Well, it seems Europeans will finally have American beer worth celebrating.  Not that I’m against A-B, Coors or Miller brews, they’ve just become a little stale over the years.  It’s high time American craft brewers showed the world what they’re made of.  We’ve heard for years about German, Irish and other European microbrews being so wonderful - it’s high-time Europe learned there’s more to American beer than just Budweiser.  Apparently, Europeans have heard this call and are bringing more and more American craft beer into their pubs, bars and restaurants.

Bier and Co. (Holland’s largest specialty beer importer/distributor) is largely repsonsible for the flow of American craft beer into Europe.  Earlier this year they purchased 4 containers for distribution into the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Italy and Switzerland.

The Brewers Association’s Export Development Program toiled long and hard to establish a relationship with Bier and Co. that has seen thousands of gallons of craft beer imported from the U.S. and into the hands of European craft beer enthusiasts.  Early in 2006 the Brewer’s Association brought two representatives from Bier and Co. to the Great American Beer Festival to educate them about U.S. craft beer.  They were so pleased, they quickly placed a large order numerous American craft beers.

The Brewers Association has spent the last 3 years working to educate craft brewers on distribution opportunities abroad.  European, well known for it’s numerous craft beer enthusiasts, is a prime market for these often small breweries.  It’s a great way for them to grow their business’ bottom line, as well as their brand awareness.  It’s also a great way to grow international attention to amazing brews created by small breweries right here in the United States.

For more information about the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program please visit :

http://www.beertown.org/craftbrewing/edp.html