In its first year, Gun Hill Brewing has rolled out its Gold ale, made for easy, extended drinking; fruity ales tailored to warm weather and an award-winning stout. None of those varieties, though, has sold as well as Gun Hill’s India Pale Ale.
“Obviously, people like the flavor of it. But I think it’s become so popular because there are very few beers people can see and immediately recognize,” said Dave Lopez, co-managing partner of the Bronx, New York-based microbrewery.
The hop-heavy, high-alcohol brew has grown at a faster pace than the ever-expanding U.S. craft beer market. IPA sales in the 52 weeks ended Jan. 25 jumped nearly 50 percent from the previous year, according to IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm. The wider craft segment rose about 20 percent.
IPAs accounted for about a quarter of craft sales in that span. Fervor for the hop-heavy ale shows no signs of slowing.
“Everyone expects it to slow down, but it’s shown incredible growth,” said Bart Watson, staff economist at the Brewers Association…. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY AT CNBC
