I'm pretty sure this means craft beer is winning.

The Brewers Association, a "trade association for small and independent American brewers" (from the press release below), released some very good news for the beer industry as whole.

It is no secret that breweries have sprouted up at massive rates since craft beers have penetrated more and more of the beer market. In fact, the number of United States breweries has more than doubled since 2011, and the Brewers Association announced the U.S. has reached an all-time high of 4,144 breweries, beating the previous record of 4,131 set in 1873! Breweries open at a current rate of more than 2 per day, and 15 different states have more than 100 breweries. All of this is particularly notable, considering that the beer industry bottomed out just 40 years ago, with a mere 50 breweries nationwide!

I am glad to see the craft beer boom continue, and feel that most can survive so long as the quality remains high, as so many have done.

 

More info: Press release from the Brewers Association.