Craft Beer Makes Census
Craft Beer Makes Census
On Thursday the US Census Bureau posted a sector report on the American craft beer industry that’s full of interesting stuff. And according the agency’s most recent available data (2012-2016) the beer biz has been on a roll.
Here are some of the report’s highlights…but keep in mind this data captures craft beer’s headier years, and doesn’t take in to account 2017 or 2018 where maket conditions have slowed).
The Brewery Boom Has Led To Job Growth
According to US Census sector report brewery growth throughout the 2012/2016 period has led to considerable job growth.
More than 55,000 jobs were created over that five year period with an estimated annual payroll of $2.6 billion.
As you can see from the Census Bureau’s nifty infographic the total number of breweries more than tripled in that five-year period
Number Of Breweries Grew In All 50 States
According to that US Census sector report not a single state saw a decline in the overall number of breweries between 2012 and 2016.
Keep in mind the “breweries per state” numbers would be markedly different (on the positive side) had their data been up to date.
- California – 368 breweries
- Colorado – 204 breweries
- Washington – 162 breweries
- New York – 152 breweries
- North Carolina – 129 breweries
Most Brewery Growth By County
- San Diego County, Calif. (73 breweries, up 306%).
- King County, Wash. (53 breweries, up 165%).
- Angeles County, Calif. (51 breweries, up 467%).
- Cook County, Ill. (40 breweries, up 344%).
- Denver County, Colo. (39 breweries, up 388%).
Undfortunately there’s no escaping that the report’s findings feel dated, especially in light of American beers slowing growth.
And as fun as the findings are to chew on…they capture a five year period when craft beer was on fire and showing the kind of double-digit growth that some analysts suggest the industry may never see again.
On May 1st the agency began collecting business data for its 2017 Economic Census but you’re going to have to wait till early 2019 to get your hands on that one.
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