DURANGO, Colo. – Volume sales by independent craft brewers in Colorado climbed 12 percent in 2007, according to the Boulder-based Brewers Association, the trade organization which supports the brewing industry in Colorado. This comes on top of strong growth in each of the prior four years and illustrates the ongoing surge of consumer interest in craft beers.

Locally, this trend was reflected in growth at Steamworks Brewing Co., which posted a 36 percent increase in sales in its wholesale beer business.

“Steamworks is very pleased with the continued increased appreciation of craft beer,” said Kris Oyler, Steamworks CEO. “From the Brewers Association’s statistics, it appears beer from small, independent breweries is in demand and that is certainly positive for the beer industry.”

The Brewers Association estimates that actual dollar sales figures from craft brewers at more than $5.74 billion, up from $4.95 billion in 2006. Sales in barrels equaled 8,011,141 (one barrel equals 31 U.S. gallons), up from 7,147,050 barrels in 2006. The 2007 increase totals 864,091 barrels, which is the equivalent of 11.9 million cases or 285 million 12-ounce bottles of beer.

Steamworks’ barrel production increased 16 percent in 2007, with the combined brewery operations in Bayfield and Durango producing nearly 3,900 barrels. Estimates are for Steamworks to hit 5,000 barrels in 2008.

In addition to the local market, Steamworks now distributes its products throughout four states: Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and is expected to break into four additional states by June 1, 2008.

The Brewers Association annually polls the country’s craft brewers to estimate the total volume of beer sold by brewpubs, microbreweries and regional craft breweries in the United States, and uses scan data to estimate sales. Results show that the U.S. had 1,449 total breweries in operation during 2007, including 1,406 small, independent and traditional craft brewers. Nearly 70 percent of craft breweries are brewpubs that sell most of their beer on-premise.

“Since 2004, dollar sales by craft brewers have increased 58 percent,” said Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association. “The strength of this correlates with the American trend of buying local products, and a preference for more flavorful foods and beers.”

“Craft beer has become a great American success story and U.S. craft brewers are being watched, emulated and celebrated globally,” said Brian McEachron, Steamworks director of marketing and sales. “Craft beer is satisfying the thirst and beer enthusiasm of a continuously growing number of beer drinkers who are seeking flavor, diversity and value.”

A more extensive analysis of the 2007 production numbers will be available from the Brewers Association on April 17 at the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, Calif., and unveiled in the May/June issue of The New Brewer magazine.

Steamworks Brewing Co. – Durango’s “2005 Business of the Year” – is located at 801 E. Second. Ave., Durango (970.259.9200), and 442 Wolverine Drive in Bayfield Center, Bayfield (970.884.7837). Both brewpubs are open from 11 a.m., serving lunch and dinner. 

For further information, visit www.steamworksbrewing.com.