While California is internationally known for its wine, the craft and specialty brewing industry in California deserves recognition of its own. Just like California is the national hub for world-class wine, it is also “the birthplace of the American craft brewing movement and at the forefront of the industry’s growth,” according to California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA). They also state that as of January 2019, there are more than 980 craft breweries operating in the state.
Local breweries boost the state’s economy and provide tens of thousands of full-time jobs. Below we touch on the history of the California craft brewery movement and highlight a few of these small California businesses that deserve proper recognition.
California Craft Brewery Movement
The craft beer movement began in the Bay Area in 1965 and quickly spread throughout the state and the nation. In 1982, California was the second state in the U.S. that allowed breweries to sell beer and food on site. In 1990, there were less than 70 breweries operating in the state. In the span of nearly 30 years, that number has grown exponentially to include 980+ breweries and counting. Click here to see the CCBA’s rundown of the California craft beer history.
In the past five years alone, the impact of the craft beer industry in California has tripled. With breweries opening consistently, more people are becoming employed and the breweries continue to bolster the economy at the local and state level. But what exactly is a craft brewery? CraftBeer.com defines an American Craft Brewery simply as a small, independent brewer with a hallmark being innovation.
All of this showcases the incredible impact small businesses have at the local, state, and national level. We are proud to partner with several craft breweries throughout the state of California. Since there are so many breweries spanning the entire state, be sure to check out this website to find breweries, see which ones offer tours and tastings, and create your own brew trail. California’s tourism website, Visit California also has a list of featured California Breweries that can help you narrow down which ones to add to your bucket list.
If you own a small California business, be sure to read our blog on the importance of protecting your small business from property crimes. While this blog highlights the risks that Contra Costa small businesses face, the information and security solutions provided are universally applicable.