American craft brewers headline worldwide beer events

Remember last year’s impressive craft beer export numbers? It’s clear that craft brewing is big all over the world. This summer, beer lovers in the United States won’t be the only ones beating the heat with offerings from small and independent brewers this summer. Through the efforts of the Brewers Association (BA) Export Development Program (EDP), American craft brewers will have a significant presence at a number of international beer events. Included in the summer schedule are festivals and conventions in Brazil, Germany and Great Britain. The BA will also be represented at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.

“Global demand for American craft beer is at an all-time high, as evidenced by small and independent brewers in the U.S. exporting their products to new markets around the world at a growing rate,” said Bob Pease, chief operating officer for the Brewers Association. “The full slate of international beer events this summer provides an opportunity for our EDP members to broaden exposure for their products while reinforcing the Brewers Association’s role in craft beer education and promotion.”

From June 25 through 27, the BA EDP will participate at Brasil Brau, the largest beer industry event in Brazil. In addition to exhibiting, the EDP will oversee seminars on American craft beer with leading sommelier associations in Sao Paulo. To round out the event, American craft beer will be promoted at bars and restaurants throughout the city. American craft beer export volume to Brazil increased 150 percent in 2012 over 2011, representing one of the U.S.’s strongest beer export markets.

From June 30 through July 2, American craft brewers will have a significant presence at the Summer Fancy Food Show, with 10 of its members exhibiting in the event’s American craft brewer pavilion. The show, which hosts exhibitors and products from over 50 countries, represents a valuable opportunity for American craft brewers to gain domestic and international exposure.

In August, EDP members will also be represented at the International Berlin Beer Festival and Great British Beer Festival (GBBF). The Berlin event marks the EDP’s first foray into the German market. An assortment of American craft beers will be displayed in a U.S. craft brewer pavilion, giving consumers an opportunity to sample a wide range of products, most of which they are not yet able to obtain locally. At GBBF, American craft beers will be featured in the “Bières Sans Frontières — USA and Rest of World” section.

To round out the summer, the EDP returns to Germany in September for Drinktec, one of the world’s leading trade shows for the beverage industry and site of the prestigious European Beer Star awards. The BA will host a booth at Drinktec showcasing the World Beer Cup and American craft brewers. At last year’s European Beer Star awards, 21 American craft breweries took home 35 awards across 22 different categories.

In 2012, craft beer export volume increased by 72 percent valued at an estimated $49.1 million.