Craft beer brewing is flourishing in PA
By: James Tully
YORK, Pa. -- According to the Brewer's Association the economic impact of craft beer in Pennsylvania is nearly $2 billion a year.
While consumers are reaping the benefits of many new brews with local ties, many breweries themselves are experiencing success. In its 18th year of operation Appalachian Brewing Company is doing big things.
I think they always envision success I don't think they envisioned growth at this pace, Mike Parker, ABC's marketing manager said.
The company will soon undergo a $4 million expansion.
With the growth of our soda product and now moving our soda production out of Harrisburg to the west shore, we have all this room and what are we going to do at ABC? We're going to brew beer, Parker said.
They will be offering four new flagship beers in 2015. ABC's growth is right in line with craft beer production in the state, which right now is the second largest distributor in the country.
According to the Brewer's Association, Pennsylvania produced more than 1.7 million barrels of craft beer in 2013. The craft beer business is obviously booming and Parker has an idea why.
You have a beer; it's brewed with Appalachian spring water right here in Harrisburg, probably a couple miles from your house, once you try beer like this it's hard to go back to the big beers, Parker said.
Across town from ABC a much smaller operation also sees a bright future ahead.
Now everyone knows of and wants craft beer, we just happened to be right in the middle of that wave, Matt DePrato, co-owner of the Liquid Hero Brewery, said.
Liquid Hero, which is in York, has only been in operation since 2011, but plans to triple its distribution next year.
DePrato is from the area and said there's value in a local brew.
A lot of people like to get tied to that, they like to say I know those guys, I've been there, I've seen that brewery. That just creates one of the many favorites they'll hold in their index, DePrato said.
In addition to being local, the beer has to be good. Liquid Hero recently reached a medal round at the American Brew Fest.
For the Liquid Hero team right now this is a passion based business, they still have their day jobs. Of course they firmly believe that soon won't be the case.