While American consumption of beer is reportedly declining, the craft beer industry has a good head of steam.

In the last decade, craft brewery businesses expanded by a factor of six; with the number of jobs within the industry growing at a 120 percent rate.

According to a Pew Research report, the craft beer industry grows at an annual rate of 13 to 14 percent. In 2008, these breweries accounted for only 4.2 percent of all beer sales. That nearly doubled by 2014.

says the popularity of craft beer mostly rests in the drinker’s desire for local flavors. Locally-made is somewhat or very important to 60 percent of craft beer drinkers.

There is big money to be made in the craft beer business.

The

from 2017 shows South Dakota is ranked 13th per capita, with 28 breweries. That’s a solid jump from the five craft breweries in 2011.

Production, however, is only 18,196 barrels a year, just under a gallon for every person 21 and older in the state. That ranks the state last in production; with an economic impact of $209 million.

KOTA TV Black Hills Brewery VIP Pass The Black Hills Brewery VIP Pass allows you to travel to all of these local breweries and get a one-time Buy-One-Get-One Free deal on any beer of equal or lesser value. Once your deal is redeemed, the brewery will punch your pass, and you’re off to your next destination. Click here for the pass. 2019 Black Hills Brewery VIP Pass Destinations Crow Peak Brewing Company: 125 West Highway 14 Spearfish, http://www.crowpeakbrewing.com/ Dakota Point Brewing: 405 Canal St. Suite 1200 Rapid City, http://www.dakotapointbrewing.com/ The Knuckle Brewing Company: 918 Harley Davidson Way Sturgis, http://www.theknuckle.com/brewery.html Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company: 140 Mt. Rushmore Road, Custer, https://mtrushmorebrewingcompany.com/ Sawyer Brewing Co.: 2537 Yukon Place Spearfish, https://www.sawyerbrewingco.com/ Sick-N-Twisted Brewing Company: 23851 Highway 385 Hill City, https://www.sickntwistedbrewery.com/ Spearfish Brewing Company: 741 N. Main St. Suite 130 Spearfish, https://www.spearfishbrewing.com/