Stephen Carter King’s Post

To put a finer point on Fox News' observations: 1) NA beer has come a long way, and tastes a great deal more like traditional beer now than it did as recently as ten or twelve years ago, but the growth of the NA market will depend on continued innovation and investment in R&D. 2) Women are trendsetters, and their early support of the new wave of craft NA beers almost certainly augers an as-yet-unrealized growth in demand among men as well. 3) Young people are the future, and the craft brewing community should take note of what their spending habits tell us. Just as the first wave of growth in the craft beer market was driven by an earlier generation's demand for hoppier, more flavorful beer with a higher ABV than what was then being produced by the "big three", this generation of craft beer drinkers is looking for low-alcohol or non-alcoholic versions of the many flavors and styles of beer not available in mass-produced NA form. 4) Athletic is the only craft brewery on Fox's list, and the only one producing an IPA. This speaks to the massive growth potential of the craft segment of the NA market, even as the rest of the craft beer industry stagnates. 5) It's time for craft NA brewers to seize the day!

Beer people, what is happening? Hazy IPA is the perfect beer ... for brewers. The key is the dry hopping, which involves adding hops to wort that has already been fermented. Dry hopping adds "aroma and tropical flavors without bitterness," notes Gear Patrol. Sounds great, but those "flavors fall off so quickly that wide distribution is logistically difficult and brewers must urge drinkers to consume the beer immediately to preserve freshness," Gear Patrol explains. This is very convenient for the breweries, according to the article, "as a beer can be canned the night before a huge release and sell out the following morning." Sounds like not much commitment for beer sellers but a rather large effort for beer buyers, who have to keep up with these releases and then be ready to go out and buy the very special brew on the right day. Sounds a lot like new iPhone day at the Apple store. But wait! There's more! “Needing to get beers out quick is never a good thing for beer quality, but when you don’t have to properly finish a beer that becomes attractive to a brand new brewery that needs cash flow,” says Jeff Bagby, who was director of brewery operations at Pizza Port Brewing Company. Stop making it easy on brewers. Drink difficult beer.

Despite the proliferation of lesser-known beer styles, the IPA remains the king of craft. Reports estimate … … its hold on the craft-beer market at around 26% — more than any other craft beer style. However, the regional, small-batch beers that first put the IPA on the map — ya know, your Pliny the Youngers and Heady Toppers, remain totally inaccessible to beer drinkers unwilling to traverse the country or trade rare suds on the dark net. Or Reddit 🥴 The good news is that you no longer have to. Especially, if it’s simply a tasty IPA you’re after. Beer distribution improves every year, and grocery stores around country are now stocking IPAs that would impress EVEN the most snobbish among us. Don’t look at me 😶 Here are more than a dozen favorites you can find pretty much anywhere. Well, almost anywhere. “The best beers are ones we drink with friends.” — Stephen Carter King Source: Gear Patrol #Beer #CraftBeer #NonAlcoholicBeer #Cider #GroceryStores #Pubs #Taprooms #Brewpubs #ConsumerBehavior #EmergingTrends #BrandAwareness #BusinessIntelligence ✦✦✦ Stephen Carter King Chief of Growth and Marketing and Strategy • Beer Market Analyst • Beerconomy & Co. CEO • Thought Catalyst • Advisor • Sherpa • Speaker • sharing beer market trends, data and forecasts, insights and news and media via The Beerconomist

🍺 The Dutch craft beer market is at its pivotal point, impacted by regulatory changes and driven by market maturation. 🇳🇱 The alcohol excise duty increase in January 2024 may seem minor, with the government reporting just an 8% sales drop near the border compared to 6% elsewhere, but brewers would like to argue that this 33% greater decline is substantial enough to affect brewers bottom line. 📉 Many conclusions could be drawn from the latest Nederlandse Brouwers message but for the numbers to make sense, it is important to consider current state of the craft beer market.   As the market matures, consumer preferences are also shifting. After reading Mr Gerard Molenaar recent blog posts, I can state that craft beer drinkers are increasingly prioritizing quality and experience over price. 🏆 Customers are now seeking out beers that deliver unique flavors, authenticity, and a story behind the product, consistently. These trends signal a shift in how consumers view craft beer—not just as a commodity, but as a premium experience worth investing in. 🍻✨    In these blog posts you can hear opinion leaders, Mr Frank van Urk and Mr Rick Kempen observing that the days of wild experimentation have given way to a focus on sustainability of the brewing business and consistency of beer. 🌱 Leading venues like Speciaalbier Café de Markies, Proeflokaal MOUT, and Cafe Herberg de Koppelpaarden show that when quality is prioritized, customers are willing to pay for a superior experience. The owners of those bars applied smart business strategies and are standing guard for their customer experience.   The craft beer market is facing two major forces for change: regulatory shifts and evolving consumer expectations. Breweries that implement robust Quality Management processes and adapt to these trends will emerge as leaders in the future. 🌟 As the market evolves, it’s clear that collaboration, quality, and innovation are key to thriving in these exciting but turbulent times. 🍺🤝   #DutchCraftBeer #QualityOverPrice #ExciseDuty #BorderEffects #CraftBeer #Sustainability #BeerIndustry #Collaboration #QualityManagement #CustomerTrends

