Craft beer is a growing business in the United States. At present, there are more breweries/brewpubs than at any time in the nation’s history and the numbers continue to climb with each passing week. How does one celebrate an industry that keeps growing in size and influence? One way is to partake in American Craft Beer Week, a full week of events, education, and other things that celebrate the craft beer industry and its impact on business and culture.
What is American Craft Beer Week?
American Craft Beer Week is an annual event that has expanded tremendously since its founding. The event can be traced back to 2006 when the Brewer’s Association celebrated American Beer Month in July. The event was rescheduled to take place in May and was changed to a weeklong effort rather than a month in order to focus more intensely on the American craft beer industry.
Today, American Craft Beer Week is considered the most important week of the year for the industry and the timeline below, taken from Craftbeer.com, shows just how much this weeklong event has grown in participation over the years:
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2006: 124 breweries
hosted events -
2007: 150 breweries
hosted events -
2008: 168 breweries
hosted events -
2009: 212 breweries
hosted more than 500 events -
2010: 341 breweries
hosted 621 events with recognition at multiple retailers in 45 states. -
2011: 1,521 events
posted to the official ACBW calendar in 50 states. -
2012: 1,368 events
posted to the official ACBW calendar in 50 states.
What Events are Scheduled?
American Craft Beer Week is scheduled this week for May 13 through May 19. Events are taking place across the United States on multiple levels. Some breweries go all- out this week, with special tappings, pint nights, contests, and more. Home brew clubs, brewpubs, distribution centers, taverns, restaurants, and anyplace else associated with craft beer are free to join the celebration.
How Can I Get Involved?
To find American Craft Beer Week events in your area, visit the web sites and Facebook or Twitter pages for your local breweries, brewpubs, beer clubs, etc. Events are usually updated in these sites on a regular basis. Another good way to find a wide variety of scheduled events is to visit Craftbeer.com, follow the links to American Craft Beer Week, and then search for events in your state.
America’s craft beer industry is large, strong, and gaining in influence. It has impacted both business and culture and it continues to change the way America drinks. American Craft Beer Week is all about celebrating the people and places that make craft beer such an important part of the adult beverage business. Find an event near you and raise a pint in celebration to the folks who help bring the delicious taste of hand- crafted beer to your home and your favorite tavern/restaurant each day.
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