Craft Brewers Conference 2012–Stats, Quotes & Awards

Just thought you’d all want to see some of the interesting awards, statistics & quotes from the Craft Brewers Conference 2012.  I will continue to update this thread so be sure to check back AND be sure to tune in Saturday for the World Beer Cup results:

Statistics:

Craft industry up 13% over last year.

70 breweries in US produce less than 100 barrels per year.

Over $8.7Billion worth of craft beer was sold in 2011, representing over 9% of the total beer market in dollar sales

In 2011, seasonal craft beers grew 13% volume growth in & IPAs grew 42%

There are now over 2,000 breweries in the US

In 2011 there were 103,585 US small brewery industry jobs

California has more craft breweries than any other state-261, WA=134, CO=127, OR=121 & MI=102

There are 367 more microbreweries in 2011 than in 2007 for an  87% growth rate.

83 out of 84 regional craft brewing companies increased beer sales in 2011

Total craft brewery openings in 2011= 250 & Closings= 37

174 microbreweries opened in the U.S. last year

There are 1119 U.S. breweries in planning stages (More than 2x 2011)  & 3 million barrels of new capacity in the planning stages

The overall beer industry makes up 1.5% of the national GDP

In 2011, 76 brewpubs opened while 25 closed. The most openings since 2000

There are 30,000 American Hombrewers Association members

Quotes (newest on top):

“We don’t need ads. Our beers are natural and unique parts of our communities.”-Steve Hindy

"I can see a small brewer growing to 6Million barrels but I don’t think 6Million barrels is a small brewer," – Steve Hindy

"We don’t need cider either, but that’s just my opinion." –Steve Hindy

"If your number one concern as a craft brewer isn’t quality, get out right now." — Paul Gatza

”It would be a damn shame if there was a change from a craft brewing community to a craft brewing industry,” – Paul Gatza

New last minute seminar addition to Craft Brewers Conference: "So You’re Opening A 2nd Brewery In North Carolina—Greg Koch

"If you are a packaging brewer you ought to think about how important the brewpubs are to your success," – Paul Gatza

"We are not in a bubble, we are knee deep in foam and the foam is still rising," -Charlie Papazian

"These are historic beer times because of craft beer" – Julia Herz  Craft Beer Program Director

"We need to stand aside and let you brew and grow and make America a beer place for all of us." – Congressman DeFazio 

Peter DeFazio wants to streamline gov’t processes so craft breweries can "grow and make America & the world a better place"

We have come together to form a community. -Sam Calagione

Awards:

2012 F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award Winner…Tom McCormick of the CA Brewers Guild

Brewers Association Russell Scherer Award for Innovation: James Ottolini (St. Louis Brewery, Inc.)

Otto ofSchlafly for the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing