The Business of Craft Beer

The past few years have been good to fans of craft beer. As microbrews have gained popularity, more and more labels and flavors have found their way to grocery store shelves and bars. Some popular craft beers, such as Goose Island and Shock Top, have been bought out by Anheuser-Busch, but for the most part, craft beers are remaining independent and maintaining their own distinct tastes.

As of 2012, there were 2,403 microbreweries across the US. According to the Brewers Association, that’s the most breweries that have been in operation since the 1880s! Just as each region has unique food, each region now has craft beers that they can claim as their own—Brooklyn Brewery on the East coast, Kalamazoo in the Midwest, New Belgium in the Rockies, and Sierra Nevada in the west. The thousands of small craft breweries out there give us something to get excited about and take regional pride in, as they experiment with new flavors and roll out seasonal beers. All those breweries also give us the opportunity to discover new beers on a regular basis.

Another part of the reason microbreweries have taken off is because craft beer is a social experience for many people. Small breweries offer tours so craft beer fans can see how their beverages are made, and many breweries also have tasting rooms or pubs where locals can gather. Craft beers are frequently available at restaurants, giving people the opportunity to pair beers with complementary food. Some craft breweries are even starting to sell their beer in cans as well as bottles, so that people can take it with them to certain outdoor places like campgrounds and tennis courts that may not allow glass bottles.

The best news for people who love craft beer is that the industry is projected to keep on growing—while 36% of consumers already drink craft beer, 45% say they’re interested in branching out to craft beers. And when there’s more of a demand, there will also be more of a supply. Let’s drink to that.

For even more statistics on the growth of the craft beer industry, check out the infographic from Kendall College below.

Kendall College recently had their hospitality program do a study into craft beer that provides insights into both the growth of the craft beer category as a whole along with food pairing suggestions to go with different types of craft beer.

A Tap Takeover in Kelowna, BC

by Rob Trent

I’m not Irish, nor do I pretend to be on March 17. In fact, I like to stay home on this day rather than support some pseudo-holiday designed to promote the drinking of shitty green beer.

Tree Brewing’s Tap Takeover included the RAW Unfiltered IPA.

Enter Tree Brewing, the Train Station Pub and you have an event that took place on March 17, 2014 in Kelowna, BC that made it worth my time to venture to the pub and enjoy some craft beer.

Tree Brewing took over all ten taps at The Train Station Pub and also brought in a keg of Peat Smoked Red Ale. Taps also included some specialty beers never before served in Kelowna including RAW IPA and Serendipity #8.

The Train Station Pub served up 11 Tree Brewing Beers on March 17, 2014

Tree Brewing opens their Tree Beer Institute later this Spring in the Delta Grand hotel and The Train Station Pub is one of a handful of craft beer hotspots in Kelowna, BC.

Craft Beer Asia Experiences Singapore’s Brewpubs During Beerfest Asia 2013

Our review of Singapore’s Brewpubs from our June Trip to Beerfest Asia representing Craft Beer Asia.

Craft Beer Asia

Craft Beer Asia was privileged to attend Beerfest Asia in June of 2013. While we were not revelling at the festival site, we toured a few of Singapore’s brewpubs who are putting the Craft into Craft Beer and leading the way in Asia.

Brewerkz at Riverside Point was a very North American Style brewpub offering a number of fantastic in-house craft beers and a few guest taps including Singapore’s Jungle Brewing. The large patio was a great spot to people watch and relax on a sultry tropical afternoon. The Double IPA was also very very good!

A short stroll along the boardwalk towards downtown Singapore brings you to Red Dot Brewhouse. Located right on the water at Boat Quay and offering a cozy patio, Red Dot Brewhouse offers up some creative craft beers made right in Singapore. As with Brewerkz, we ordered the taster rack and then went to…

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Smack Dab, Crafting a Better Lakeside Patio Beer Experience in Kelowna, BC

When it comes to sipping BC produced beverages on a patio in the Okanagan, one generally thinks of wine, but not at Smack Dab at Manteo! Smack dab in the middle of BC’s wine country is one of Kelowna’s premier craft beer spots.

Located at Manteo Resort, Smack Dab is a Gastro Pub offering incredibly delicious foods and a set of twelve craft beer taps representing some of BC Interior’s (and other Pacific NW) craft beer offerings.

One of the finest set of craft beer taps in the BC Interior located at Smack Dab Manteo in Kelowna, BC.

Crazy good food and Craft Beer take second stage to Smack Dab’s patio. With 150 seats, the patio is probably the finest lakeside dining experience in the entire province. So get your ass down to Smack Dab, order a craft beer from the likes of Phillip’s Brewing, Crannog Ales, Deschutes, Fernie Brewing, Firehall Brewing, Mt. Begbie, Cannery Brewing, Tin Whistle Brewing, Driftwood or Steamworks. Then, find a perfect spot on the patio and enjoy!

Nowhere better to enjoy craft beer in Kelowna than Smack Dab’s lakeside patio overlooking Okanagan Lake.

And yes, Smack Dab makes fantastic fish tacos (Fish Tacones on the menu). And you all know that there is not a better food item that goes with craft beer than fish tacos!

Enjoy Smack Dab’s Fish Tacos with your Craft Beer on the patio.

Mission Tap House – Crafting a Better Beer Experience in Kelowna, BC

The Craft Beer Revolution is taking hold in the BC Interior, finally. The newest addition to the scene in Kelowna is the Mission Tap House & Grill. With 20 taps of craft beer (well one tap of Sapporo, and 19 taps of craft), this is Kelowna’s new hot spot for craft beer and upscale pub experience.

Located at 3110 Lakeshore Drive, Kelowna, BC. Mission Tap House is Kelowna’s Premier Craft Beer hotspot.

Craft Beer drinkers can also rejoice as their are multiple IPA taps finally. IPA is the style of choice by craft beer geeks. The Mission Tap House currently offers Driftwood Brewing’s Fat Tug IPA (from Victoria, BC) and Lagunitas IPA (from California). Also on tap is Dales Pale Ale form Oskar Blues Brewing which is one of our favorite Pale Ales of all time. Other selections include local selections from Tree Brewing.

Lagunitas IPA and Driftwood Fat Tug IPA are on tap at Kelowna’s Mission Tap House

The Mission Tap House also serves up some great food including Cevice Fish Tacos! We all know that nothing goes better with craft beer than fish tacos and the Tap House offers a unique twist on the fish taco. That’s all that needs to be said, just head over to Lakeshore Drive and sip a craft beer and pair it with a fish taco or other menu item. Cheers!

Stop in for craft beer and try the fish tacos at Kelowna’s Mission Tap House.