Direct employment in the Irish beer industry was up eight per cent in 2014 compared to the previous year, thanks to ongoing investment and new product development, according to a new report by the Irish Brewers Association (IBA).
The report, Irish Beer 2014, compiled by the representative voice for the brewing industry in Ireland, revealed that beer industry exports are worth over €228 million.
The IBA said that while the production of beer in Ireland for export fell slightly between 2013 and 2014, mainly due to the subdued economic environment, the beer industry 'remains a major success story', with over 700 million litres of beer produced in 2014. In Ireland, 43 per cent of beer produced is exported and it accounts for 19 per cent of all beverage exports.
The craft beer sector continues to grow, making up an estimated 1.2 per cent of the Irish market, with some 40 per cent of microbreweries now exporting.
In the report, the IBA called for the government to support the sector by reducing the excise burden, citing that Ireland has the third highest excise on beer in the EU, which it claims is 11.4 times higher than the excise rate on beer in Germany.
Jonathan McDade, head of the Irish Brewers Association said: "The Irish Brewers Association’s new report highlights the important role that the brewing sector has in supporting the Irish economy. Beer production remains the most important sector within the drinks industry in terms of indigenous manufacturing and providing jobs in major brewing facilities throughout the country.
