‘2014: The Year in Beer’ released

The Brewers Association, the trade group for craft breweries in the United States, has released a report entitled “THE YEAR IN BEER: 2014 CRAFT BEER IN REVIEW.” In this report, Florida factors into a few surprising statistics.

Impressively, Florida is on the short list of states (13 total) that have over 100 craft breweries operating within its borders. Compare that to ten or even five years ago and it would be a different story. There are currently 4,500 active brewery licenses within the U.S.

Craft beer continues monumental growth. As of this year, craft breweries are opening at a rate of 1.5 per day nationwide, with about 2,000 craft breweries currently in some stage of planning. The report also says that “through June of 2014, craft brewers enjoyed 18 percent growth by volume. Numerous data channels are showing continuing double-digit growth for craft in the second half of the year.”

Finally, the report shows that IPA is the most enjoyed style of craft beer. “According to retail scan data, IPA is up 47 percent by volume and 49 percent by dollar sales, accounting for 21 percent volume share of craft and 23 percent dollar share of off-premise beer sales. Additionally, the style was the number one entered category at the Great American Beer Festival®.”

What does this data mean? To boil it down in simple terms: now is one of the best times in history to enjoy craft beer.

For the full report, click here.

Tampa Bay Beer Week boasts over 100 events

Tampa Bay Beer Week started modestly two years ago with the breweries of Tampa Bay getting together to celebrate their accomplishments. Last year boasted over 100 events established the week of beer week.

This year, in its 3rd year, Tampa Bay Beer Week has established itself as one of the finest series of events in Tampa Bay and it now has over 100 events listed two weeks before beer week.

Congratulations to the organizers of Tampa Bay Beer Week on establishing such a great local tradition.

Meander over to Tampa Bay Beer Week’s events page, and schedule time off from work accordingly.