Craft beer volume up 11 percent in 2010
On 21 March 2011 the Brewers Association, the trade association representing the majority of U.S. brewing companies, released 2010 data on the U.S. craft brewing industry. Small and independent craft brewers saw volume increase 11 percent and retail sales dollars increase 12 percent over 2009, representing a growth of over 1.2 million hl.
“Beer lovers increased their appreciation for American craft brewers and their beers in 2010,” said Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association.
The Association also reported a growth in the number of U.S. breweries, with eight percent more breweries than the previous year. In 2010, there were 1,759 operating breweries. Craft brewers produced 9.9 million barrels beer (11.6 million hl).
In 2010, craft brewers represented 4.9 percent of volume and 7.6 percent of retail dollars of the total U.S. beer category.
The Brewers Association estimates the actual dollar sales figure from craft brewers in 2010 was USD 7.6 billion, up from USD 7.0 billion in 2009.
Overall, the U.S. beer industry represented an estimated retail dollar value of USD 101 billion.
U.S. beer sales were down approximately 1 percent, or 2.3 million hl, in 2010 compared to being down 2.2 percent in 2009. Total beer industry output dropped to 237 million hl, down from 241 million hl in 2009.
Imports were up five percent in 2010, compared to being down 9.8 percent in 2009. At the end of 2010, imports had a market share of over 13 percent. Still, the import segment is approximately 2.3 million hl below its peak in 2006.
Beer Marketer’s Insights says that key 2010 country trends were: Mexico (+4.6%), Canada (+11%), Netherlands (-1.6%), Germany (+15%), Belgium (+29%), UK (+4%), Ireland (-1.5%).
