The Brewers Association, the trade association representing the majority of U.S. brewing companies, today released 2010 data on the U.S. craft brewing industry. Barrels produced increased 11 percent and retail sales dollars increased 12 percent over 2009, representing a growth of over 1 million barrels or more than 14 million new craft cases.

The Association also reported a growth in the number of U.S. breweries, with eight percent more breweries than the previous year. In 2010, there were 1,759 operating breweries. Craft brewers produced 9,951,956 barrels, up from an adjusted3 8,934,446 barrels in 2009.

“Prohibition caused a dramatic decline in the number of breweries in the United States, but the number of breweries is now at an all-time high,” added Gatza. “With well over 100 new brewery openings in 2010, plus 618 breweries in planning stages, all signs point to continued growth for the industry.”

In 2010, craft brewers represented 4.9 percent of volume and 7.6 percent of retail dollars of the total U.S. beer category. The Brewers Association estimates the actual dollar sales figures from craft brewers in 2010 was $7.6 billion, up from $7 billion in 2009.

Overall, the U.S. beer industry represented an estimated retail dollar value of $101 billion.
U.S. beer sales were down approximately one percent, or 2 million barrels, in 2010 compared to being down 2.2 percent in 2009. Total beer industry barrels dropped to 203.6 million, down from 205.7 million barrels in 2009.
Imports were up five percent in 2010, compared to being down 9.8 percent in 2009.

Read it all here http://bit.ly/fVbzDz

There are currently 81 brewing companies, operating 113 brewing facilities in 48 cities in Oregon and there are 37 breweries operating in Portland, more than any other city in the world. See all the facts of the Oregon brewing industry at www.oregonbeer.org/facts

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