Brewers Association: Offering a Helping Hand to UK Breweries

Bob_Pease_BA

American craft brewers are represented by the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent brewers that exists to promote and protect American craft brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts in the USA.

Craft beer sales in the States account for 11% by sales volume and are expected to reach 20% by 2020 with no sign of abating. While the craft beer sector in the UK may be some way off this figure, it is growing rapidly with potential for more expansion. 

Nor is the popularity of American craft beer confined to the States as the latest export figures show a global rise of  35.7%  in 2014 with the UK accounting for a 10.7% share (up from 7.9% in 2013) making it the third largest export market behind Canada and Sweden.  There are 4,000 craft breweries operating in the USA with 1,755 in planning, up from approximately 700 this time last year.

Quality product

The reputation and success of the craft brewer, and indeed of the industry as a whole, depends on the ability to consistently deliver a quality product that satisfies the beer drinker.   Most craft beer is not pasteurised making it highly perishable.  

One of the biggest challenges that we face in exporting craft beer is the lack of cold-chain infrastructure.   Temperature fluctuations, sunlight, oxygen levels and time are all enemies of craft beer.   We look to work collaboratively with our brewers to capture and harness their energy and expertise to deliver quality craft beer to a global audience in the best possible condition.

The BA’s Export Development Program helps match breweries with importers and distributors to ensure the beer is always in the right condition when it crosses the Atlantic.  The supply chain needs to be a unified and coherent partnership –brewer, distributor or importer, wholesaler, retailer and finally barstaff all need be singing from the same songsheet.

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