More on the Mess of 2020

How about some sobering news for National Beer Day.... Yesterday, the Brewers Association released its 2020 production figures. Beer production for craft breweries is down 9%. That's the first decline for craft beer in the modern era that the BA has reported.

Those production numbers are self-reported, so I suspect the loss is considerably more than 9%. The data from individual state reports (like those issued by the Department of Revenue in Wisconsin) showed craft beer production down by 18%. That is identical to the decline in Oshkosh's 2020 beer production. Nationally, draft sales are down by a full 40%. Meanwhile, there are now 8,764 American craft breweries. That's a record number. I doubt that will be sustainable without a dramatic and swift recovery this year.