Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens ~ Liberty Station is now open.
Located at:  2816 Historic Decatur Rd #116‎
                         San Diego, CA 92106

Previously a U.S. Navy mess hall, the restaurant features the use of metal, concrete, reclaimed wood and other organic materials. Enjoy indoor and outdoor dining, bars, bocce ball, gardens and outdoor cinema space.
And the bar features 40 taps of craft beer.
Visit Stone’s website for more details here.

18th Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza
August 1 – 4th, 2013
Mammoth Lakes, California

Tickets, Event schedule, Breweries and more here

This is a major CCBA fundraiser!

Craft breweries and brewpubs in San Diego generated a $299.5 million economic impact in 2011, according to a new study published today by the National University System Institute for Policy Research (NUSIPR).

Craft brewing has been one of San Diego’s fastest growing business sectors. Since 2011, the total number of craft breweries in the region has more than doubled. While San Diego has attracted wide public interest and industry acclaim for its craft beer, little is known about its impact on the economy. To further study this issue, the National University System Institute for Policy Research (NUSIPR) evaluated industry labor data and measured its economic effects within the region.

Overall, we found that:

• Craft breweries have a significant regional economic impact. In 2011, brewers and brew pubs generated a $299.5 million direct economic impact in San Diego County.

• The economic contribution of craft brewers is more than 1 ½ times greater than the economic impact of Comic-Con International, San Diego’s largest annual convention. NUSIPR also found that the industry made $680.8 million in sales, and employed 1,630 workers in 2011.

• San Diego’s craft brewing community is growing rapidly. More than half of the brewery licenses in the region have been issued since 2011. Larger, more established brewers are also expanding and adding new locations. Given that expansion, when 2012 figures are released we expect to find an even larger economic impact.

• Brewery tourism is an important part of San Diego’s visitor industry. Unlike seasonal attractions, brewery tourism occurs year-round, and most of the major industry events in the region occur during non-peak visitor months.

“San Diego’s craft brewing industry is a major economic driver in the region,” remarked NUSIPR Senior Policy Analyst Vince Vasquez, whom authored of the study. “That said, more partnerships and investment will be needed to advance industry development long-term. Competitor markets are also experiencing similar growth and interest in new brewpubs and breweries.”

Discretion Brewing located in Soquel, has opened their doors for business. Discretion Brewing is a family-owned company dedicated to producing handcrafted organic beer of consistent high quality.
Congratulations CCBA Member!

The Brewers Association released their annual list of the top 50 breweries in the U.S based on beer sales volume.
Craft beer surpassed six percent of the total U.S. beer market in 2012, with volume and dollar sales reaching record levels.
See full press release here

 The Brewers Association released preliminary data today for 2012 growth on U.S. craft beer. The growth numbers are stronger than anticipated, with a 15% rise in volume and 17 percent increase in dollar growth representing a total barrel increase of almost 1.8 million.

The total U.S. beer market grew by one percent. Craft brewers reached 6.5 percent volume of the total U.S. beer market, up from 5.7 percent the previous year.

 “Beer is a $99 billion industry to which craft brewers are making a significant contribution, with retail sales share hitting double digits for the first time in 2012,” said Paul Gatza, director, Brewers Association. “Small and independent brewers are consistently innovating and producing high quality, flavor-forward craft brewed beer. Americans are not only responding to greater access to these products, but also to the stories and people behind them.”

A more extensive analysis will be released during the Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 26-29. 

Read Full Press Release here