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About The Redmond spokesman. (Redmond, Crook County, Or.) 1910-current | View Entire Issue (April 26, 2022)
LET’S DRINK TO THAT Report: U.S. craft breweries began to recover in 2021 BY ANDRE MEUNIER The Oregonian U.S. craft breweries last year began a diffi - cult recovery from the severe struggles of the fi rst year of the pandemic, posting 8% growth in volume sales in 2021 compared with a 9% decline in 2020, according to the Brewers As- sociation. Th at performance increased craft brewing’s overall beer market share by volume to 13.1%, an increase from 12.2% in 2020, the association said in its annual report released Tuesday. Th e entire beer market, including large, cor- porate breweries, grew 1% by volume in 2021, but retail dollar value, at $26.9 billion, grew 21% from the previous year. Th e association attributed that diff erence primarily to custom- ers returning to brewpubs, taprooms, bars and restaurants, which provide a higher average re- tail value. Th e news was not all good. Craft brewer- ies still have not returned to the numbers they posted in 2019, and other challenges lie ahead. In 2019, craft breweries made 26.3 million bar- rels of beer, for sales of $29.3 billion. In 2021, they produced 24.8 million barrels, for $26.8 billion in sales. “Craft brewer sales rebounded in 2021, lift ed by the return of draught and at-the-brewery traffi c,” said Bart Watson, the association’s chief economist. “However, the mixed performance across business models and geographies as well as production levels that still lag 2019 suggest that many breweries remain in recovery mode. “Add in continuing supply chain and pricing challenges, and 2022 will be a critical year for many brewers.” Watson did say he anticipates the industry this year will surpass 2019’s performance. “I expect in 2022 we will exceed pre-pan- demic numbers,” he said. Christina LaRue, executive director of the Oregon Brewers Guild, said the report is encour- aging but the industry remains in “recovery mode.” Oregon saw a drop in beer sales of more than 22% in 2020, she said. Th at continued in 2021, when the period from January through May saw a drop of 42%, compared with the same time in 2020. She said recovery has been strained by the clo- sures and dining restrictions in place last year, as well as staffi ng shortages and supply chain issues. Th at said, LaRue remains optimistic. “With our state mandates lift ed and cases as low as they are, we are starting to see more foot traffi c, be it locals or visitors, supporting their favorite pubs and breweries,” LaRue said. Th e association’s report also listed the top 50 craft breweries in the nation, with D. G. Yuen- gling and Son of Pennsylvania holding the top spot, and Boston Beer of Massachusetts, maker An intern walks through the Huppmann brewhouse at the Deschutes Brewery and tasting room on Simpson Avenue in Bend on March 3, 2021. Ryan Brennecke/The Bulletin fi le of the Sam Adams brand, and Sierra Nevada Brewing of California coming at second and third, respectively. Th ree Oregon breweries were in the top 50: Deschutes Brewery of Bend at No. 11, Rogue Ales Brewery of Newport at No. 33 and Ninkasi Brewing of Eugene at No. 40. Th e three breweries represented Oregon in the 2020 top 50 breweries, as well. CENTRAL OREGON’S PREMIER BEDLINER INSTALLERS We Spray: •TRUCK BEDLINERS •TRUCK ACCESSORIES •UTILITY & RECREATIONAL TRAILERS •INDUSTRIAL ABRASION RESISTANCE •NON SLIP COATINGS •AND SO MUCH MORE! 1532 S. Highway 97 Redmond, OR 541-280-5618 REDMOND PROFILES | APRIL 2022 | 13
