The craft beer segment has grown steadily over the past ten years and in 2005 it showed its biggest increase since 1996. The strong growth in craft beer sales over the past several years shows American consumers' continuing interest in flavorful American beers.

The passion of craft-brew drinkers is far higher than that of normal beer drinkers. They feel like they're helping out their local brewery.

Craft beer volume growth far exceeded that of large brewers, wine and spirits in 2005. And even though imported beer grew nicely in 2005, craft beer grew at a faster rate.

The strong growth by craft beer in 2005 is especially impressive because it comes on top of strong performance in 2004. Craft beer clearly leads the beer industry in consumer appeal.

There's an overall cycle, but I think the beer industry will keep up. Wine and spirits are popular for a few years, then they go out of fashion. Everything just seems to have collided right now.

Their level of loyalty pretty much exists to the next thing they want to do. I think that bodes well to getting out of this corporate beer mentality.