USA, CT: Five breweries added in Connecticut in 2017

Connecticut added 14 breweries to its budding craft beer industry in 2016, bringing the total number of operating breweries to 49 by year's end, according to the latest data from the Brewers Association, a national trade organization. Five more breweries have since been added in 2017, Hartford Courant reported on August 18.

The number represents a 40 percent increase over 2015, and the state has tripled its amount of breweries since 2011, the data shows. Still, Connecticut ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to production levels and economic impact.

The state ranks 29th in the number of breweries per capita. The breweries had an economic impact of $569 million in 2014, the last year for which data is available. The breweries produced an estimated 129,825 barrels of craft beer last year, which ranks 30th in the nation and 31st in gallons per alcohol-eligible adult.

In New England, too, Connecticut still lags behind, despite its surge in recent growth. Vermont is a national leader when it comes to craft beer, leading the nation in its amount of breweries per capita and their production. Maine is also in the top 10 in all three categories, and only Rhode Island produces less craft beer per capita than Connecticut in New England.

Bart Watson, the chief economist for the Brewers Association, said the state has seen growth in production that has been much stronger than the national average. Part of that, though, is because the state is catching up from a smaller base of breweries.

"I do think we're going to see more growth in Connecticut," said Watson. The state had 93 federal licenses as of the end of June 2017. The federal license is the first step in opening a brewery, Watson said, and it would seem to indicate more breweries are on the way.

Connecticut hasn't climbed the ladder in terms of state rankings, but Watson said it's unusual for states to dramatically change their position nationally. Only states who dramatically change their regulatory structures see significant changes, he said.

In 2012, Connecticut took a step in that direction when it passed a law that eased restrictions mandating breweries sell food in addition to beer.

Brewers in the state said the growth has been noticeable in recent years.

"It seems like every couple months there's an influx of breweries opening up," said Ben Braddock, the owner of Hartford's Hog River Brewing Co.

The growth is cause for optimism, Watson and Braddock said.

"We're a small state ... Connecticut is a little bit behind the eight ball," Bratton said. "It takes a long time to catch up, and Connecticut is finally starting to do that."

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