The booths of the importers and the craft beer purveyors were all buzzing Monday at the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event.
Beer trend analyst Stephen Beaumont was bullish about craft breweries continuing to demonstrate very strong growth and restaurants increasing profitability through premium beer offerings.
"Consumers that used to be very strongly brand-conscious are trying new things, looking for new products," according to Beaumont.
At the IWSB, it wasn't hard to find them.
The Goose Island Reserve booth featured beers that the Chicago-based craft brewer had been offering in limited batches, but is now releasing in larger quantities to meet with demand as they expand beyond their current 15-state footprint.
"More aromatic, bigger, Belgian style has fit beautifully in restaurants because of high profitability," said Goose Island's Michael Bell. The suggested food pairings with their specialty brands made us both very hungry and very ready for that 5 o'clock whistle, but Bell wasn't ready for the day to be over quite so soon. "We haven't had a dead moment since we opened."
New Belgium Brewery's Jon Olson was enthusiastic as well. "We're meeting a lot of folks we wouldn't normally meet. The most common question is when are you coming to our state." New Belgium, whose sustainably-built wind-powered brewery is a first in North America, were too busy to toot their own horn about that, but with the National Restaurant Association launching its Conserve Initiative today, we couldn't help but note it.
There are many more craft/artisan brewers, along with other beers, cider, and of course wine and spirits, at the IWSB. Register for the event and check it out from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.
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