Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/197178
s every vintner and cellar hand knows, beer is no stranger to wine cellars around the world. After a long day of bottling, crushing, labeling or serving guests in a tasting room, there's nothing more refreshing than the crisp snap of a cold lager or the funky twang of an India Pale Ale (IPA). It's not surprising, then, that winery owners are beginning to think their guests might feel the same way. At this time only 53 wineries in the United States brew their own beer, but expect this to expand; besides the fact that few winery employees would argue against fresh beer on tap right next door, beer serves wineries in a surprising number of ways. in Boulder, Colo., defines craft beer as small (annual production less than 6 million barrels), independent (less than 25% of the brewery owned or controlled by a non-craft brewer) and traditional (meaning the brewery has either an all-malt flagship or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor). Despite its popularity, craft beer captures only a small percentage of the domestic market. According to the Brewers Association, craft brewing sales' share in 2012 was 6.5% by volume and 10.2% by value. But it's growing; the asso- BEER FOR THE PEOPLE According to an announcement issued by Costco in June 2013, craft beer represents 30% of the retailer's total beer sales. While that's a higher percentage than ever before, that leaves plenty of room to grow in the national craft beer craze. The Brewers Association, based AT A GLANCE + Craft beer continues to grow in the national market. + Winery/breweries offer more options to customers and attract guests who might not normally go wine tasting. + Brewing can be an attractive pursuit for wine industry employees, with similarities to winemaking but more options for creativity and control. + Chief considerations for wineries adding a brewery component are infrastructure and hiring a trained brewmaster. w w w. v w m m e d i a.com N ov - D ec 2013 | V INE YA RD & W INE RY M A N A G EM EN T 79