Iowa-produced craft beers continue surge in popularity

WEBVTT <nat, filling up beer cup> As Iowans say cheers to the new year ... <"MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IS DEFINITELY BARNSTOWN NEON, IT'S A NEW ENGLAND IPA THAT THEY DO EXTREMELY WELL."> The craft beer industry, is raising their glasses, too. <"WE'VE DEFINITELY SEEN AN INCREASE IN SALES AS FAR AS HOW MANY KEGS AND WHATNOT THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH AS FAR AS THE LOCAL CRAFT BEER."> The Iowa Taproom is just one local business that's taking advantage of the craft beer boom. They have dozens on tap, all lined up in a farm silo. <"IN THE LAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS, YOU'VE KIND OF SEEN THAT SHIFT."> That's because they're filling up <nat pop of more filling up cup> what Iowans want more and more of. <"I JUST THINK IT'S ALL THE CRAZY FLAVORS YOU CAN GET. YOU KNOW YOU CAN GET AN IMPERIAL STYLE. YOU CAN GET A SOUR. YOU CAN GET A LAGER. YOU CAN GET ALL THESE DIFFERENT STYLES, AND I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT."> Why are people switching from domestic to craft beer? Just ask the beer guy, whose job is to sample all these brews. <"IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S EASILY IDENTIFIABLE WITH."> Eric Harlow, with the Iowa Taproom, says people of all ages are drawn toward craft beers. <"WE'RE STARTING TO SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE AT A YOUNGER AGE, STILL LEGAL, BUT GETTING INTO CRAFT BEER."> And local doesn't just mean Iowa now, so it's something to be proud of. <"WHEN I GOT INTO THE BEER INDUSTRY, YOU KNOW, TEN OR TWELVE YEARS AGO, LOCAL DID MEAN ALL OF IOWA. NOW, AS WE'VE STARTED TO SEE THE PRODUCTION GROW, IT'S BECOME MORE HYPERLOCALIZE D.

Iowa-made craft beers are continuing to surge in popularity even as general beer sales decline, according to a new report from state alcohol regulators.The amount of such beer sold in Iowa increased 11 percent from fiscal year 2017 to 2018, to nearly 685,000 gallons, according to the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. The new numbers were released this week by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.The market has seen strong growth for the second consecutive year. Iowa breweries enjoyed a 9.7 percent increase from fiscal year 2016 to 2017.“It doesn’t surprise me at all that local craft is doing well,” said Jacob Simmons, a co-founder of Backpocket Brewing in Coralville.The report notes that the craft beer growth happened despite a 2 percent decrease in overall beer sold in the state from fiscal year 2017 to 2018. About 71 million gallons were sold in Iowa in the past fiscal year, which ended June 30.Miller said customers still show a lot of enthusiasm for local craft beers.“Every year, I think it’s going to peak, and every year, it seems to keep on going,” he said.According to the report, total liquor sales totaled about $320 million in fiscal 2018 — up about 4.7 percent from the prior fiscal year and continuing a growth trend since at least fiscal 2013.State data show that the most-sold liquor last year was Black Velvet Canadian whiskey, with nearly 142,000 cases sold in the state. It marked at least the seventh consecutive year that it had been the top seller. Fireball cinnamon whiskey was a close second, with more than 134,000 cases.

DUBUQUE, Iowa —

Iowa-made craft beers are continuing to surge in popularity even as general beer sales decline, according to a new report from state alcohol regulators.

The amount of such beer sold in Iowa increased 11 percent from fiscal year 2017 to 2018, to nearly 685,000 gallons, according to the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. The new numbers were released this week by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

The market has seen strong growth for the second consecutive year. Iowa breweries enjoyed a 9.7 percent increase from fiscal year 2016 to 2017.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all that local craft is doing well,” said Jacob Simmons, a co-founder of Backpocket Brewing in Coralville.

The report notes that the craft beer growth happened despite a 2 percent decrease in overall beer sold in the state from fiscal year 2017 to 2018. About 71 million gallons were sold in Iowa in the past fiscal year, which ended June 30.

Miller said customers still show a lot of enthusiasm for local craft beers.

“Every year, I think it’s going to peak, and every year, it seems to keep on going,” he said.

According to the report, total liquor sales totaled about $320 million in fiscal 2018 — up about 4.7 percent from the prior fiscal year and continuing a growth trend since at least fiscal 2013.

State data show that the most-sold liquor last year was Black Velvet Canadian whiskey, with nearly 142,000 cases sold in the state. It marked at least the seventh consecutive year that it had been the top seller. Fireball cinnamon whiskey was a close second, with more than 134,000 cases.

Iowa-produced craft beers continue surge in popularity

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