This post begins the fifth year of Beer Business Unplugged and as usual, I will comment on past posts and the industry in general. While this year’s posts did not produce one blog in particular which resulted in an off-the-chart read, the one post that brought in the most responses was, ironically, last weeks’ Remember the Alamo.
I enjoy receiving and reading all the responses as most come directly to me. Those responses that do not come to me are posted to the blog on which the comment which made. The number of subscribers continues to increase, now well in the thousands, and during this coming year, the blog will pass 100,000 reads! In no way did I ever expect results like this. Thank you all!
In the last post of 2015, Just the Kiss of the Hops, we honored Albert Jaenicke, who is the personification of what the yearend post aspires to; that is to honor a longtime retired contributor to the beer industry. This post is usually my favorite of the year to write.
In the first half of 2016, the industry is experiencing what some are calling a graying of the craft segment. While craft volume numbers are slowing, their dollar volume continues to increase. This, in itself, could be a major contributor for the slowing of craft sales.
Number of Breweries and Brewpubs in U.S. 
One wonders, as they review the overall numbers, why this phenomenon is occurring during the first half of the year when interest in the craft segment continues to be very high. In fact, during the winter semester, my class at Portland State had 50 students registered, all highly engaged and most already in the industry in some capacity. A major US brewer even requested to post job openings for their operation on my class webpage.
The industry numbers and the interest in the industry seem to counter each other. The upcoming year will be interesting. The year will include a look at not only the upcoming AB/SABMiller marriage and how it will pan out, but also how said marriage will affect US and global beer sales.
As always, I will continue to write weekly throughout the year. Going forward I will cover industry topics based upon your continued interests. Thank you for all your kind comments and feedback. They are fun and informative. And now, year five beings….
Beer fodder:
National Beer Sales & Production Data – Brewers Association
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