Big Growth, But Can They Keep Up?

According to recent numbers released by the Brewers Association, the US now boasts 1,625 breweries—the highest figure in over 100 years. Craft beer sales rose 12 percent and the volume of beer sold went up 9 percent over the first half of last year, although the collective beer industry volume sales were down 2.7 percent. And since July 2009, 100 new brewers have joined the craft beer party.

While these numbers sound great for craft brewing—though not so hot for beer in general—a question pops into our heads: Can craft brewers keep up? We ask this because we’re seeing a rise in craft brewers who aren’t meeting demand; they’re overextending themselves in the market, grasping at straws for attention, and more brewers are turning to contract brewing. As a result, inconsistencies in quality, distribution and pricing are infiltrating the market—and we’re hearing the complaints from consumers.

We’re consumers too, and we’re concerned by the growing number of craft brewers who are producing mediocre beers, but refusing to acknowledge the problem. Instead, we continue behaving like we’re one big, happy, high-fiving community. So the question here isn’t whether or not these struggling brewers can keep up with demand; it’s about whether they can cut it quality-wise as America’s palate becomes more discerning and less forgiving, especially in light of rising beer prices.

Personally, we’ll be leaving that proverbial high-five hanging for the time being.

Respect Beer. ■