Craft beer continues to rise despite changing trends among young drinkers 🍻 Recent findings from a YouGov survey, commissioned by SIBA, The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates for its 2024 Craft Beer Report, reveal a shift in beverage preferences among younger consumers. While only 30% of 18-24-year-olds report drinking beer, the demand for local and craft beers remains strong and is on an upward trend. Here's what stands out: - Overall, 49% of consumers said they drink beer, yet this figure dips to just 30% among the 18-24 age group, who tend to favour spirits, wine, and cider. - Despite these challenging numbers, there's a silver lining for craft beer enthusiasts. Over 55% of beer drinkers now choose local craft beer, matching the popularity of global lagers and marking an increase from 47% last year. - SIBA members have also reported a 14% increase in production volumes over the last year, highlighting robust demand for locally, independently brewed beer in the UK. While the beer industry faces financial pressures, the craft beer segment shines, showing a shift towards quality and experience over quantity. This trend suggests that while traditional beer might be losing ground among younger drinkers, there is a growing appreciation for premium craft beers. Craft beer is not just surviving; it’s thriving, reflecting a broader movement towards mindful consumption and quality experiences. #BeerTrends #SIBA 

Craft beer was built on many of the same principles as modernist America; Craft beer in 2024 is a postmodern rejection of this — and the proof is in the liquid. As craft beer’s punk spirit grew and formalized into a major industry, it created its own rules, its own modernist period prompting today’s fresh dismantling. In this thought provoking piece from PunchDrink [dot com] … A growing group of “postmodern” beers are challenging established style guidelines in favor of brewing for flavor, and mood, first. Now, in a move akin to Empirical’s in spirits, brewers aim for flavors, experiences and vibes to engage consumers driven by those things. “If we’re going to save beer, we need to re-market it,” says Stillwater Artisnal founder Brian Strumke. “A lot of the younger generation, they don’t know what a kölsch is. I don’t think they’re going down the same rabbit hole we did a decade ago … If you can get the younger generation into beer, that’s cool, but they’re NOT going to go study for their Cicerone [certification] after having their first ‘aha!’ moment drinking it.” This piece is really good, and there soooo much more … “The best beers are ones we drink with friends.” — Stephen Carter King Source: PunchDrink [dot com] • The Beerconomist #ConsumerBehavior #EmergingTrends #BrandAwareness #BusinessIntelligence #Microbreweries #Pubs #Taprooms #Brewpubs #Beer #CraftBeer #NonAlcoholicBeer #Cider #RTD ✦✦✦ Stephen Carter King Chief of Growth and Marketing and Strategy • Beer Market Analyst • Beerconomy & Co. CEO • Thought Catalyst • Sherpa • Advisor • Speaker sharing beer market trends, insights, forecasts, and news via The Beerconomist

Hazy IPA is ubiquitous and widely enjoyed, and it is here to stay. But as hazy IPA becomes commodified, these beers must have a point of view—a fingerprint that marks them as different from the sea of other (often less expensive) options that crowd the shelves and bar menus. For Craft Beer & Brewing, I explore how brewers are making technical and creative choices that give their hazy IPAs a signature.

