Dollar, Mass-Merchandiser and Military stores, gaining 0.86 share points of total off-premise U.S…. Read more »
Look out, SAM and BREW. After executing a reverse merger, little Boone, N.C.-based Appalachian Mountain Brewery (now traded under HOPS) has become the fourth publicly-traded craft beer company in the U.S., joining the aforementioned Boston Beer Co. and Craft Brew Alliance, as well as Mendocino Brewing (OTC:MENB) on the open markets.
An assertive push for tap handles by the country’s largest craft brewery, Boston Beer Co., became a global crisis in the twittersphere as Lagunitas founder, Tony Magee posted a series of inflammatory messages to the social networking site on Dec. 17. Perhaps alarmed that amidst increasing competition for tap handles his larger competitor might be throwing its weight around, Magee alleged that Boston Beer is “specifically targeting” the Lagunitas IPA business.
Craft Brew Alliance today announced it will expand distribution of the Kona Brewing brand to three new states: Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin. The company — which also produces the Widmer Brothers, Redhook, Omission Beer and Square Mile Cider brands — will initially sell its Longboard Lager and Big Wave Golden Ale in the new markets.
Light bulb moments, the kind that make you say, “A-ha!” can be had anywhere, anytime. It’s no surprise, then, that when Smuttynose Brewing Co. spokesman J.T. Thompson and Scott Schaier, the executive director of the Beer Distributors of New Hampshire, came up with the idea of building craft beer awareness in the state, it was… Read more »
For aspiring business owners in Henderson, Nev., starting a tavern or brewpub can be a financial risk akin to a long night of roulette in nearby Las Vegas. CraftHaus Brewery, however, has successfully worked with the city to amend brewpub licensing in hopes of making that bet a whole lot safer for would-be entrepreneurs.
If today’s press release from Oskar Blues is any indication, competition in the craft beer category is poised to heat up in the New Year. The Longmont, Colo.-based craft brewery — which also owns and operates a secondary production facility in Brevard, NC — today announced plans to get more aggressive with its distribution efforts in 2014 and, to start the year, Oskar Blues said will expand into five new states
For the brewer and the drinker, the act of delving beyond the familiar creates one of the most alluring dimensions of the craft beer movement. Brewers aiming to reach this point — to define a brewery by its fabric and its fibers, rather than outside fashion — continue to make porters and stouts. And as drinkers gradually dismiss the psychological hindrances of darker beer, the creations register.
The Brewers Association has revealed that it has been reviewing keg safety for much of the past year and that it will soon release recommendations for keg performance and safety guidelines. The review comes after numerous reports of explosive failures involving kegs manufactured by Plastic Kegs America (PKA).
