The craft brewing community likes to lean on one word as one of its pillars: community. But high profile incidents of racism and industry data released in the past year have demonstrated that the community isn’t always diverse or inclusive. Two recent news stories from Minneapolis have exposed just how far our local beer industry … [ Read more]
Craft beer growth slows to 4%, record number of craft brewery closings in 2018
April 3, 2019 by
The Brewers Association released its 2018 growth figures for craft beer on April 2 and it contained some stark statistics for the industry. Not only did craft beer volume growth fall for the third year straight, slowing to 4% in 2018—down from 5% in 2017 and 6% in 2016—but the industry saw a record number … [ Read more]
Three Minnesota breweries among the top 50 in the U.S.
March 12, 2019 by
Three Minnesota breweries are on the Brewers Association’s annual lists of the top 50 producing craft brewing companies in the U.S. and the 50 top overall brewing companies in the U.S., based on beer sales volume. Summit Brewing Company, August Schell Brewing Company, and Surly Brewing Company came in at 24th, 25th, and 34th, respectively, … [ Read more]
Brewers Association names first Diversity Ambassador
April 25, 2018 by
With the goal of fostering a more diverse craft beer industry, the Brewers Association named J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, Ph.D. as its first-ever Diversity Ambassador. As an avid homebrewer and assistant professor of communication studies at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia, she has written and spoken extensively on beer’s role in our culture, as well as … [ Read more]
To Haze, Or Not to Haze?
April 13, 2018 by
New England IPAs are divisive. Some argue the style converts the hop-averse into enthusiastic proponents of hop flavor and aroma. Others point out their trademark haze can cause short shelf life, disguise bad brewing practices, and lead eager but uninformed consumers to value haze over quality. But at this point it’s hard to make the argument … [ Read more]
Craft beer is still growing, but competition is stiffer than ever
March 29, 2018 by
It seems to be a constant question circling the craft beer world: how can the business of craft brewing still be growing? Haven’t we reached the point of saturation? According to a report released this week by the Brewers Association, 2017 saw sustained growth across the board for the craft brewing industry. There were just under 6,300 … [ Read more]
How Minnesota’s breweries fare under new tax rules
March 5, 2018 by
Summit Brewing president Mark Stutrud is excited about the new “Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.” “The tax reform is inclusive and beneficial to all brewers, which is a positive, and we’re eager to put the savings right back into our brewery so our customers can enjoy more Summit beer,” Stutrud says. The way … [ Read more]
Busting Up the Brotherhood of Beer: Time to confront sexism & harassment in the industry
February 6, 2018 by
Last April, the Brewers Association announced that it would no longer publicize medals won by beers with sexist names or labels. From now on, beers like Thong Remover, PD (Panty Dropper), and Pearl Necklace could win in competition, but the win would not be published. The comment threads and forum posts that followed the announcement … [ Read more]
U of M paving the way toward better barley, stronger hops
January 17, 2018 by
It’s not a question of if, but when an invasive species will threaten Minnesota hop crops. That’s not meant to scare local hop growers or breweries that use them. It’s just something University of Minnesota professor Gary Muehlbauer is trying to prevent with his research. Luckily, he and two other U of M professors have … [ Read more]
U.S. hits record-breaking 6,000 breweries in operation
December 14, 2017 by
Another year has come and gone, but not without craft beer industry hitting a record-shattering number. The Brewers Association published its end of the year report, announcing that America has passed 6,000 total breweries, with 98 percent of them being small and independent craft brewers. Though the exact total has yet to be revealed, it’s … [ Read more]
Brewers Association, USDA team up to breed disease-resistant hops
October 30, 2017 by
Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade group, has reached a deal with the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) to fund a public hop breeding program. The trust agreement would develop disease-resistant hop strains to be released into the public domain, greatly opening up access for growers, buyers, and brewers who were previously working … [ Read more]
Brewers Association releases Top 50 Craft Breweries of 2016 list
March 15, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The Brewers Association released their annual Top 50 Craft Breweries list for 2016, which ranks America’s breweries by annual production. Three Minnesota craft breweries made the list in 2016. New Ulm’s August Schell Brewing, which opened its new Starkeller in early March, jumped three spots from 27 to 24. Summit Brewing, which celebrated its 30th anniversary … [ Read more]
CraftBeer.com releases list of the best beer bar in every state
February 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The Brewers Association’s CraftBeer.com polls its readers annually in search of the best craft beer bars in America. The list is chock full of the usual suspects from around the country, like Des Moines, Iowa’s, el Bait Shop with their 222 tap lines, ChurchKey in Washington, D.C., and Eugene, Oregon’s, The Bier Stein, where you can choose … [ Read more]
The U.S. reaches the 5,000 brewery mark in 2016
December 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment
It’s official—the United States has over 5,000 breweries in operation. The record-setting number comes from the Brewers Association’s Year in Review released its year in review on December 5. In December 2015, the country’s brewery count hit a historic high of 4,144 breweries, surpassing the previous mark of 4,131 set in 1873. Since last year, over 800 new craft breweries have … [ Read more]
Top homebrewers awarded at Homebrew Con 2016
June 14, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The American Homebrewers Association hosted 3,000 homebrewers at its three-day conference and competition, Homebrew Con, in Baltimore from June 9–11. Homebrew Con culminated on June 11 with the AHA National Homebrew Competition, which saw 7,962 entries from 3,396 homebrewers located in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and 13 other countries. The first competition, held in 1979 in … [ Read more]
