The growth of the U.S. craft beer industry is showing no signs of slowing down. So say the latest statistics from the Brewers Association, which released its 2013 mid-year report today. Among its findings:
• Although overall U.S. beer sales for the first six months of 2013 fell 2% from the same period last year, craft beer sales increased 13% from 6.4 million barrels to 7.3 million barrels.
• As of June 30, there were 2,538 breweries operating in the U.S., and increase of 446 since June 30, 2012. An additional 1,605 breweries are in the planning, compared to 1,253 a year ago.
• Of the current 2,538 breweries, 2,483 – or 98% – are considered craft breweries. There now are more breweries operating in the U.S. than at any point in the last 140 years (see chart).
The East Valley is poised to add to the number of craft breweries with the openings of Arizona Wilderness Brewing in Gilbert and Huss Brewing in Tempe in August.
