Brewers Association Mid-Year Metrics Show Continued Growth for Craft

Brewers Association Mid-Year Metrics

Show Continued Growth for Craft

Brewery Count Reaches Historic High

Boulder, CO • July 26, 2016—Craft brewers are still growing, according to new mid-year data released by the Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers. American craft beer production volume increased eight percent during the first half of the year.

“While the craft brewing industry is entering a period of maturation, most markets are not near saturation,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “As craft’s base gets larger, as with any industry, it becomes more difficult for it to grow at the same percentage rate. Yet there is still tremendous dynamism reflected in eight percent growth for craft.  Production growth of small and independent craft brewers continues to be one of the main bright spots for domestic beer in the U.S. Even in a more competitive market, for the vast majority of small and independent brewers, opportunities still exist.”

View the full video here.

As of June 30, a record high of 4,656 breweries were operating in the U.S, an increase of 917 breweries over the same time period of the previous year. Additionally, there were approximately 2,200 breweries in planning. Craft brewers currently employ an estimated 121,843 full-time and part-time workers in a variety of roles including many of manufacturing jobs, all of which contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

“The opening rate compared to closing rate for breweries remains incredibly strong, with a historic number of breweries operating in the U.S.,” added Watson. “As long as there is growing consumer demand, beer lovers’ thirst will continue to advance the category of craft brewed beer from small and independent producers.”

Note: The data set includes the small and independent breweries that the Brewers Association anticipates being included in the 2016 data set.

Craft brewer definition: An American craft brewer is small, independent and traditional. Small: Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3 percent of U.S. annual sales). Beer production is attributed to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Independent: Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member that is not itself a craft brewer.Traditional: A brewer that has a majority of its total beverage alcohol volume in beers whose flavor derives from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation. Flavored malt beverages (FMBs) are not considered beers.

OC Brewers Guild Fest 2016 Recap

Last month, I had the chance to attend the inaugural OC Brewers Guild Fest.  This event was held in conjunction with OC Beer Week, and was a fantastic way to kick off a weeklong celebration of Orange County beer.

The OC Brewers Guild Fest took place at the Fullerton Arboretum, which is a beautiful setting on it's own, but it became even more beautiful with wonderful local beers!  Included with admission were unlimited pours of beers, including special releases, as well as food from local restaurants, live music, and of course, fun in a picturesque setting.  

The event started later in the day, which was nice since so it seems that so many beer events are during the hottest part of the day.  With a late start and cloudy weather, it really helped attendees enjoy themselves even more.  Having the event at the Fullerton Arboretum, which is a large outdoor venue really helped to spread out both attendees and vendors.  Even though it is a larger venue, it still felt as if you were at a friend's backyard, which made the event even more enjoyable.  The lines for beer were manageable throughout the event, there was plenty of seating which also helped attendees to take their time enjoying their beers, food, and the live music.

During the event, Gregory Nagel of OC Beer Blog hosted a seminar with local brewers.  It's always great to have the opportunity to learn more about beer, especially when the brewers themselves are able to answer questions.

It was very apparent that there was a lot of time and effort put into the planning of the OC Brewers Guild Fest which helped ensure that everything went smoothly and attendees had an amazing time.
I thoroughly enjoyed the inaugural OC Brewers Guild Fest, and am looking forward to attending next year!

  

  

3rd Annual Sabroso Craft Beer and Taco Festival Recap

This past Saturday, I was able to attend the 3rd Annual Sabroso Craft Beer and Taco Festival.  Sabroso has quickly become one of my favorite events to attend each year, and I always look forward to attending.  The folks at OC Brew Ha Ha proved once again that they really know how to throw an epic event.  I've been fortunate to attend Sabroso every year that it has been held, you can read my previous recaps here and here.

