Craft beer production continues steady growth

Mid-year data released Monday by the Brewer’s Association indicates America’s love affair with craft beer isn’t slowing down.

Production of U.S. craft beer rose by 16 percent during the first half of 2015, down slightly from an 18 percent increase during the same period of 2014. But total craft beer production January through June this year was 12.2 million barrels, up 15 percent from 10.6 million barrels last year.

According to the association, there are currently 3,759 breweries in the U.S., a nearly 23 percent increase from 3,040 in 2014. Another 1,755 are scheduled to open – about as many as the total number of breweries operating in 2011.

The American craft beer industry employs a workforce of about 115,469 full- and part-time employees, many of them in manufacturing, according to the report.

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