Daily Archives: February 24, 2009

Thank the Beer Gods

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In the winter time, which where I live seems to start in October and hang on until April, I keep my beer in the garage along some nice long shelves. My garage maintains a pretty even temperature over time, though in the deep of winter it keeps my beer as cold as my refrigerator would. (In the summer, I move my beer to the basement where it maintains an even 67 degrees)

I love my garage shelves because it is like my own mini-candy store. I always keep it stocked with a selection of pale ales, IPA’s, stouts, browns, wits… basically all of my favorite styles and those my friends and family like. Recently, from my 40th birthday gift, I have an extra bunch of bombers and unique beers; some of which are very expensive.

Just the other day when I went out to my car to leave for work I found a can Snapperhead IPA in front of my car lying on its side. It took me a few seconds to notice that other things were out of place, too, like the kids sleds were all knocked over and the newspapers were thrown about. It reminded me of that time when a rabid raccoon got stuck in my parents garage and freaked out, but that’s another story.

I stood there frozen letting the situation sink in. What creature got in here? When and how did he get in? Was he still here? WHAT THE FREAK DID HE DO TO ALL MY BEER? I spun around to see all of my beer bottles knocked over including some in six packs. What kind of monster did this? (and how do I kill it!?!)

I reluctantly started looking for which beers were broke. Searching, I didn’t see anything broken or spilled on the floor, nor did I smell any beer. I did find a few more cans on the floor. My Oskar Blues Ten Fidy was on the floor and dented along side of a can of Abbott Ale. But neither were broken. Further searching I found several bottles that had fallen off the shelf but landed in the paper recycling bin and they were fine too. (Double Simcoe IPA, Shipyard Export, & Green Flash Hop Head Red) The beer gods were with me!

I quickly attended to the immediate emergency… save the beer.  (and moved it all to the basement)

I couldn’t find any creature, but over the next couple of days there were signs he was still around. Finally, one evening when my wife was coming home from class she came in all in a tizzy… she thinks she knows where it is hiding. She was right, and in the corner hiding behind the bin of soccer balls was an opossum. The scared poor little creature didn’t know what to do. Since no beer was spilled, I found him not guilty and just sent him back out into the cold snow. And I thanked the beer gods by enjoying a Storm King Stout.

Mendocino Blue Heron Pale Ale

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Mendocino Blue Heron Pale AleBeer-a-Day #55

This is the first of several I picked up from Mendocino Brewing Company.

Pours a clear yellow. The head laces nicely on the glass. I get grapefruit and grass in the aroma, but mostly just a good “hoppy” smell. Lots of hops in the taste, medium body. This is quite refreshing. I like it quite a bit.

Blue Heron Pale Ale


Brewers Association Announces 2008 Craft Brewer Sales Numbers (press release)

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For Immediate Release

Julia Herz
303.447.0816 x113
julia@brewersassociation.org
www.beertown.org

Brewers Association Announces 2008 Craft Brewer Sales Numbers

Today’s Beer and Wine Drinkers Moving to Full Flavor Craft Beer and Buying Closer to Home While Small Brewers Gain Alcohol Market Share

Boulder, CO – Monday, February 23, 2009 – The Brewers Association, which tabulates industry growth data for U.S. breweries, announced that today’s small independent craft brewers are gaining alcohol market share due to a shift toward full flavor beer and increased support for local breweries. From 2007 to 2008, estimated sales by craft brewers were up 5.8 percent by volume and 10.5 percent in dollars¹. Overall share of the beer category from craft brewers was 4.0 percent of production and 6.3 percent of retail sales. More than 1 million new barrels of beer were sold in 2008, and close to half of those barrels were beer from craft brewers.

“2008 was a historic year for beer with the large brewers consolidating and imports losing share, while the top ten selling beer brands dropped in sales. At the same time, small independent craft brewers continued to gain share and attention,” said Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association.

Download a high resolution version of this image.

With total U.S. beer being more than a $100 billion industry, the Brewers Association estimates the actual dollar sales from craft brewers in 2008 were $6.34 billion, up from $5.74 billion in 2007. Taxable barrels of the total beer category was 1,210,018 more in 2008 with craft brewers producing 473,364 of those barrels. Total craft brewer barrels for 2008 was 8,596,971, up from 8,123,607 barrels in 2007.

Beer’s popularity as America’s favorite fermented beverage continued in 2008 with Gallup stating “beer is back to a double-digit lead over wine.” Taking into account the challenges in today’s economy, BevincoNielsen released a survey showing beer was faring better than spirits, with wine lagging. The Brewers Association emphasized trading across from wine and spirits to beer continues, with some of today’s wine drinkers discovering the affordable enjoyment and rewards of craft beer.

These increases in share and barrels for craft brewers come at a time when, according to the Brewers Association, the cost of operating a small brewery increased over 39 percent in the period of November 2007 to November 2008. The Brewers Association states that today’s craft brewers face many challenges including:

  • Access to ingredients and raw materials
  • Increased pricing for materials and supplies
  • Access to market (competition for shelf space at the retail level)

For more statistics visit 2008 Craft Beer Industry Statistics. A more extensive analysis will be released April 22 during the Craft Brewers Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The Association’s full 2008 industry analysis, which shows regional trends and sales by individual brewery, will be published in the May/June issue of The New Brewer.

 
¹Sales by craft brewers represent total taxable production. Dollars reported by Information Resources Inc. for total U.S. supermarkets.

The definition of a craft brewer as stated by the Brewers Association: An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional. Small: Annual production of beer less than 2 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition. Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer. Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.

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Based in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade and education association for American small and independent brewers and the community of beer enthusiasts. Visit the Web site, www.beertown.org, to learn more. The association’s activities include events and publishing: World Beer Cup®; Great American Beer Festival sm; Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®; National Homebrewers Conference; National Homebrew Competition; SAVOR: an American Craft Beer and Food Experience ; American Craft Beer Week; Zymurgy magazine; The New Brewer magazine; and books on beer and brewing. The Brewers Association has an additional membership division of 17,000+ homebrewers:  American Homebrewers Association.