Goat tacos from Grits Fullerton

Chef Cody Storts drinking out of his award winning tacos trophy

Porko Rico BBQ owners Luis and Heather Flores with their winning trophy

This year's Sabroso had the same elements as in previous years, yummy tacos from local restaurants and food trucks, a great selection of beer, and lucha libre.  This year saw the offerings expand again, just as they did last year.  This year the actual area the fest was held in had more area for attendees to explore, which was awesome to see.  Another new feature for this year's Sabroso was the addition of a free shuttle option after the event ended.  Attendees who chose to arrive using an alternate form of transportation were encouraged to utilize a free shuttle.  I think this is a fantastic way to encourage responsible drinking.

Sabroso was held in the same picturesque location as in the past two years.  I love that although it feels as if you are far away from any major metropolitan area, you actually are not far from major freeways in Orange County.  By having the Sabroso event in a park setting, attendees are able to enjoy their day of drinking, eating tacos, listening to live music and of course cheering on the luchadores.  An upper level, which was expanded this year, is also where the food booths/trucks were located.  

As in the past two years, the mid and lower levels are where the majority of the breweries were pouring beer as well as a stage with live music, along with the wrestling ring.  The breweries that attended Sabroso helped to provide a wide variety of beers which would appeal to a wide range of beer drinkers.  Of course, as in past year's, my favorite part of the Sabroso was the lucha libre.  Tacos, beer, live music, and wrestling, what's not to love?  I can't wait for next year's Sabroso!

3rd Annual Sabroso Craft Beer and Taco Festival

I am so excited that one of my favorite events of the year is nearly upon us!  Since 2014, the masterminds behind OC Brew Ha Ha have put together an epic event which combines amazing beer, tacos, live music, and luchadores!  You can read about my experiences at Sabroso in 2014 and 2015.

This year's third annual Sabroso Craft Beer & Taco Festival will once again be held at the picturesque Lake View Park near Irvine Lake.  I love this venue, because it is close enough to the major freeways in the area, yet far enough out of the way to make it feel as if you are not near a major metro area, like Orange County.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 30th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m..  There will be a wide variety of unlimited tastings of over 100 craft beers as well as the opportunity to purchase $3 gourmet tacos from some of the best chefs and restaurants in Orange County.  The chefs and restaurants will all be competing for the coveted People's Choice awards, so these tacos will not be your average ones.

Just a few of the breweries scheduled to pour delicious beer at this year's Sabroso include:

Noble Ale Works

Bottle Logic Brewing

Founders Brewing Co.

Bootlegger's Brewery

Modern Times

Left Coast Brewing Co.

Taco lovers will be excited to sample $3 tacos from:

Chef Manny Velasco of Sol-Agave

Chef Octavio Montoya of Stadium Brew Co.

Chef Cody Storts of Grits

Along with 2015 Sabroso Grand Champion Taco Master Hop Phan of Dos Chinos Food Truck

Along with beer and tacos, Sabroso also offers great entertainment such as live music and Lucha Libre wrestling.  The wrestling is always one of my favorite parts of the events for me!

A portion of the proceeds from Sabroso will benefit the Big Brothers and Sisters of Orange County and Inland Empire.  As one of the top mentoring organizations in the country, they have changed the lives of thousands of local children each year since 1958.  For more information, visit: https://www.ocbigs.org/.

New for this year's event is that Sabroso is offering free shuttle service from the event to the Tustin Market Place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m..  This service is being offered to help improve the experience for guests who take alternative transportation to the event.  While it isn't a problem to take alternative transportation modes TO the event, afterwards it is very difficult for drivers to pick up guests.  The shuttles will take guests who did not drive to Sabroso to an area where it will be much easier to get a ride from a Lyft, Uber, taxi, etc..

Reserve your seat here!

The shuttle is a free service.  Donations are welcome for the service, 100% of the donations will go to Sabroso's charity partner, the Big Brothers and Sisters of Orange County and Inland Empire.

Tickets for Sabroso are $55 online in advance.  If the event does not sell out prior, tickets will be available at the door the day of the event for $55.  Designated Driver tickets will be available for $20 at the door only and must be accompanied by a paid ticket holder.  No one will be admitted who is under 21 years of age.  

Tickets for this year's Sabroso Craft Beer & Taco Festival are now on sale and can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-sabroso-craft-beer-taco-festival-tickets-21174609828.