Exports of Irish beer to the United States were valued at €58 million in 2017, making the US the second largest export market for Irish beer after the UK, according to the Irish Brewers Association, which has emphasized the importance of the US market to the Irish beer industry.
Networking Event
The statistics from the IBA arrive in the wake of a networking event in the Embassy of the United States in Ireland at which a number of Irish craft beer producers displayed their products alongside craft beer products from US companies.
The Irish craft beer producers that displayed their products at the event were Boyne Brewhouse, Carlow Brewing Company (O’Hara’s), Galway Hooker Brewery and Porterhouse Brewery.
A "Hugely Important" Market
Head of the Irish Brewers Association Jonathan McDade commented, "As the industry evolves, Irish beer will continue to explore export opportunities in the US market, which remains hugely important. We know that Irish beer products are loved among US consumers for their quality and authenticity. This in turn helps to support Ireland as a tourist destination, with visitors eager to visit our brewery visitor centres or enjoy some great Irish hospitality at our pubs, hotels and venues that serve Irish beer. We’d like the thank the US Embassy in Ireland for giving Irish craft beer producers the opportunity to display their quality products at [the networking] event."
© 2019 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
