The Rise of Craft Beer: 6 Important Trends in Buying Craft Beer

In the U.S., the recent rise of craft beer may seem a bit surprising considering that many consumers are still in cost cutting mode due to the recent recession. However, you could also look at the rise of craft beer through the lens of a famous saying about alcohol sales: “Bars don’t go out of business in bad times”. But, however you choose to view the rise of craft beer, one thing is certain: There are six trends that currently define its impressive sales in the U.S. market.

Some beers seem purposefully designed to make the drinker inebriated. If you’ve spent much time perusing the beer sections of your local grocery stores, you’ve probably seen cheaply priced “tall boys” that have an alcohol content of roughly eight percent. Some high-price craft beers have the same alcohol content, but the alcohol combines with special ingredients to create a mouth watering taste. These crafts brews are meant for savoring and not chugging.

Hops, which are “the flowers (also called seed cones or strobiles) of the hop plant Humulus lupulus” (Wikipedia) have been used in beer making for centuries. In addition to adding an exceptionally dry taste to beer when they are used in copious amounts, hops serve as a natural preservative. Today, india pale ale (IPA) brews are in high demand for their distinctive hops flavor. It’s an obsession that will probably pass. But, right now, the national trend is in full swing.

There are some products for which paying more results in getting more — and craft beer is one of them. Some craft brews retail for less than $10 per six units (i.e., the classic six pack), but you’ll also find four packs that sell for at least $20. Prices at the high end usually apply to beer that has a specialized formulation and is brewed in small batches. This is one reason why it’s common for stores to find the high priced craft concoctions steadily disappearing from shelves.

20 years ago, craft beer lovers often had to visit high-end liquor stores to find a meaningful selection of craft brews. Today, however, buying a nice pack of craft beer is as easy as stopping by the closest quick shop on your way home from work. Most gas stations and department stores don’t offer nearly the same craft brew selection as designer liquor stores, but it’s the convenience of the purchase and not range of products that tends to draw people in.

According to a recent report on the rise of craft beer from Millennial Marketing — a website powered by Futurecast — “The consumers buying alcohol, especially beer, are virtually all Millennials…Over forty percent of these consumers said craft beer just tastes better.” Millennials are now the most populous generation in the U.S., which naturally makes them a prime marketing segment craft brewers.

Packaging for craft beers offers brewers a golden opportunity to distinguish their products from others on store shelves. The main reason why packaging is so important is that there are numerous brands that sell a specific type of brew. So, brewers need a way to make their products pop out from the rest. Working with an experienced provider of beverage packaging resources is often the easiest way for craft brewers to make their packaging work its magic.

Flexo-Graphics is a customer focused provider of product branding and identification solutions. In our over 30 years of experience, we’ve helped numerous beer brewers, wine makers, and other beverage providers implement packaging strategies that help generate an excellent return on investment (ROI). To inquire about our services, please contact us today by calling (262) 790-2740, or fill out the contact form on website. We look forward to hearing from you.