Small-time craft brewers have continued to outperform industry titans in the US beer market in 2009, figures show.

Sales of craft beers in the US rose by 7% in volume and by 10% in value, to US$7bn, for the 12 months of 2009, compared to 2008, according to trade body The Brewers Association.

The figures compare favourably to volume sales declines of around 2% for industry leaders Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors in the US in the same year.

Paul Gatza, director of The Brewers Association, said: “Americans have an increasing appreciation of craft beers, and the growing number of brewers behind them. They’re eager to try the latest seasonal release and to sample a variety of beers from different breweries.”

Craft beers represent around 4% and 7% of total beer market volume and value respectively in the US.

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