Record-Breaking Number Of Craft Breweries In California

The California Craft Brewers Association just released their annual report on the impact of the craft beer in the state and we’ve got to admit the numbers were impressive…

And we’ve some of the CCBA’s highlights…

The craft beer industry has tripled over the last five years, up from 300 breweries in 2012 to just over 900 breweries in operation today

California is now home to more craft breweries than any state in the nation, with nearly 92 percent of the state’s 39.5 million residents living within 10 miles of a brewery.

California’s craft breweries produced an amazing 3,295,221 barrels of beer in 2016. And its breweries exported 1.17 million barrels, which is greater than the total craft production in all but five states in the nation!

According to the association’s report, the total economic impact of craft breweries in California exceeds $7.3 billion, (a figure derived from the total impact of beer brewed by craft brewers as it moves from breweries to distributors to retailers as well as non-beer merchandize sold at breweries and tasting rooms).

And the number of licensed breweries grew by more than 100 in the last year – that’s more than any state in the country and an increase that was greater than the total licensed number of breweries in 34 states.

Additionally…

Californian craft breweries supported almost 50,000 full-time jobs with an average wage of $55,000 a year. Those same breweries paid $1.49 billion in taxes in 2016 ($868 million in state and local taxes and $617 million in federal taxes).

And according to the CCBA Executive Director, Tom McCormick craft beer’s economic impact touches many…

 “The positive impact of craft breweries on the state of California goes far beyond just the benefits of tax revenue, manufacturing jobs and tourism…

Craft breweries also have a tangible influence on the growth and development of their region, investing in their community, employing their neighbors and supporting local nonprofits.

Craft breweries are the living room, the town hall and the gathering place for their community.”