Scene : Craft Beer Sales Explode!

Craft Beers are rising faster than anytime since Prohibition...

Now I don't know about you, but I do enjoy myself a good craft beer, and apparently I'm not alone.  According to the Brewers Association there are now 2,126 craft breweries in the U.S., which turns out to be the most there have been since 1890.  That figure also includes the 350 new breweries that have opened since June 2011.  Surprising?  Maybe, but I've noticed that almost every time I'm at a function be it a BBQ or shooting the breeze at the local watering hole, at least one person is either drinking or telling me about this new craft beer they've discovered.  

The sales of craft beers have seen a 12 percent increase despite the fact that overall beer sales are down.  Makes perfect since, if the sales of craft beers continue to go up then naturally the "traditional" beer sales will begin to drop.  Take myself for example, when I was younger I usually went for the more "traditional" beers or whatever I seen the older guys drinking, but now I'm always on the look out for something new to try.  

An interesting quote from Paul Gatza, director of the brewers association stated "Beer passionate Americans are opening breweries at a rate faster than the day Prohibition ended for the beverage moderation.  There is nearly a new brewery opening for everyday of the year, benefiting beer lovers and communities in every area across the country".  I'll cheers to that.  Another fun fact about these craft breweries is they account for about 104,000 full and part-time jobs, helping our nation's recovering economy.  So next time you hit the liquor store and your looking for something new, try checking out a craft beer.

A few suggestions to check out...

- Old Brown Dog (Smutty Nose Brewing Co.)
-DogFish Head
-Samuel Adams Boston Larger