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THE NUMBER OF craft breweries in Ireland has grown by more than 500% in the last five years.
There are now 72 production microbreweries in operation, up from just 15 in 2012, according to a recent Bord Bia report.
Cork is leading the way with 10 microbreweries, followed by Dublin with seven and Wicklow and Donegal with five each.
Westmeath is the only county in the Republic of Ireland with no microbrewery, while 10 counties have one each.
The report estimates that there are some 100 microbreweries in total, with around 30 being brand owners that source their product from production microbreweries.
The Bord Bia report found that Irish Craft Beer is performing well. In 2012, the recorded consumption market share was 0.6% but that figure reached 3% this year.
Output from the breweries is growing significantly, from 37,000 HL (100 litres) in 2012 to more than 176,000 HL (100 litres) in 2016.
That’s a growth of almost 475%. The volume of production destined for export is estimated at 22% or 39,000 HL (100 litres).
Employment in the facilities has also exceeded 500 for the first time. The report states, ”At 516, the total number of persons employed is 7.6% up on 2016. Of the total 516 persons employed, 342 represent full time jobs.”
Denise Murphy, Beverage Sector Manager at Bord Bia said, “While it is acknowledged that the Irish craft beer category is still very young and that these levels of growth are from a low base, the growth has been sustained over a number of years and looks set to maintain its upward trajectory.
As the category expands, the importance of export business increases for the sector. Demand for craft beer is rising in most markets around the world, driven by consumer preferences for premium product and artisan production.
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There are hundreds of bakeries scattered across towns and villages all over the country supplying local shops and supermarkets. Imagine the idea of having something similar with micro breweries. Pop into a local pub and get a decent pint of locally brewed beer at a fair price rather than further lining the pockets of a handful of globalised corporations.
@Féach News: I suppose the way it used to be. Getting the locals on board is the problem tho.
@Féach News: Thats practically every pub in germany. The people usually buy the local beer.
@Féach News: proper order. Germany do that and works great
Ba cheart muid rudaí déanta in Éirinn a cheannach agus chur tacaíocht do gnóthaí áitiúil. Maith siad.
We should be supporting things made in Ireland and local businesses! Good on them.
@TheJournalAsGaeilge:
@Rory J Leonard:
Reading a little sentence in the Irish language, with translation in English underneath, is nice . Thanks for that!
@Rory J Leonard: ná habair é!
Don’t mention it!
Before the craft beer revolution it was like we were all drinking instant coffee because we didn’t know any better and it all seemed just fine. It’s hard to go back to Maxwell House now once you’ve grown fond of the Americanos. Same with Budweiser versus a good IPA.
Yellow Belly in Wexford do a great range of beers.
@Hurt Stoogie: yes I went to a beer tasting of theirs recently and was very impressed.
Laois has 2 microbreweries not 1 as stated in the article. Ballykilcavan & 12 acres.
@Robert Cullen: Nah just 12 acres. Ballykilcavan are not yet a production brewery. For now, they brew their beer at another Kildare brewery.
I’m surprised that it all didn’t happen sooner. If anyone else was in the UK in the 70s and 80s they would remember CAMRA. The campaign for real ale which was an counter movement to what was known as eurofizz. It was a battle between small bespoke breweries and their beer and the pubs owned by the breweries hated it. That organisation had more members than the Tory party. It’s all overdue and a great industry for Ireland in years to come. Mind you, Diagio have been trying to circumvent the revolution by fair means and foul. That insulting ad for smithwicks is am example of condescending carp. Real beer is a thing of cultural beauty. Cheers.
I think it’s a great thing for Ireland. I have this notion it will do a lot to improve the toxic Irish drinking culture as it encourages people to choose quality over quantity.
I would say there a few more in the hills of Connemara. Slurp Slurp
You’d have to be on the piss to live in cork!
@John Dman:
You’ve obviously never been
@John Dman: funny
Almost as irritating as food snobs.
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