Craft Brewers Conference 2016: Record-setting
The 2016 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America (May 3-6, Philadelphia) saw more attendees (13,600) and exhibitors (835) than ever. Atop the Rocky steps, more than 6,000 conference-goers gathered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to enjoy the fine arts while savoring the fruits of the craft community’s creative endeavors.
Brewers Association Director Paul Gatza and Chief Economist Bart Watson offered a quantitative survey of the craft beer landscape. The upshot? The state of craft is strong. Though growth in 2015 (13 percent) was not quite as meteoric as in 2014 (18 percent), craft brewers posted numbers that would be the envy of virtually any industry. What’s more, craft beer sales are at an all-time high, reaching 12 percent volume share. And it’s clear that American beer drinkers have not lost their taste for hoppy brew: IPA remains far and away the most popular style, with 26.49 percent dollar share.
Each year at CBC, the Brewers Association takes time to recognize individuals and organizations who inspire, defend and innovate within the craft brewing industry. This year’s award winners were:
• Brewers Association Recognition Award: Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery;
• F.X. Matt Defense of the Craft Brewing Industry Award: Nick Matt, F.X. Matt Brewing Co.;
• Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing: Jason Perkins, Allagash Brewing Co.;
• Brewers Association Craft Beer Wholesaler of the Year: Odom Corporation, Coeur d’Alene, ID.
In addition, this year’s conference featured 74 educational seminars covering all aspects of the beer business, not to mention sponsored demonstrations, hospitality suites and a trade show.
