The U.S. craft beer market saw volume production increase by 5 percent for the first six months of 2017, a slight downturn from the 8 percent volume growth over the same comparable period last year, according to the Brewers Association mid-year 2017 growth report.
As of mid-year, there were a total of 5,562 U.S. breweries in operation, an increase of 906 breweries compared to the total number last year. With a record number of 2,739 breweries currently “in the works”, according to the Brewers Association. Microbreweries and brewpubs showed the most growth as the rest of the segment stabilizes into a more standard growth rate from previous record highs. The beer world remains highly competitive and with an estimated 30 percent growth in the total number of breweries coming soon that competition is only going to increase.
Source: BeverageDaily.com, August 2017