1851

<div id="pastingspan1">In an age where hipsters decide what&#8217;s cool, the term &#8220;craft&#8221; has taken on an entirely new definition as mass production takes a seat to newer trends. Many say the craft beer movement actually revived the industry, and at the forefront are brands that innovate, not duplicate.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>We spoke with CEOs of two brands making a killing on the movement to find out why they&#8217;re on top and whether this trend is actually the future of the industry.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Drew French is the CEO of <a href="http://www.yourpie.com/your-franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=whats-next-in-craft-beer-2841" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Your Pie</a>, a brand that launched in 2008 when craft beer wasn&#8217;t prevalent in most areas of the country. In the most recent report, the Brewers Association announced the Craft Beer Market is worth $19.6 billion dollars&#8212;that&#8217;s a 22% growth in 2014 sales alone&#8212;meaning a big payday awaits those looking to enter a dominant market.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;Over the years, craft beer has grown exponentially and we have been very supportive of growing right alongside it,&#8221; said French. &#8220;We have really been on the front end of the craft beer movement, and as such, our beer sales as a percentage of sales are higher than the industry average.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>French doesn&#8217;t see any signs that growth of the industry is slowing down, and he believes adapting to that growth as more breweries are introduced in local markets is key to survival.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;I really sense that there is a tipping point in restaurants having the ability to go hyper local in terms of what beers they provide and support,&#8221; said French. &#8220;For example, we have locations that only offer beers from their state.  Some markets are close to having the ability to only serve beers from their city.  As more breweries open, there is more choice, but as with any highly competitive market, the customer is the one that wins.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>With the idea of the local market comes the passion today&#8217;s consumers have for supporting local brands. It&#8217;s no surprise that the &#8220;buy local&#8221; campaign supports retailors, but it&#8217;s also had a major effect on local ingredient sourcing.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>According to a 2014 Gallup poll, 45% of Americans actively try to include organic foods in their diets, leading many to stray away from the chain grocery stores and head to local farmers market.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;Today&#8217;s consumer is very connected and very conscious of supporting local,&#8221; said French. &#8220;They are also very sensitive to quality and authenticity.  Craft beer has all of these qualities. It&#8217;s a perfect combination that people get passionate about."</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><a href="http://brasstapbeerbar.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=whats-next-in-craft-beer-2841" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Brass Tap</a> has been another brand that started at the beginning of the trend and has worked its way up to become a prominent player in the industry. The Florida-based upscale craft beer and wine bar was founded in 2008 with a focus on becoming a host for local craft beer brewers across the country. In other words, craft is what they do.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;In our opinion, craft beer can never get too popular,&#8221; said The Brass Tap CEO Chris Elliot. &#8220;People who usually never drink beer love the variety of styles and exotic tastes that craft beer offers. We expect the popularity and usage of craft beer to grow indefinitely.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Elliot sees the growth of the industry as a success not only for the brewers who may not have been able to hit it big due prohibition restraints but also for restaurants and retailers offering more selective options.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;There are more breweries being built every day, more restaurants and retailors offering craft beer and more people drinking craft beer as a result,&#8221; said Elliot. &#8220;I guess you could say the industry is heading up. How far? Who knows, but there is tremendous growth momentum. One of the cool aspects of the craft beer culture is everyone involved is passionate about the product and want to see others who get involved succeed.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The Brass Tap typically offers a set of 60 draft beers that are usually made up of 15 &#8220;crossover&#8221; beers like Guinness and Stella. They also offer a variety of popular styles from around the world, such as Abbey Ales and Lambics from Belgium, Pilsners from Czech Republic, and IPAs, Porters, Stouts and local brews from the USA.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;Craft has made an impact because it&#8217;s better tasting beer with more variety,&#8221; said Elliot. &#8220;Craft beer offers a never ending path to different flavor experiences. We love to showcase locally brewed beer because it emphasizes each brewer&#8217;s unique style.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The craft beer movement has been a boon for Your Pie, but what&#8217;s next for the specialized pizza concept?</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;We are cooking up some great combinations in the kitchen,&#8221; said French. &#8220;The cool thing about pizza is that from a craft and creative standpoint, the sky is really the limit. I don&#8217;t want to let any cats out of the bag, so you&#8217;ll have to wait and see.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>As for The Brass Tap, business is flourishing thanks in part to the beer boom, so creating new recipes that keep consumers guessing is a key component to its success.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;We are brewing beer on site now in 3 of our 30 locations and we are very pleased with the results,&#8221; said Elliot. &#8220;We are still in the testing phase of brewing in house but don&#8217;t be surprised if you see it in lots of Brass Taps over the next few years.&#8221;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>To learn more about Your Pie, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://yourpie.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=whats-next-in-craft-beer-2841" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">yourpie.1851franchise.com</a>.</div>

1851 Franchise

Industry experts tell us their thoughts on the future of a trend that’s become a movement.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

What’s Next in Craft Beer?    

whats-next-in-craft-beer

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Unlocking the Potential: How Much Can You Earn as an Onigilly Franchisee?

unlocking-the-potential-how-much-can-you-earn-as-an-onigilly-franchisee

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno 

Grease, Grit, and Growth: DeWitts Ignite New Chapter for Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions in Reno, Nevada

grease-grit-and-growth-dewitts-ignite-new-chapter-for-filta-environmental-kitchen-solutions-in-reno-nevada

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-50 Unit-Wendy's-Franchisee-June-2025

Why This 50 Unit Wendy’s Franchisee Is Betting on Layne’s for His Next Big Move

wendys-franchisee-expands-with-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

CapitalSpring

CapitalSpring’s Jim Balis Talks Growth, ROI and the Future of Fast Casual on “Rock My Restaurant”

capitalsprings-jim-balis-talks-growth-roi-and-the-future-of-fast-casual-on-rock-my-restaurant

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Ramps Up Growth in First Half of 2025 With Strategic Expansions, Franchise Signings, and New Headquarters

childrens-lighthouse-ramps-up-growth-in-first-half-of-2025-with-strategic-expansions-franchise-signings-and-new-headquarters

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

From Franchisee to Franchisor: How Howard Picker Is Using His Experience to Drive Sustainable Growth at Floyd’s 99

howard-picker-floyds-99-barbershop-franchise-franchisor-hot-seat

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

HTeaO Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-hteaos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

What’s Next in Craft Beer?

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS