Craft beers are becoming more popular in Ireland and microbreweries producing Irish craft beer are springing up all over the country. When it’s all quantified, where does the industry stand?

Minister Simon Coveney recently launched the first official development and economic impact report on microbreweries in Ireland.

The report was researched and written by economic consultant Bernard Feeney and commissioned by the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (ICBI), an association set up earlier this year. Seamus O’Hara, spokesperson for the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (ICBI) and of Carlow Brewing Company, commented at the launch:

“Having witnessed the extraordinary growth and development within this industry over the past few years, it is a vital step for us, as Irish craft brewers, to set up an official association. A natural first step of an association is to establish an official piece of research on what impact its industry is having on both the national economy and on its operational market.”

This report had some very interesting findings - see graph in images.