American Craft Beer Exports On The Rise

Boulder, CO – The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers—today reported export growth for the American craft beer industry in 2013. Based on results from a recently-completed industry survey, craft beer export volume increased by 49 percent in 2013, representing 282,526 barrels and an estimated $73 million.

Canada remained the industry’s largest export market, with shipments increasing 92 percent by volume (up to 131,511 barrels) in 2013. Sweden (15.5 percent) and the United Kingdom (7.9 percent) remained the next two largest markets, with Australia (5.4 percent) and Japan (3.2 percent) following.

In total, shipments to Asia Pacific (non-Japan) increased by 73 percent and accounted for 44,228 barrels. American craft beer exports have increased substantially in the Asia-Pacific region largely due to emerging markets such as Singapore (up 379 percent), Hong Kong (up 150 percent) and Thailand (up 99 percent).

“Exports of American craft beer continue to expand in the international market, reflecting craft brewing’s overall success as an industry. New distribution agreements for U.S breweries throughout Europe and Asia are helping to grow exports,” said Bob Pease, chief operating officer, Brewers Association. “This sustained growth is a testament to the innovation of small and independent American craft brewers and the enthusiasm of beer drinkers internationally. With more beer exported around the world, the challenge now is to ensure that beer quality is preserved in all cases, so consumers are assured a positive experience. This is an area of focus for the Brewers Association and the Export Development Program.”

The BA supports exports through its Export Development Program (EDP) which was initiated in 2004 with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture Market Access Program (USDA MAP). The EDP generates exposure for American craft beer through trade shows, festivals, seminars, media outreach and competitions, among other activities.

“Expanding the footprint of American craft beers internationally is an important goal for small and independent craft brewers. We are thrilled to see the increasing appreciation of and demand for American craft beer in markets outside of the U.S.,” added Eric Wallace, president and co-founder of Left Hand Brewing Company and chair of the BA’s Export Development Program committee. “The EDP will continue to promote American craft beers through its focus on quality and diversity to ensure they flourish abroad over the long term.”

The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup^®, Great American Beer Festival^®, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America^®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience and American Craft Beer Week^®. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.