CW Retail - Craft Brew Report

overwhelmingly dominated by local players. While a number of big beer acquisitions have certainly proven successful, some

products with a wide variety of brands and flavors for curious and thirsty millennials. But authenticity, experience and sense of community are not mere buzzwords—they are core Millennial Generation values. The most successful craft brewers will be those that embrace those values. Meanwhile, as more and more markets continue to see growth from this sector, the issue of quality real estate becomes even greater. This isn’t just from a locational perspective, but from a design perspective as well. The most successful concepts will be those that create a true sense of place wherever they are situated, whether they are a standalone destination, an industrial redevelopment, historic rehabs or even in traditional retail space.

craft breweries have actually faced negative backlash from their core

consumers after being acquired by larger conglomerates. Such backlash has occurred despite any commitment from those larger players to community involvement. It also reflects one of the potential pitfalls larger corporations face when dealing with millennials and their preference not just for authenticity but for local concepts over chains. As the craft brewing industry continues to evolve and meet the demand of its core customers, the winners will likely be those operators that produce excellent

ELLIS ISLAND CASINO & BREWERY LAS VEGAS , NV

One wouldn’t think that a funky, out- of-the-way, low-roller casino with a largely local clientele would be ranked as the top brewpub in Sin City, much less Nevada. But Ellis Island is ranked top in the state (by the National Brewer’s Association) and we think that the largely local clientele might have a lot to do with that. The place also has the best BBQ in town and a charmingly bizarre karaoke bar where patrons can take a break in between playing $3 Craps.

Craft Brew Retail Services Report

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