World of Beer chain coming to Milford

Team "What's the Scoop," including, from right, Stefanie Suppa, Kerilyn Whitehead and Maureen Mehner pose for a photo with a World of Beer employee during the Urban Scavenger Race at Harbor Point in Stamford, Conn., on Saturday, September 13, 2014. less Team "What's the Scoop," including, from right, Stefanie Suppa, Kerilyn Whitehead and Maureen Mehner pose for a photo with a World of Beer employee during the Urban Scavenger Race at Harbor Point in Stamford, ... more Photo: Lindsay Perry Buy photo Photo: Lindsay Perry Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close World of Beer chain coming to Milford 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

The World of Beer chain is coming to Milford.

The newest location, which will also center on a diverse selection of local and global craft beers, is expected to open next spring in the Connecticut Post Westfield Mall. The announcement was made by Attitude Beer Holding Co., a subsidiary of Harrison, Vickers, & Waterman.

The World of Beer Tavern will occupy over 5,000 square feet of space in the mall. Construction is set to begin next January.

"We are very pleased to announce the construction of our next World of Beer Tavern, having just opened our West Hartford, Conn., location in January," said Roy Warren, CEO of Harrison, Vickers, & Waterman. "We are currently in discussions for additional locations in the Connecticut and metro Boston area, with our goal to open as many taverns as possible in a strategic and prudent manner."

The first World of Beer tavern opened in Tampa, Fla., in 2007. The chain has since grown to 70 locations in 18 states, including one in Stamford.

The Brewers Association, the national organization that represents the interests of small and independent craft brewers in the U.S., reports the craft beer industry averaged 10.9 percent growth over the past decade, according to a news release. Of the 2,822 breweries operating in 2013, craft breweries represented 2,768, or 98 percent of the total.

In 2014, the overall beer market produced $101.5 billion in sales with the craft beer market responsible for $19.6 billion, up from $14.3 billion in 2013.