Whether they are going out on the town with friends and family or sipping it at home, Americans enjoy their beer and wine. Over the years, the number of microbreweries and wineries in operation has increased. So, too, has the popularity of these beverages.
The Growth of Craftbeers
There are quite a few breweries in operation throughout the United States. It’s interesting to note, that 99% of these are small, independent operations. In addition to contract brewing companies, there are other market segments:
- Microbreweries: 2,937
- Brewpubs: 1,650
- Regional craft breweries: 178
Microbreweries, for example, produce fewer than 15,000 barrels, or 17,600 hectoliters, of beer every year. A significant portion of this beer is sold to stores, restaurants, pubs, and similar customers rather than being sold on-site. This amounts to about 75% or more of what a microbrewery produces.
During 2015, the United States saw more breweries in operation. This industry experienced a growth of 15% with a total of 4,269 breweries. Craft brewers produced 24.5 million barrels of beer throughout this year alone. Currently, 12% of the beer industry’s overall market share is represented by small and independent craft brewers.
Brewpubs are popular throughout the country. Being able to obtain growler fills at these locations is a significant plus. In addition to being environmentally-friendly, growler fills are a popular way for customers to be able to purchase their favorite microbrews to take home.
The Growth of Wineries
All 50 states have wineries, and there are more than 7,700 operating throughout the country. The Wine Institute reports that Americans are actually drinking more wine than they did about 2 decades ago. In 1993, a person just drank about 1.74 gallons. By 2013, however, this amount rose to 2.82 gallons. As a result, the United States is considered to be the largest wine consumer. According to Impact Databank, 329 million cases were sold in 2013.
The Millennial age group is responsible for drinking more wine that Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. In fact, during 2015, this age group consumed 42% of the wine sold throughout the country. This amounted to 159.6 million cases!
When it comes to how many glasses Oenophiles enjoy imbibing at a time, they average the following number:
- Millennials: 3.1 glasses
- Gen Xers: 2.4 glasses
- Baby Boomers: 1.9 glasses
Nielsen scan data from 2014 showed that red wine is a preference for many Americans. Whether they prefer red wine or white, these are the most popular varietals:
- Chardonnay
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Grigio
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
Learning More About Different Types of Beer and Wine
When Americans want to know more about the the different types of beer and wine that are available, they usually visit their local liquor store, specialty market, or a wine and beer pub. These establishments usually have a few experts on staff to provide detailed information on these beverages. Exploring new craft beer flavors in growler fills and experiencing a flight of wines is a popular leisure activity for Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers.