Craft on the rise

America's Brewers Association, the voice of the country's craft brewers, says the craft sector continues to outgrow the beer industry overall by a wide margin.

While most US beer volumes increased by 0.9 per cent in 2012, the association says sales of craft beer stormed ahead 15 per cent by volume and 17 per cent by value. This followed growths of 13 per cent volume and 15 per cent value a year earlier.

US craft beer sales, estimated at $10.2 billion in 2012, were about double that of the entire Australian beer market.

The association estimates that in 2012, 409 breweries opened in the US while 43 closed.

They said that 2347 craft breweries operated for all or part of 2012. One of these, the Boston Beer Company, produces around 300 million litres a year, which begs the question of what “craft” means.

Mornington Pale 330ml $4.80

Mornington Brewery gives a tasty twist to the richly malty, uber hoppy American pale ale style. Use of wheat malt sharpens and lightens the palate. And late hopping gives a brisk, hoppy aftertaste in harmony with the medium body. The light, resiny hops flavour lingers without overwhelming the palate.

★★★★ (out of five)

Feral Brewing Raging Flem Belgian IPA 330ml $6.50

Feral Brewing's hybrid draws bits from the English pale ales brewed strong and bitter for the sea voyage to India, and Belgium's strong, fruity ales. Throw in a Swan Valley brewer and floral American hops and you get this potent (7.6 per cent alcohol), opulent hoppy and idiosyncratic brew.

★★★★ (out of five)