Recent figures show an impressive growth for American craft beer - in America. With total beer consumption declining year after year, it shows clearly this applies only to the larger 'lager'brewers. Small and independent 'craft brewers' show a steady and healthy growth.

The number of breweries continues to grow too: 1 Januari 2010 saw 1542 active craft breweries in The United States versus 1485 a year before. Out of all American breweries, only 43 are not considered a craft brewery!

But there are more telling and impressive numbers. In a year's time, total beer consumption in The States fell from over 247 million hectoliter (almost 6,2 billion glasses) to 241 million (just over 6 billion quart liter glasses). At the same time, volume sold by craft breweries rose over 7% and added up to over 10,3 million hectoliter. Is that impressive?

Well: yes and no. Market share for craft brewers still remains well below 5% and so, out of every 20 pints consumed, one is a flavorful craft beer and 19 are glasses of fluid-vaguely-reminiscent-of-beer. A scarry thought in many ways, don't you agree?

But yet these figures are impressive, especially given the trend: that has been upward for years now. Like in Europe craft beer will likely never beat bland lager as market leader, but the ever growing consumption of flavorful product versus flavorempty is encouraging - to say the least.

In Europe, interest in, respect for and consumption of American craft beer continues to grow too. In line with trends elsewhere the consumer more and more lets quality prevail over quantity. People tend to have 'a couple of lagers less' and have a craft beer instead. Sort of Slow Food, but with beer.

We will continue to support both of you, producer and consumer, by keeping a wide and high-quality assortment available. All you have to do is try, discover and enjoy!