Mercury Brewing Company Sales Continue To Soar
Beer & Soda Sales Up 37%
Ipswich, MA – In what has become a true American success story, the craft beer market again grew by double digits in 2007, leading all other segments in the beer category. The Brewers Association reports estimated sales by independent craft brewers up 12 percent by volume and 16 percent in dollars for 2007. Craft brewers share of the beer category is 3.8 percent of production and 5.9 percent of retail sales.
Locally, this trend was reflected in the results of Mercury Brewing Company which posted an increase of 37 percent in beer and soda sales for 2007. 2008 promises to be another great year for Mercury with first quarter sales up 26 percent.
“We’ve been very fortune during this time of exceptional craft beer sales,” said Rob Martin, President and owner of Mercury Brewing Company. “Through the hard work of a dedicated brewery staff we have been able to increase sale by 750 percent since I took ownership in 1999.”
The Brewers Association annually polls the country’s craft brewers to estimate the total volume of beer sold by brewpubs, microbreweries, and regional craft breweries in the United States, and uses scan data to estimate sales. Results show that the U.S. had 1,449 total breweries in operation during 2007, including 1,406 small, independent, and traditional craft brewers.
The Brewers Association estimates the actual dollar sales figures from craft brewers at more than $5.74 billion, up from $4.95 billion in 2006. Sales in barrels equaled 8,011,141 (one barrel is 31 U.S. gallons) up from 7,147,050 barrels in 20062. The 2007 increase totals 864,091 barrels, which is the equivalent of 11.9 million cases or 285 million 12-ounce bottles of beer.
Craft Brewing Industry Definitions
An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional.
Small: Annual production of beer less than 2 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition.
Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer.
Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.
About Mercury Brewing Company:
Located in historic Ipswich, Massachusetts, Mercury Brewing Company emerged in 1999 when Rob Martin, then Director of Operations for Ipswich Brewing Company, purchased the brewery and renamed the company Mercury Brewing and Distribution Company. While continuing production of Ipswich Ale, Martin expanded the company with Stone Cat Ales and Lagers, Mercury Premium Sodas, and numerous contract brewing agreements.
For more statistics visit the updated 2007 Craft Beer Industry Statistics Web page. For more information on Mercury Brewing Company visit: www.mercurybrewing.com.
