2007-05-03 11:21:23 -

BOULDER, Colo., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- American Craft Beer Week is May 14-20 and recognizes America's small, independent and traditional brewers and contributions the craft beer community makes to our economy, culture and history.

Craft beer and food pairings, special-release beers, firkin-keg tapings, single-release cask-conditioned ales, special brewery tours, and make-your-own American craft beer are just some of the offerings by participating breweries. For a list of events, visit http://www.americancraftbeerweek.org/.

"America's small brewers are part of a movement, a shift in consciousness, and the trading up of what beer people drink,"

stated Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association for America's small brewers.

The theme of American Craft Beer Week is "Visit your local brewery" in an effort to highlight the nearly 1,400 craft breweries. With at least one in every state, the average American lives within 10 miles of a brewery.

In 2006, over 125 craft brewers had specific American Craft Beer Week celebrations and the entire craft beer community celebrated House Resolution 753 that recognized, among other things, the 33,000 jobs the industry provides.

This year, the formation of the Congressional Small Brewers Caucus has generated much excitement on Capitol Hill. Co-chaired by Oregon Congressmen Peter DeFazio and Greg Walden, this group will provide an important forum for Congressmen to discuss issues facing craft brewers.

Over the past three years, craft beer sales have grown 31.5 percent. According to scan data from Information Resources Inc. craft-beer is the fastest-growing segment of alcohol in the supermarket sales channel, surpassing other beer, wine, and spirits with a 17.8 percent increase in dollar sales for 2006.

Based in Boulder, Colo., the Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for- profit trade and education association for American craft brewers and the community of beer enthusiasts. The association's activities include events and publishing: World Beer Cup(R); Great American Beer Festival(R); Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America(R); National Homebrewers Conference; National Homebrew Competition; American Craft Beer Week (May); Zymurgy magazine; The New Brewer magazine; and books on beer and brewing. The Brewers Association has an additional membership division of 11,000+ homebrewers: American Homebrewers Association.

http://www.americancraftbeerweek.org/

Source: Brewers Association