America’s Beer Distributors Celebrate Craft Beer Week

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – America’s more than 3,000 licensed, independent beer distributors are celebrating the excitement that new, entrepreneurial brewers bring to the beer industry and consumers across the country during American Craft Beer Week, May 16-22, 2016. During the week, the culture and contributions of local breweries across the United States will be highlighted.

According to data released this March by the Brewers Association (BA), craft brewers – as defined by BA – enjoyed continued growth during 2015 as American craft beer production volume increased 13 percent. The data indicated that these brewers now represent 12 percent market share of the overall beer industry.

More than 4,000 breweries were in operation across the United States in 2015 – a 15 percent increase from the previous year and the most at any time in American history. That number includes more than 600 new breweries that opened for business across the country in 2015.

“Craft beer continues to provide a significant contribution to the American beer industry,” said NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser. “This success is due in large part to the effectiveness of the open and independent distribution system that allows access to market for brewers of all sizes and a state-based regulatory system that works to level the playing field between brewers, distributors and retailers.”

“NBWA is proud of the role that independent beer distributors play to help the craft beer industry thrive,” Purser continued. “The growth in craft beer sales underscores the excitement of independent beer distributors in partnering with America’s craft brewers to help them reach a wide network of retailers and increase their value.”

According to a recent survey of NBWA distributor members:

• 97% of distributors have added at least one new brewer partner in the past year
• 94% of distributors carry products from local, in-state craft breweries
• 94% of distributors carry the brands of multiple local brewers