How Much Is Too Much? When Does The Bubble Burst or The Beer Go Flat?

The steady growth of American craft brewing continued during the first half of 2013, according to mid-year data released by the Brewers Association.

During the first six months of 2013, American craft beer dollar sales and volume were up 15 percent and 13 percent, respectively. Over the same period last year, dollar sales jumped 14 percent and volume increased 12 percent.

During the first half of 2013, approximately 7.3 million barrels of beer were sold by small and independent craft brewers, up from 6.4 million barrels over the first half of 2012. American craft beer continues to grow despite decreased overall beer sales, which were down two percent through the first six months of the year.

There are 2,538 breweries operating in the U.S. as of June 30, 2013, an increase of 446 breweries since June 2012. The Brewers Association  also lists an additional 1,605 breweries in planning at the year’s midpoint, compared to 1,252 a year ago.

As of June 30, 2013, the count of craft breweries was at 2,483, showing that 98 percent of U.S. brewers are craft brewers. Craft brewers currently employ an estimated 108,440 full-time and part-time workers, many of which are manufacturing jobs, contributing significantly to the U.S. economy.

We haven’t seen this many breweries in America since the nineteenth century. But, how many is too many? How much is too much? Are we close to a bubble or the beer going flat?
For some insight into that and how two Michigan craft-brewing entrepreneurs feel about the future, please click here for Quenching The Thirst, Chapter Four: The Future.

Quenching The Thirst is the fifth ebook essay in the Restore The Roar: Manufacturing Renaissance series. To download your copy for 99 cents, please click here.

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