American craft brewing is expanding fast, brewing some of the best beers in the world.
In just thirty years, small craft brewing became big business, generating sales which are now 10% of the $100 billion annual brewing business. In the 1970s, the USA had only 50 brewers. Today there are over 2,500. Big brewers beware.
The start was the 1980s legislation giving a tax break to small brewers and lifting the 1930s ban on homebrewing. Making sales was easy. Making profits was a lot harder. Many pioneers took years to make a profit. Others never made a profit. Great brews, short brewery life.
A decade ago, new craft brewers added more business acumen. Idealism and dedication were fine. Earnings were even better. It wasn’t long before customers began to notice the fantastic quality of the beers being produced. Affluent customers began lining up. New technology also helped. Instead of competing, craft brewers helped each other – revealing new techniques, tips, and strategies. The internet explosion helped spread the word to customers. It also let craft brewers talk directly (and immediately) to each other.
More big things are coming. Over a thousand additional craft breweries are being planned. Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors are both making and marketing successful craft-like brews.
Craft beer customers won’t be fooled when big brewers send out their Xerox copies. Local brews often taste better. They’re always different. If this weren’t true, the craft brewing revolution wouldn’t be spreading worldwide.
So keep on brewing. The whole world is watching.
And when you need beverage industry equipment to keep on keepin' on with great craft beer production, we're here for you.
Oh Hoppy Day!