ALEXANDRIA , VA – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) - which represents the interests of America’s 2,750 licensed beer distributors - applauds America’s craft breweries for continuing to experience unprecedented growth and making significant contributions to the U.S. economy. According to the Brewers Association (BA), retail sales were up 16 percent in 2007 and dollar sales have increased 58 percent since 2004 for craft brewers.

"No matter how you define it, craft beer is the hot ticket. The rapid growth of the craft beer segment shows just how much American consumers are enjoying a wide variety of styles and flavors that are brewed, distributed and retailed in the U.S.” said NBWA President Craig Purser. "America's beer distributors are proud to serve as the vehicle to market for the exploding craft beer segment to meet the needs of today’s consumers."

Nearly 13,000 brands of beer are available to consumers of legal drinking age across the country. Beer distributors help craft brewers grow and compete by providing the infrastructure small brewers need to reach a wide network of retailers. Distributors deliver beer from a wide variety of brewers - large and small, domestic and international - unlocking the market for new beer brands, small breweries and innovative beverages.

“There is no doubt that America’s 1,400 craft brewers are a vital part of the beer industry in the U.S.,” added Purser. “They provide good jobs, make significant contributions to the economy at the national, state and local levels and provide a tremendous amount of innovation and excitement to the beer industry.”