US craft brewers are "more than on target" to have doubled exports to the UK by the end of the year, following a concerted push to win more listings in UK supermarkets.
Sales to the UK were worth $1.3m (£767,000) in 2008 and were up 90% in volume on 2007, according to the US Brewers Association. Vice president Bob Pease predicted that total sales growth for 2009 was already on course to outstrip that of last year.
The forecast was made this week as beer buyers from retailers such as Tesco and Sainsbury's were courted by a delegation of US industry representatives at a conference in West London as part of the Great British Beer Festival.
The USBA is using the festival to raise the profile of US craft beer in Britain and has collaborated with UK-based beer importer Vertical Drinks to showcase 21 different beer brands from seven American brewers that have yet to secure formal UK distribution.
"Whether from the UK, the US or elsewhere, craft brewing is the heart and soul of beer. When they go to the supermarket, British beer drinkers deserve choice, variety and the opportunity to drink great beer," said Pease.
Vertical Drinks sales and export manager Andreas Falt added: "We want to remind consumers that not all US beer tastes like Budweiser."
Tesco had arranged listings for two beers from the Flying Dog Brewery in Maryland, from mid-August, said its world beer buyer Helen Greenfield.
"US craft beer has potential for growth in the UK because the breweries are producing some challenging and interesting products."
Sales to the UK were worth $1.3m (£767,000) in 2008 and were up 90% in volume on 2007, according to the US Brewers Association. Vice president Bob Pease predicted that total sales growth for 2009 was already on course to outstrip that of last year.
The forecast was made this week as beer buyers from retailers such as Tesco and Sainsbury's were courted by a delegation of US industry representatives at a conference in West London as part of the Great British Beer Festival.
The USBA is using the festival to raise the profile of US craft beer in Britain and has collaborated with UK-based beer importer Vertical Drinks to showcase 21 different beer brands from seven American brewers that have yet to secure formal UK distribution.
"Whether from the UK, the US or elsewhere, craft brewing is the heart and soul of beer. When they go to the supermarket, British beer drinkers deserve choice, variety and the opportunity to drink great beer," said Pease.
Vertical Drinks sales and export manager Andreas Falt added: "We want to remind consumers that not all US beer tastes like Budweiser."
Tesco had arranged listings for two beers from the Flying Dog Brewery in Maryland, from mid-August, said its world beer buyer Helen Greenfield.
"US craft beer has potential for growth in the UK because the breweries are producing some challenging and interesting products."
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