The Rise of Craft Beer
The evolution of craft beer has been a fascinating tale. Not too long ago, the world was dominated by a few large scale brewers. In every local shop, you would see the same brands, delivering the same flavors with a subdued level of variety. Then, there was a revolution – the birth of the craft beer industry. Boxes full of diversified flavors, unconventional brewing techniques, individualistic branding – all aiming to deliver an experience beyond just the taste.
Over time, craft beer has brought a significant change into the beer scenario worldwide. Local microbreweries sprouted up, each with their own particular niche and style, and beer-lovers rejoiced. With craft beer, the realm of possibilities seemed endless, the landscape was vibrant and ever-changing and it was a great time to be a beer enthusiast. Small became the new big!
The Current Craft Beer Landscape
Fast forward to the present day. Craft beer has definitely not become old news. You can still find yourself lost in a sea of choices at the local liquor store, with a plethora of different breweries, styles, and flavors all vying for your attention. Breweries are still holding strong, experimenting with bold new recipes and ingredients, and presenting beer lovers with the incomparable variety that the global beer giants simply cannot match.
The craft beer industry is still passionate and innovative, and absolutely more relevant than it ever was. But, here comes the question – has craft beer peaked?
The Flat Line of Growth?
There are some rumors, some statistics, and not to forget some fallacies, that hint at a flat-lining of the craft beer’s meteoritic success. Sales growth, which was double figures year on year, has certainly decreased. In the United States, independent brewers saw just 4% growth in volume in 2018. Yet, is this necessarily a sign of peak craft beer?
Understanding the Real Scenario
Simply put, the slowing growth rate does not spell the end for craft beer, or its peak. The slowing growth is a sign of market saturation and maturity of the industry rather than the beginning of an inevitable decline. And it certainly does not take away from the fact that craft beer, as a portion of the overall beer market, is still increasing. Let’s not forget the exciting part – craft breweries are introducing distinctive new products; the bevy of flavors and styles show no signs of waning. Every pint truly does tell its own tale!
The Power of Choice and Quality
The real charm of craft beer has always been about choice. And with the vast number of craft breweries still operational, that choice remains. Certainly, consumer tastes will shift, and trends will come and go, but the demand for quality, full-flavored beer will not disappear.
Moving Forward
As the landscape matures, what may change is the business model. The industry will become more competitive, and probably, some breweries will disappear. But, that’s what happens in any mature market. Does that mean craft beer has peaked? Absolutely not. It’s not just about volume, it’s about the experience, choice and quality. In reality, it only opens the way to a more sustainable, innovative, and surprising future for the craft beer industry – and that is something to toast to with your next artisanal, hop-infused pint!
