Craft beer segment grows 11 percent during first half of 2007

The Brewers Association, the trade association that tabulates industry data for craft brewers, reports craft beer sales and growth continue to break records.

IN a press release the Brewers Association announced that the volume of craft beer sold in the first half of 2007 rose 11 percent compared to the same period in 2006 and dollar growth increased 14 percent. For the first time ever craft beer has exceeded more than a 5 percent dollar share of total beer sales.

Overall, the U.S. beer industry sold one million more barrels in the first half of 2007 compared to 2006, with 400,000 of these new barrels produced by micro breweries. This equates to 3.768 million barrels of craft beer sold in the first two quarters of 2007 compared to 3.368 million barrels sold in the first half of 2006.

Scan data from Information Resources, Inc. provide additional data points that confirm strength for the segment. Craft beer sales in the supermarket channel through July 15th, 2007 showed a 17.4 percent increase in dollar sales compared to the same period in 2006. This growth in sales was higher than any other alcohol beverage category.