Fort Wayne Brewers: Balancing Buzz and Tradition in the Craft Beer Craze Fort Wayne’s craft beer scene is thriving, and brewers are constantly pushing the boundaries of flavor and innovation. But with a crowded marketplace and ever-evolving customer preferences, how do you strike the balance between brewing outrageous, buzz-worthy beers and staying true to established styles? This is a question that every brewer grapples with. On one hand, there’s the allure of creating unique, boundary-pushing beers that grab headlines and social media buzz. These “unicorns” can generate excitement and attract new customers, propelling your brewery to the forefront of the craft beer conversation. However, there’s also a loyal customer base that appreciates tradition and consistency. Brewers who brew clean, well-executed versions of classic styles – think IPAs, stouts, pilsners – cultivate a dedicated following and build a strong reputation for quality. So, how do you find the sweet spot? Here are some tips for Fort Wayne brewers: Know your audience: Understanding your core customer base is crucial. Conduct surveys, host focus groups, and engage with your regulars to understand their preferences. This will help you tailor your offerings to their tastes while still leaving room for experimentation. Embrace seasonality: Seasonal beers are a great way to showcase your brewing skills and cater to changing customer preferences. Experiment with fresh, seasonal ingredients like local fruits and spices to create unique yet approachable beers that resonate with your customers. Offer a core lineup: Having a selection of core beers that are consistently available builds trust and encourages repeat business. These beers don’t have to be basic, but they should be well-crafted representations of popular styles. Limited releases: Limited edition or small-batch releases can be a great way to test out new and innovative ideas without alienating your core audience. These “unicorn” beers can generate excitement and attract new customers who are eager to try something unique. Collaboration is key: Partnering with other Fort Wayne breweries on special projects is a fantastic way to cross-promote each other’s brands, tap into new customer bases, and push the creative boundaries while still staying true to your individual identities. Ultimately, the key is to find a balance. By understanding your audience, embracing seasonality, offering a core lineup, and strategically introducing limited releases, Fort Wayne brewers can cater to both the thrill-seeking beer enthusiasts and the traditionalists, ensuring long-term success in the ever-evolving craft beer landscape. Cheers to the Fort Wayne brewing community! The post Fort Wayne Brewers: Balancing Buzz and Tradition in the Craft Beer Craze appeared first on CampHouse Marketing.

15 years ago, I co-founded a craft beer franchise in Vulcan Alberta and we signed the first multi-year craft beer licensing agreement with CBS Consumer Products... The concept of "Star Trek Beer for ALE-iens in the Alpha Quadrant" taps into a niche but passionate area where science fiction meets craft brewing. Here's a detailed overview based on available information: Official Star Trek Beers The Federation of Beer brewed collaborations with Shmaltz Brewing in NY York, Harvest Moon in MT, Garrison Brewing in NS and Tin Man Brewing in IN. The Golden Anniversary Ale celebrated the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, which was described as having a hoppy, citrus flavor. This was part of a series that included "The Trouble With Tribbles." These beers were intended to celebrate the show's milestone and provide fans with a unique drinking experience. Vulcan Ale was Shmaltz Brewing's take on the original Red Ale brewed by Federation of Beer for Spock Days & Vul-Con. The red session IPA was called "The Genesis Effect." Federation of Beer, based in Vulcan, Alberta (Canada's official Star Trek capital), entered a 5 yr Mission to brew themed beers like "Vulcan Ale," aligning with the town's annual Spock Days festival. The vision continues. The 4th 5 year Mission will Renew in 2026 to continue to unite fans of Star Trek and craft beer. Romulan Ale, which, although fictional, has inspired real-life products like a blue lager-style beer sold at the Las Vegas Star Trek Experience was brewed in Central America. . In the series, Romulan Ale is noted for its strong intoxicating effects and was illegal in the Federation for a period. Klingon Warnog, a Dunkelweizen style beer with rye, was introduced by Tin Man Brewing Company in partnership with the Federation of Beer, offering a taste profile that might not align perfectly with traditional Klingon preferences but is still themed to appeal to fans. Garrison Brewing released an Episode for Halcon in 2015. Fan and Cultural Impact The integration of Star Trek into beer culture shows through fan discussions and posts on social platforms like X, where enthusiasts share their excitement about themed brews, highlighting the crossover appeal between sci-fi fandom and craft beer culture. In fact, Vulcan Ale & Klingon Warnog were featured on #SNL & appeared in Sheldon's Fridge that year. These beers not only serve as collectibles but also as a form of celebration for the vast and varied universe of Star Trek, bringing fans together in a unique way. Conclusion The creation of Star Trek-themed beers illustrates how the franchise has permeated into various aspects of popular culture, including the beverage industry. These beers cater to the "ALE-iens" of the Alpha Quadrant (a playful term for fans), offering them a tangible piece of the Star Trek universe they can enjoy in their daily lives. The releases are limited editions, making them somewhat exclusive and highly sought after by collectors and fans alike.

What are the essential craft beer equipment?: Craft beer is becoming more and more popular among consumers. So, what is craft beer equipment? Simply put, craft beer equipment refers to equipment used to produce high-quality, small-batch beer. Common craft beer equipment: 1. Yogurt barrel Yogurt barrel is the primary … Continue reading → #ManufacturingIndustry #MarketingSales #US #WebsiteBlog #World